Bridport's Litter Pick & Crabbing!

Our amazing young people at Space Bridport had a day trip out to clean up and do some litter picking for their local community. Zoe S has written a report of the day alongside pictures taken by Zoe B!

Our Bridport group recently hosted a day out which was a fantastic opportunity for the young people to meet up and have a wonderful time while still making a contribution to the local area. The day turned out to be a delight and was enjoyed thoroughly by all. The group met beside the river at Askers Meadow before beginning our litter pick around the area to make a lovely and tranquil space even nicer for the community.

During the litter pick, we managed to cover multiple areas of field, seating and pathways before taking a well-earned break with a picnic. After our lunch, we began to set off on a walk through the Dorset countryside to West Bay. When we arrived, we began to go crabbing along the harbour. People had loads of fun doing the crabbing as well as naming the crabs after catching them. Dev, a member of the Bridport group, said that he most enjoyed the crabbing as we were all able to have a good laugh. It was a fun and relaxing activity. Ash said that everybody was having fun all day long and they enjoyed it all!

In the late afternoon, to round off the day, we sat together and ate chips and ice cream beside the chip kiosks with a lovely view of the boats docked at the harbour before heading back across the fields and back to the meadow to return home. We were all rewarded with the lovely weather and the smiles on everyone’s faces. Jane, a youth worker with Space Youth Project who came along, said that she really enjoyed being with everyone and seeing everyone have fun. It was a spot-on day.

Report by Zoe S

Photos by Zoe B

Pride 2022 - 50 years & counting!

2022 is the 50th Anniversary of the UK's first official Pride March, after two years of lockdowns and no in-person events we're finally back out and ready to spread some Pride!

This pride month, we've partnered with The Dolphin Centre in Poole to bring some Pride joy to all! They're written this super duper press release to promote the events, take a read to learn all about the upcoming festivities!

Dolphin Centre partners with Space Youth Project to celebrate Pride Month

The Dolphin Centre in Poole is partnering with local LGBT+ charity Space Youth Project, to provide support to the local community with various events throughout Pride Month this June.

On Saturday 11th June, from 10am – 6pm, The Dolphin Centre will be bringing back its dedicated support booth to provide a safe and confidential space for anyone to drop in and talk about LGBT+ topics

Helen Walsh, CEO of Space Youth Project, said: “The world has come a long way in recent years to provide more support and acceptance around people within the LGBT+ community, but there is still plenty of work to be done. To be partnering with The Dolphin Centre, a central hub for many people of all ages in Poole, is a wonderful opportunity to open up this conversation further to people that may not be as educated as others.

“We predominantly work with young people in the day-to-day, but we would like to open this support booth to anyone who may want to talk. Whether you are a friend, parent, grandparent or simply someone looking to learn more about the LGBT+ community, please do come say hello.”

The Dolphin centre will also be decorated throughout June with Pride flags and inspirational quotes from LGBT+ activists, to celebrate the month.

Space Youth Project will also be hosting three free Thursday afternoon sessions in GATHER across Pride Month from 3:30pm – 6pm on 9th, 16th and 30th June. A selection of creative activities will be taking place including badge making, and pottery decorating, while also providing a safe space for open conversation with members of the Space Youth Project team.

John Grinnell, Centre Manager at The Dolphin Centre, said: “It’s important to us that we create a safe and welcoming space for all, and we are very pleased to be working with Space Youth Project to bring back our support booth.

“The Dolphin Centre will be transformed top to tail into a celebration of Pride, and we are all very much looking forward to continuing to help those who may need some extra guidance.”

For those looking to support the services provided by Space Youth Project, donation points are stationed throughout the Dolphin Centre.

Fore latest information, please visit www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk

To learn more about Space Youth Project visit: www.spaceyouthproject.co.uk

Space Youth Project

Space Youth Project is a charity supporting young LGBT+ people and their families since 2001. The charity has five regular, free youth groups across Dorset which are open to any lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or questioning young person under the age of 25.

Space Youth Project also offers one-to-one support, family support, workshops for schools, colleges or youth groups, and professional training. They have a wealth of expertise in supporting this marginalised group, their families, and others who want to be more inclusive, loving, kind and understanding.

The Dolphin Centre

Legal & General acquired Dorset’s largest indoor shopping centre, the Dolphin Shopping Centre, in 2013 and it is set to become its flagship centre in the south in the coming years.

Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets (Legal & General) has committed to evolving Poole’s current retail offering, to act against the national declining landscape.

For more information about the Dolphin Shopping Centre, please visit www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk

For press enquiries contact: Venita Cutler, Liz Lean PR

Venita.cutler@lizleanpr.co.uk 01202 112041

Lesbian Visibility Week

Lesbian Visibility Week has been annually celebrated since 2008, and this year it runs from Monday 25th April to Sunday 1st May, with Lesbian Visibility Day celebrated on the 26th of April. The event was created to recognise, celebrate and importantly support lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women across the UK and beyond to be comfortable as their true selves in all aspects of their lives. It’s a chance to focus on the ‘L’ of ‘LGBT+, looking to the past history that got us to where we are today, the present triumphs in progress, and what can be done in the future to ensure there is full equality and acceptance. It is important that all members of the lesbian community are validated, including those that are non-binary, transgender, and from marginalised communities.

There is not always an awareness of the difficulties that lesbians can face and why they need extra appreciation and validation. It can be tough on mental health because there is still prejudice and misunderstanding about this sexuality, with the added prejudice of facing sexism. Research has shown that gay women are almost twice as unlikely to be out in the workplace as gay male colleagues. The word ‘lesbian’ can be uncomfortable for people to use or can be used as a joke or an insult. And the media, for example films and television, particularly reality tv, are still behind on representation, or accurate representation, of lesbian relationships, and can portray them as being over sexualised, for the benefit of the straight male audience.

There can be a strain put on mental health, because of the pressures of either coming out or keeping identity and relationships hidden, worrying about not meeting expectations, and fearing prejudice and homophobia. There can be a sense of shame felt about having feelings or attraction for someone the same gender, or confusion and guilt. It can be lonely and isolating, particularly on young people. So it can make a huge positive impact when you have supportive people around you that accept and affirm your identity. There is great positivity to be found in realising this is who I love, and this is who I am. I am not alone in how I feel and there are many others who are just like me in not feeling attraction or romantic feelings towards men.

Looking after your mental wellbeing and building your sense of self-worth can be extra important as a lesbian, as well as being kind to yourself and being able to find self-acceptance. At Space Youth Project we are committed to being a supportive, understanding and freeing space for LGBT+ young people, including those identifying as lesbian. There are many ways to get involved with space, including regular, free youth groups across Dorset, special events and school talks, 1 to 1 support and counselling, and through social media, all of which you can find more info about on our website.

Mind Out (mindout.org.uk) is a mental health service aimed specifically at those who are in LGBT+ communities, or have a relationship with someone who identifies as LGBT+.

And Dorset Mind Your Head (www.dorsetmindyourhead.co.uk) have plenty of helpful resources, information and support available on mental well-being for young people.

In summary, lesbians are valid, important, and completely deserving of respect and acceptance!

Sources / links:

https://www.lesbianvisibilityweek.com/

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/7-lesbians-open-about-importance-visibility-2019

Written by Katie, in collaboration with Dorset Mind Your Head