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Outreach youth was set up in 2004 by a small group of young people and a youth worker who realised the need to establish LGBTQ youth spaces in Ipswich and across Suffolk for young people under-19 who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or are questioning their sexuality.
Outreach youth currently provides:
- A fortnightly LGBTQ under-19 session in central Ipswich
- Regular drop-in sessions in Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds
- One-to-one support and advocacy
- The Outreach youth website
- One off special events and activities
- A LGBTQ resource library for young people, families and professionals
- Training and workshop sessions for young people and adults working with young people
- Opportunities for LGBTQ young people in Suffolk to become involved with other LGBTQ young people and organisations locally, nationally and internationally
Our Friday night session in Ipswich is a great way to end the week and begin the weekend - from 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm, young LGBTQ people can meet in an informal, safe and supportive atmosphere.
The first part of the session - 6.00pm - 6.30 pm is when everyone just meets up, chills out, chats, and uses the computers. Between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm, there is at least one organized activity going on that you can choose whether or not to join in with.
The programme for the Friday session is planned by the young people a few months in advance. Sometimes if something comes up, we change the programme and add new things - there are always games, art stuff, magazines and books available and people to chat with if you just feel like chilling out.
There are workers and volunteers on hand to talk to and look after everyone. But because the drop-in is busy, if you know you'll be wanting to talk one-to-one with a worker, it's much better to book some individual time outside the session. Outreach youth arranges a variety of activities, workshops, games nights etc during the drop-in. Occasionally we'll all go out as a group for a BBQ on the beach, visits from other LGBTQ groups, bowling and a walk in the country etc.
As often as possible we organise at least one residential trip each year for members of the group. We let you know about these well in advance. We also try and make these accessible to everyone.
