As a result of multi-agency working, but in particular the work of Lesbian Information Service, research was conducted with lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people and agencies in Calderdale. The findings suggested specific needs for this group which were not being met by the majority of services. An extensive list of recommendations were made based on the research findings, the voices of young LGB people and over 30 agencies who attended a one-day seminar where the findings were presented.

As a result of this GALYIC (Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale) and the Inter Agency Group (IAG) were set up: the former to provide direct support to LGB young people in Calderdale through provision of a range of services, the latter to encourage agencies in Calderdale to become more accessible. Funding was limited to small grants (Community Education, Calderdale Community Foundation) and much of the work in the first year (July 1999-June 2000) was done on a voluntary basis by Lesbian Information Service (LIS).

Funding to develop the work of GALYIC this year came from Community Education in the form of one part-time youth work session per week (40 weeks) and small grants towards running costs and resources. A successful bid to Comic Relief has provided GALYIC with £62,000 to employ two half-time workers for the next two and a half years. Community Education are still providing one part-time youth work session.

Five thousand pounds was awarded to LIS by Joint Finance to help make agencies more accessible through the publication and distribution of the booklet "Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale." Other 'bits' of funding have come in the form of grants for specific projects from the HimP Community Chest, Calderdale Involvement Project and Calderdale Community Safety Partnership.

Various financial sytems were set up in the first year. Due to the turnover of money, GALYIC now employs a book-keeper. The Income and Expenditure Account shows that GALYIC had an income of £16,358.30 and an expenditure of £12,571.47.

There has only been one member of staff, Jan Bridget, who was employed first as the Senior Youth Worker (one part-time youth work session) and later as one of the half-time workers. There were no applications for the half-time male post and this is about to be readvertised. Jan has resigned from the one part-time session and a new sessional worker is about to be appointed. Jan has been supported by several volunteers who have helped out at the youth group and has received supervision from Community Education. Two of the volunteers are currently attending the Calderdale part-time youth work training programme.

Members of staff from other agencies have been involved in the various GALYIC projects e.g. Health Promotion, Probation Service, MSM and volunteers from HAGG (Halifax Area Gay Group) and Leeds Lesbian and Gay Switchboard.

GALYIC management committee comes from its membership. Thanks go to Damien who has been treasurer since August 1999 but who resigned this year. Paula has taken over as treasurer. Thanks go to her and the other trustees: Julie, Louise and Jayne. Part of criteria for the Comic Relief funding is to develop the skills of the management committee. GALYIC is looking for people with appropriate skills and experience who are willing to be co-opted onto the management committee to act as mentors; co-optees do not have voting rights.

GALYIC have moved for the third time this year. Thanks to Community Education for providing use of premises and to the Leaving Care Project. The telephone number has remained the same (01422.320099), as has the address (P.O. Box 8, Todmorden, Lancashire, OL14 5TZ). It is important that GALYIC find a permanent base which can develop its own identity in much the same that other youth centres are able to and can provide an office for the workers.

New equipment has been acquired in the form of a filing cabinet, shredder and most recently a lap-top computer, printer and software. Various administrative systems are in operation and it is hoped the new equipment and new premises will facilitate better maintenance of these. However, administrative support, similar to that available to other youth groups, is desperately needed.

Copies of the booklets 'i think i might be a lesbian...now what do i do?' and 'Young Gay Men Talking' have been acquired and several distributed to relevant agencies.

Several books and videos have been added to the GALYIC resources which are regularly used by members. Until GALYIC have its own website the ACTION research report and annual reports, as well as other relevant publications, are available on the LIS website: www.lesbianinformationservice.org This unique website makes around five megabytes of relevant information accessible to workers and individuals in Calderdale and worldwide.

Twenty-two young LGB people from Halifax, Brighouse, Elland, Sowerby Bridge, Hebden Bridge and Todmorden have used the GALYIC services this year. Some of these were involved last year but many have accessed GALYIC this year for the first time. Increasing membership is a criteria for second year funding from Comic Relief.

Services have included: Drop-in; helpline; one-to-one; advocacy; referral; activities (trips, surveys, music, conferences, discussions, website); outreach. Whilst an assortment of services have been provided by GALYIC, much of this has been limited by lack of funding and staff shortages. A lot of the support has been via the Drop-in/Support Group but several members have been extremely vulnerable and required a lot of one-to-one support.

Transport remains a problem but one of the volunteers has just passed the mini-bus test. A transport scheme is currently being discussed.

A significant amount of networking has taken place this year both with regard to local and national LGB organisations but more especially with local mainstream agencies via the Calderdale Lesbian and Gay Inter Agency Group and various GALYIC projects. In fact the list of agencies worked with is very impressive. This has come as a result of training and information provided by funding for project work.

The training paid by, and delivered to, Calderdale Youth Service has been particularly important in building up links with other Youth Service provision. This is a unique training programme and a first for Calderdale (if not for Britain). It consisted of three sessions which incorporated five of the main areas of oppression (race, gender, class, disability and homophobia) over three terms and looked at the causes and effects followed by an opportunity to develop unit action plans. Over 150 people went through the programme which is part of an Access Model developed by Lesbian Information Service. A report is to be compiled and made available from Community Education.

The NUT national conference on Homophobic Bullying and the Kirklees Homophobic Hate Crime conference were particularly useful in making contacts and acquiring information.

Publicity has again been a major headache with appropriate organisations, e.g. schools, refusing to display posters. Nevertheless, there has been good media coverage, especially an article in the Todmorden News and Hebden Bridge Times which looked at what it was like living and growing up in Calderdale as a young lesbian/gay man.

Monitoring, financial, administrative and management systems have been set up but due to lack of administrative support, many of these have not always been kept up-to-date. The questionnaire adapted for the original research project is used as a needs assessment tool: responses help to identify areas where support/referral is needed as well as adding to the original data which is useful for funding applications. Again, this is probably a unique tool which could be utilised by other LGB projects. However, due to staff shortages the system has not been fully used. Courses and projects have all included an evaluation form; the Connexions survey and Annual Review have provided opportunities to evaluate services.

This booklet, the first of its kind in Britain, has been very well received locally and nationally. The successful launch, on a day in October when the weather was atrocious, included support from Alice Mahon, Halifax MP, Councillor Michael Taylor, and the Mayor of Calderdale Councillor Graham Hill. The star of the launch was 15-year-old Zoe who told an audience of forty people what it was like being bullied at school and the effects this had on her, including dropping out of school for almost a year. West Yorkshire Police have agreed to print a further 1,000 copies but this may not be sufficient.

Funding from the HimP Community Chest enabled GALYIC to provide homophobia awareness training for NHS Staff and housing agencies as well as organising the third Homophobia Awareness from a Multi-Oppression Perspective training module to be run in Calderdale: this is one of the most successful modules run to date with nearly half of the participants being out lesbians/gay men. The organisation of a one-day conference at Northowram Hospital on Lesbians, Gays and Mental Health was another first for Calderale and major success. Around 40 workers attended the day and the evaluation suggests the event was a huge success. Participants identified the need for further training.

This has been the most difficult project. The main problem has been clarifying with various agencies what exactly was expected, then to marry these expectations with those of the group. Widening the Inter Agency Group to include work with LGB people of all ages has been a bi-product of this process.

The health project has the potential to influence the provision of services in Calderdale in particular by feeding into the various strategic policies and plans. If funding is made available it is hoped to set up Task Groups for the main areas of health concern: Older LGBs, Young LGBs, Dependency and Related Issues (Cancer, Heart Disease), Sexual Health and Relationships. The Mental Health Task Group (see below) is in the process of being set up and the Community Safety Task Group (see below) has been meeting for several months. It is likely that as needs are identified, other task groups will be set up.

This process will, it is hoped, begin to built a more visible lesbian and gay community in Calderdale, especially in Halifax. As a way of consulting LGB people the Health Task Group are organising the first ever Calderdale Lesbian and Gay Pride. It will take place on 30^th September at the Square Chapel, Halifax and will provide fun activities alongside workshops examining health issues and presentation of the homophobic hate crime survey as well as the draft lesbian and gay health action plan.

Leading on from the successful one-day conference, this project will enable a comprehensive report of the Conference to be published and distributed and an LGB Mental Health Task Group set up. The purpose will be to encourage the Mental Health Service to provide better and more relevant services to LGB people in Calderdale.

This Executive Summary begins with three poems written by a member of GALYIC who was queer bashed last year. His experience encouraged GALYIC to apply for funding to develop a lesbian and gay community safety plan. Two-hundred-and-sixty questionnaires have been distributed and it is hoped that at least one-fifth will be returned completed. Again, this is a first in Calderdale and should lead to better support for LGB people who experience homophobic hate crime. Whilst it is hoped that the bombing of the Admiral Duncan pub in Soho will never be repeated elsewhere, with the greater visibility of LGB people and the development of a visible community in Calderdale homophobic crime is likely to increase. This is certainly suggested by the number of personal experiences that are beginning to be told.

Persistency regarding funding applications has paid off this year with the award of a major grant from Comic Relief. Whilst there has been funding from local sources this has taken up a lot of time. Much of the project work should be core funded.

This year has been hugely successful with a whole range of 'firsts' for Calderdale alongside the establishment of several Task Groups and wider involvement of LGB people. Let's hope the snowball of support continues to grow, that core funding will eventually be provided by the local authorities and that local services will begin to address the needs of the LGB citizens of Calderdale.

Thanks to: Comic Relief, Community Education, Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority, Calderdale MBC, Calderdale Involvement Project, Calderdale Community Safety Partnership; and the volunteers, agencies and individuals who have given support to the work of GALYIC, especially Alice Mahon. Last, but by no means least, to Damien, Jayne, Paula and Julie as well as other members of GALYIC.

This report is dedicated to Kelly Louise Hayes who died on Sunday, 22^nd July 2001 aged 20 years. Louise was a founder member of GALYIC and an active member of the management committee.

It is recommended that:

1. In 2003 GALYIC becomes an integral part of the Youth Service with appropriate management, supervision, administrative back-up, access to training, etc.

2. Local authorities (Calderdale & Kirklees Health Authority; Calderdale NHS Trust; Calderdale MBC) begin steps to make core funding available in 2003 when the Comic Relief funding is reduced, to:

• continue to employ the two half-time workers (female/male)
• provide appropriate premises to run youth support group from and provide office base for workers
• provide a transportation system which collects and returns members from around Calderdale

3. Local authorities incorporate the recommendations from Lesbian and Gay Health Action Plan within their strategic policies and plans and:

• Provide awareness training for all members of staff (NHS Trust, Health Authority, Social Services, voluntary organisations with priority to Mental Health Services and Alcohol/Drug Treatment Services.
• Give priority to developing appropriate and accessible services, in particular:

Mental Health

• Designate a specific mental health worker to cover LGB issues across Calderdale
• Ensure worker has appropriate training and support
• Worker to work with Mental Health Task Group to set up LGB Mental Health Support Group and develop appropriate mental health promotion strategies
• Provide grants to support work of Task Group and funding for a co-ordinator.
• Incorporate questions regarding sexual orientation within assessments (working with LGB Mental Health Task Group to devise) and refer as appropriate
• Examine possibility of research into suicide attempts/completions and self-harm to ascertain percentage of LGB people and other common factors

Addictions

• Designate a specific alcohol/drug treatment worker to cover LGB issues across Calderdale
• Ensure worker has appropriate training and support
• Worker to work with Addictions Task Group to set up LGB Coming off Addictions Support Group
• Incorporate questions regarding sexual orientation within assessments (working with Task Group to devise) and refer as appropriate
• Provide grants to support work of Task Group and funding for a co-ordinator.
• Examine possibility of research to ascertain percentage of LGB people and addictions and other common factors

4. All above recommendations to cover Child and Adolescent as well as Adult Services.

5. The recommendations from the Lesbian and Gay Community Safety Task Group report are incorporated into relevant strategies and

• Provision of awareness training for all staff (Police, Victim Support, Calderdale Community Safety Project, Women's Aid and any other relevant agency)
• Agencies develop policies to provide appropriate and accessible provision for LGB people
• Identify specific contact person in police force who has appropriate training
• Agencies to work with LGB Community Safety Task Group to develop:

• appropriate methods of reporting homophobic hate crime
• appropriate methods of supporting victims of hate crime
• appropriate methods of supporting victims of hate crime to attend court
• publicity to encourage LGB community to report hate crime

• Provide funding to support work of task group, including co-ordinator.

6. Given the amount of training that is going to be involved within each local authority and voluntary agency it makes sense both in economic terms and regarding a muli-agency approach, to create a post of Service Training and Development Officer (LGB Issues). Such a position to be funded by all of the local authorities (Health Authority, NHS Trust, West Yorkshire Police, Calderdale MBC). The post would include:

• providing awareness training for all statutory and voluntary organisations (with priorities e.g. mental health, alcohol/drugs, community safety, schools, etc)
• developing appropriate in-depth courses aimed at creating 'specialists' within each service/agency
• facilitate development of the Inter Agency Group and various Task Groups, including establishment of new Task Groups as and when necessary
• work alongside agencies to develop policies and procedures.

Such a post to be created as soon as possible to be based with GALYIC staff (for support and access to resources). This person might also manage GALYIC and supervise half-time workers.

Financial Implications: 1) New post of Training & Development Worker (JNC 3), immediately (all local authorities); 2) Re-allocating staff for specific LGB work (mental health, addictions); 3) Continuation of two half-time JNC2 posts from 2003 (Health Services, MBC); 4) Access to appropriate building may have funding implications.

J. Bridget, GALYIC, 30^th July 2001

In 1997 a worker from Calderdale Health Promotion Centre contacted the workers from Lesbian Information Service and MSM Project (Men who have sex with Men) to discuss the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people. The Lesbian Information Service (via their project LYSIS: Lesbian Youth Support Information Service) was already supporting a group of young lesbians and invited them to a meeting. It was agreed to set up ACTION for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in Calderdale. The main aim of ACTION was to acquire funding and conduct research with young LGB people as well as surveying agencies within Calderdale to assess the level of support available.

Lesbian Information Service successfully acquired funding from Calderdale Community Foundation, the Rural Development Commission and Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority. Other agencies became involved (Community Education, Sexual Health Centre) and other LGB individuals. In-depth interviews were completed with fifteen young LGB people and a survey of over 40 agencies conducted. The results were disseminated at a one-day seminar attended by around 40 individuals/agencies and via a 140-page report. Two-hundred copies of the report were distributed to agencies and individuals throughout Calderdale and copies made available at libraries.

The survey revealed that there was no support targeted at LGB young people but that young LGB people growing up in Calderdale had specific needs around their sexual orientation, not least the need for support during the coming out period and access to information – especially when they were at school. This was a time when the majority of the participants felt lonely, isolated, depressed and suicidal. The majority said they would have liked some form of support group. (See Appendix A for up-dated findings and Appendix B for the list of recommendations.)

In July 1999, after publication of the original findings, two meetings were held: one with representatives of agencies and the second with young people who took part in the survey. As a result of these meetings two groups were set up: the Inter Agency Group and GALYIC (Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale).

The Inter Agency Group meets four times a year. The aims of the IAG were to:

• encourage agencies (voluntary and statutory) within Calderdale to make appropriate support available to lesbian, gay and bisexual young people;

• help to implement the local Recommendations within the ACTION Research Report;

• facilitate networking of agencies/individuals involved in this work;

• share examples of good practice;

• ensure that information from the IAG is fed back into the relevant structures/policies.

Membership

The idea is to eventually have representatives from all of the relevant voluntary and statutory agencies in Calderdale who provide services for young people. The aim is for this person to then feed back information into the structures of their organisations so that all appropriate members of staff (paid and voluntary, management and staff) are informed about the need to work with lesbian, gay and bisexual young people and what is available to support that work, e.g. training, resources, GALYIC, etc.

There is a core membership of about twenty workers who attend meetings; these include representatives from West Yorkshire Police, Community Education, Calderdale Mental Health Services, Relate, SmartMove Sexual, Health Services, MSM, Lesbian Information Service, Calderdale Personnel Department, Family Planning, Dashline, Careers Service Partnership, Calderdale Housing Department, Calderdale Youth in Partnership Scheme, Library Service, Jigsaw.

In order to maintain the impetus created by the ACTION research LIS applied to Joint Finance for £5,000 to produce a publication aimed at enabling workers from different agencies to better understand the issues facing LGB young people. West Yorkshire Police also contributed to this project by printing 1,000 copies of the booklet. The contents and style were agreed at the first IAG meeting and the booklet was launched in October 2000. (See 13.1)

The aims of GALYIC, agreed by its members, are to:

• provide safe and confidential support for young LGBs;

• provide a point of contact in order to eliminate feelings of isolation and develop a sense of community within Calderdale;

• raise the profile and awareness of LGB issues;

• educate both heterosexuals and LGBs on issues which concern LGBs;

• develop self-esteem and positive identity amongst LGB young people;

• value equal opportunities, recognise and appreciate differences; and

• enable LGB young people to develop skills and confidence to help them recognise themselves, and to be recognised by the authorities, as full and equal citizens.

To achieve the above aims, GALYIC will:

• be peer led;

• provide a range of services;

• promote healthy lifestyles;

• deliver a programme of activities (including social education), information and resources; and

• hold discussions with and provide training for other relevant organisations (schools, youth groups).

With help from Community Education in the form of free use of premises GALYIC began to meet at Ferguson Street in Halifax. Community Education then provided one part-time session.

During the first year of operation GALYIC management (members) worked hard to develop a constitution, opened a bank account, set up systems (book loans, finances, membership, minutes), agreed equal opportunities and befriending policies, monitoring and evaluation procedures, designed and distributed publicity and developed resources in the form of books and videos for loan.

Whilst the limited support from Community Education was much needed, it meant that GALYIC could only provide a weekly drop-in service which also doubled up as a helpline. Extra one-to-one work was conducted mainly on a voluntary basis. With such minimal funding, expansion of the work was impossible.

Some major problems, which significantly affected the work in the first year included:

• Lack of a second (male) worker.
• Lack of activities/programme.
• Insufficient financial support.
• Finding an appropriate venue.
• Transport.
• Lack of creche/baby-sitting facilities.
• Lack of publicity: difficulties encountered in distributing GALYIC poster.
• Low membership.

1. FUNDING

Funding for work with LGB young people has, because of homophobia, traditionally been hard to acquire. In fact, it is only within the last ten years that national funding bodies (e.g. the National Lotteries Board, Comic Relief, the Diana Trust) have begun to fund work with LGB people. The more traditional bodies still do not fund this kind of work. Again, it is only within the last decade that LGB organisations have been able to register with the Charity Commission. There have, of course, been some progressive local authorities, especially the London Boroughs, who have funded work with LGB young people for over twenty years.

Because local authority funding to support the work of GALYIC has been very limited, a huge amount of time has been spent on applying for grants to develop the work. This includes:

Community Education provided a further small grant (£300) to help towards running costs and have continued to provide one part-time youth work session. Originally two sessions were promised but the second session never materialised due to cut backs. They have acquired books and videos for GALYIC as well as providing a small grant (£200) to acquire information booklets for distribution to agencies (see 7) and travel expenses for members to attend conferences.

In the past CCF have supported the work of GALYIC (providing funding to help towards publicity), ACTION (funding towards the research) and Lesbian Information Service (funding to provide training for agencies in Calderdale). Because of this GALYIC optimistically applied for funding to acquire a computer, printer and software. However, the application was not successful. CCF encouraged GALYIC to apply to the Henry Smith Charity in the belief that they would be supportive but, again, the application was unsuccessful.

An application was put into the Princess Diana Trust to develop the work of GALYIC, produce a model training course to meet the needs of LGB young people which could then be made available to other LGB groups and to make agencies in Calderdale more accessible to LGB young people. Although the application got through to the second round, ultimately it was not successful.

The original bid to Comic Relief was a reduced version of the one submitted to the Princess Diana Trust. The bid was successful but the amount (£62,000 over three years) was less than what was originally asked for. This has meant that development of the model training course has been put on hold whilst funding to develop mainstream services in Calderdale is being sought elsewhere (see below). The Comic Relief grant is to employ two half-time workers with a small amount to go towards running costs. This took effect from April 2001. The second year funding is dependent on GALYIC having more users. Appendix C contains the application.

GALYIC was awarded £2,300 by CVA Community Chest (HimP) to continue distribution of the booklet 'Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale, provide homophobia awareness training and continue to develop the Inter Agency Group. (See 13.2)

GALYIC was awarded £2,700 by Calderdale & Kirklees HA Community Chest to provide interim funding and help towards the development of a lesbian and gay health action plan. (See 13.3)

£2,000 has been made available from the Calderdale Involvement Project to develop work around LGB people and mental health. (See 13.4)

GALYIC was awarded £2,500 to help towards the development of a Crime & Disorder Reduction Strategy with regard to Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual communities in Calderdale. (See 13.5)

First Sunday, an open mike session at Nelsons Wine Bar has donated … towards the work of GALYIC.

2.1 Petty Cash

A petty cash book and box were acquired in the first year of operation. A petty cash system is in operation.

Travel Expenses have been a problem. Petty cash has been used occasionally to enable members who are hard up to get home after the Drop-In. Currently there is no system to refund the travel expenses of the worker.

A system for volunteer expenses is currently being set up. One of the volunteers has recently been paid petrol expenses.

All receipts and invoices are kept. A bank account was set up in the first year and four members are signatories (two out of four).

As a result of the amounts of funding GALYIC have received this year a book-keeper is employed to produce annual accounts.

The income and expenditure account for this period can be found in Appendix D.

To date there has only been one worker (Jan Bridget) who has been employed firstly, as the senior youth worker (one part-time session per week) and since April 2001 as one of the half-time workers under the Comic Relief funding. The second half-time (male) worker has yet to be recruited as no-one applied the first time the post was advertised. Jan has also been employed on a freelance basis to continue the agency work. (See 13)

Jan qualified as a full-time youth and community worker in 1982, has worked as a Rural Youth Worker for Lancashire County Council; Youth Work Adviser for the National Youth Bureau; and, since 1987, has run Lesbian Information Service, until recently a national voluntary organisation. She has extensive experience of working with young lesbians having set up and run LYSIS (Lesbian Youth Support Information Service) for six years; conducted significant research in this field (young lesbians, lesbians and housing, lesbians and alcohol); developed homophobia awareness training and delivered it to many statutory and voluntary organisations around Britain; has compiled and written over 40 publications which are now available free via the LIS website launched this year: www.lesbinform.fsnet.co.uk; and developed probably one of the best research libraries on lesbian (and gay) issues in Britain.

Lesbian Information Service became a ‘not-for-profit’ business in January 2001. Jan’s work with LIS significantly enhances her local work and this year has included key-note speeches/workshops at several national conferences including: Strathclyde NHS World AIDs Day; Kirklees Regional Conference on Homophobic Hate Crime; and Schools Out National Conference in London. She co-chaired the second Lesbians Gays and Alcohol Conference in London and has been invited to give an input at the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement’s Conference on Christian Homophobia and Schools. This year her extensive training has included: completed teaching a module on Classism from a Multi-oppressive Perspective at the University of Manchester, Community and Youth Work Course; Bradford University, Post-graduate nurses; Wigan Social Services, Mental Health Team; Leeds University, student nurses. She will be one of the key-note speakers at a national conference later this year organised by North Warwickshire NHS on Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgendered People and Mental Health aimed at NHS managers.

Calderdale Community Education employed Jan to deliver a unique training programme on Anti-Oppression which looked at Classism, Racism, Sexism, Homophobia and Disableism; this was a follow-on from previous Homophobia Awareness training with full-time workers. The programme was delivered to most members of the Youth Service (over 150 staff) over three terms and included: Session 1: causes of oppression; Session 2: effects of oppression; and Session 3: how to develop anti-oppressive practice. A report is being prepared and should be available from Calderdale Community Education.

There are three volunteers, two are attending the Calderdale Community Education Part-Time training course, one of these is also attending the Homophobia Awareness from a Multi-Oppression Perspective Module.

Jan has resigned from the one part-time session which has recently been advertised; it is hoped to appoint a sessional worker shortly.

Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale Management Committee is made up of its members. At the moment there are twenty-two young people who use the services but only about eight attend the Drop-In/Support Meetings regularly. It is from these that the Management Committee are drawn. Meetings are held every month. Once membership is increased elections will be held.

Damien was the treasurer for GALYIC from July 1999 until this year. Currently Paula is Treasurer, Julie Secretary, Louise and Jayne joint chairs. One of the objectives under the Comic Relief grant is to develop the skills of the management committee.

Efforts are being made to co-opt experienced people to join the management group to provide mentors for the members. Such co-optees would not have any voting rights.

Currently the worker is being supervised by Patrick Ambrose of Community Education. However this role needs to be taken over by the management group. Management were involved in the appointment of Jan Bridget and will also recruit and appoint the second half-time (male) worker. They have also been involved in funding submissions.

Now that the office is at Forest Cottage and this is where the Drop-In is held, Calderdale Community Service health and safety regulations will apply.

The worker/s will need some training on these issues.

It is assumed that Public Liability Insurance is covered by Forest Cottage. This needs to be clarified. It also needs to be clarified if volunteers/workers are using their cars to give members lifts to the Drop-In that they have appropriate cover from their car insurance.

This policy needs clarification.

Up to August 2000 GALYIC had the free use of Ferguson Street (rented by Calderdale Youth Service). However, the owner of the premises wanted the building back and GALYIC had to find a new base. Because GALYIC is a Calderdale-wide project the aim was to try and keep the Drop-In in central Halifax so that participants coming from around the Borough would only have one bus-ride. Several possibilities were identified including: YMCA, Brunswick House and the Information Shop. However, these were either unavailable or inappropriate.

The Calderdale Leaving Care Project (LCP) offered the use of two rooms on a Wednesday evening for £10 per session. GALYIC moved into the LCP in September. A new telephone line was installed for use as a Helpline.

With the successful bid to Comic Relief and the employment of two half-time workers, an office base was essential (previously the part-time worker had worked primarily from her own home). The criteria was to find an office which would not cost the Project anything. Calderdale Youth Service offered use of space at Forest Cottage Community Centre; the telephone number has been transferred.

It made sense for the Drop-In to be based at the same place as the worker’s office for access to resources and the telephone. Members of GALYIC agreed to move the Drop-In to Forest Cottage in June 2001. GALYIC was going to use the Barn free of charge. However, the group felt that this was not appropriate (no windows or toilet, little space) so have decided to rent one of the rooms within the Community Centre. A rental price is being negotiated.

In the first year of operation basic stationery including letter-headed note paper, pens, writing paper, etc were acquired.

This year a filing cabinet and shredder were purchased as well as a lap-top computer, printer and software. The software includes Microsoft Works Suite and Microsoft Money 2000. This equipment and software will help a great deal towards developing administrative and financial procedures as well as enabling GALYIC to set up its own website.

6.2.1 Filing

It has been difficult keeping a filing system up-to-date because the filing cabinet was kept at the Drop-In whilst the worker worked from home and had a box of files. All of the files have now been brought together.

Having a computer has meant that a proper address system has been set up, in particular in relation to the IAG and various Task Groups. This makes sending minutes easier and quicker.

A system for keeping a record of the resources and loans was introduced in the first year of operation

Originally the minutes were taken in turn and the worker typed them up. Now they are kept in the Minute Book.

It is good practice to keep a day book. Whilst there have been attempts at keeping a day book up-to-date this has been difficult because of the lack an office base.

It is good practice to keep a record of incoming and outgoing post. Whilst there have been efforts to keep this up, again due to lack of an office base this has been difficult.

Having a computer for GALYIC with up-to-date systems will enable the group and the workers to be better organised. However this will incur further administration regarding back-up systems, etc.

The GALYIC telephone was situated at the Drop-In which meant it could only be used on a Wednesday evening. The worker has been using a private telephone (and incurring expenses). This will be avoided now that there is an office base with a telephone. There is an answer-machine.

One hundred and fifty copies of the booklets ‘I think I might be a lesbian … now what do I do?’ and ‘Young Gay Men Talking’ have been acquired; they are being distributed to agencies in Calderdale.

Until the GALYIC website is up and running, all of the information connected with GALYIC (e.g. ACTION Report, questionnaires, Annual Report) is included on the LIS website. This is regularly publicised to encourage agency workers to access the information. At the moment there is no counter on the website so it is not known how many people are accessing the site.

Thanks to support from Community Education several books and videos have been added to the resources. The worker acquired a large LGB flag from a bookshop in Canada. This contains a rainbow triangle on a black background. It is hoped to be able to get 'Gay and Lesbian Youth in Calderdale: 01422.320099' sewn in gold on the flag so that it can be displayed at events.

GALYIC has directly supported 22 young people during the course of the last year. Of these fourteen were young women and eight young men. Three young women and one young man were aged 15 years and below, another young man is 16 years old; all of the other members are aged 20 years and above. Members come from around Calderdale including Halifax, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden. More than half come from a working class background with several coming from poor, one-parent families. Five have mental health problems. One is mixed race. One is a carer, another a mother. Arrangements were made to meet two young men and one young woman but they did not turn up. It is important to acknowledge how much courage it takes to attend your first lesbian or gay event. Furthermore, not everyone wants the same services: some have attended the Drop-In to meet new friends and no longer attend on a regular basis but keep in touch with those who do. Some are not ready yet to attend the group meetings – it is important not to pressurise these young people, they will attend when they are ready (if that is what they want) whilst others attend the meetings and require a lot of one-to-one support and/or referral and support in accessing other agencies.

These young people learnt about GALYIC from a variety of sources including: telephone directory (GALYIC/LIS); referral from Youth Service, Tourist Information Centre, Mental Health Services, Supportive Lodgings Scheme, outreach work, Halifax Courier and through a friend.

These services have been available most Wednesday evenings between 7 and 9 p.m. with the exception of holiday periods and a few occasions when the worker was unavailable.

8.3.1 Leeds Hyde Out

The group visited Hyde Out, a regional LGB annual gathering in Leeds.

8.3.2 Phoenix FM

Members worked with Phoenix FM to do a programme on growing up lesbian/gay in Calderdale.

8.3.3 Surveys

Members of the group have taken part in the following surveys:

8.3.4 Music

Several members of the group play the guitar and sing. Some have been encouraged to perform at ‘First Sunday’ at Nelsons Wine Bar. On one occasion the group held a music night.

8.3.5 Conferences

Several of the members have attended conferences including one in Cheshire on LGB youth groups and one in London (Schools Out).

Discussions usually occur in response to the experiences of members. They have included: hate crime, relationships, coming out, sexual health, obsessions, poverty, effects of homophobia, alcohol and drug misuse. Each support group meeting usually begins with everyone sharing how they are feeling.

Members discussed the type of computer to acquire and it was agreed that a lap-top computer would be more appropriate as it could be used on different premises. The majority of the members can use computers. In the past we had access to a computer at Ferguson Street and members used this to write letters, funding applications. One of the volunteers (ex-member) is a graphic designer: she designed the GALYIC poster and letter headed notepaper and is currently on a website building course. Another volunteer (the treasurer) also has a wide knowledge about information technology. She helped the worker choose the lap-top. A local web designer (who did the LIS website) is going to help the group set up their own website: the idea is for him to show members how to do this; they will then have extra skills/experience. Several members have been surfing the internet to look at the websites of other LGB youth groups.

Once the website is up and running it is hoped this will provide another way that young LGB people in Calderdale can contact GALYIC (as well as the helpline and writing).

Members of the group often arrange to meet outside of the Drop-In time. For example, to go the lesbian disco, Nelson's Wine Bar. Many have mobile telephones and a system has been set up whereby they keep in touch by texting each other. It was agreed at a management meeting that GALYIC would acquire three mobiles to keep in a pool so that members who do not own a mobile can borrow one.

A high percentage of the work with GALYIC members is on a one-to-one basis. This is often in response to member’s situations. For example, the death of a family member, experience of homophobic hate crime, family problems, school drop-out, bullying in school, homelessness, mental health problems, accessing services, coming out to family/friends, problems with relationships, supporting offspring, internalised homophobia. Some of the members, especially those with mental health problems and the younger ones, have greater one-to-one needs. Issues are often identified via the assessment interview.

The questionnaire originally used for the ACTION research is used to interview new members. Members have a choice as to whether to take part in this process. The interview offers an opportunity for members to share and 'dump' negative homophobic experiences. It also provides an opportunity to highlight any specific needs for further counselling and/or referral. The questionnaire includes the following areas:

• Background: class, race, age, when know lesbian/gay/bisexual, location (town, city, rural), disability, size, ethnicity (Irish, Scottish, Polish, Italian, etc, and how culture affect), religion (and how affect), family/parents/in care, single, married, in relationship.

• Education: when left school, type of school, qualifications, training, access to information about homosexuality, pastoral, counselling, support, what hear about homosexuality from other pupils and in lessons, discrimination.

• Health: mental health: suicide, depression; gynaecological/male issues; AIDS, STD'S, pregnancy, abortion; alcohol/drug abuse, physical, verbal, psychological abuse, same-sex domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, access to services, counselling, GPs.

• Housing: discrimination, where live, what happened on coming out, running away, harassment, need for safe housing, need for supportive housing, what kind of housing like.

• Discrimination: outness, closet, passing.

• Support: family, friends, lesbian/gay friends, access to facilities (discos etc), isolation, information: books, music.

• Relationships: same-sex, opposite sex, sexual health, problems.

• Self Attitude/Identity: what think of self, what call self – lesbian, gay, bisexual, other, what hear about lesbians/gays/bisexuals, what believe, what think about homosexuality, butch, fem, whether think look gay.

• Law: police, section 28, prostitution, prison, probation service.

• Social services: use of, experience.

• Youth Service: use of, experience.

• Discrimination on any other grounds e.g. sex, race, class, disability, age, size, religion.

Attitudes and self-esteem questionnaires are also utilised to assess levels of internalised homophobia.

Having identified the needs of members these can either be met through group work; further one-to-one support; working with families or referral to other agencies.

8.6.1 Connexions Service

The worker has advocated on behalf of young LGB people in particular regarding the new Connexions Service on a local, regional and national level. Correspondence has been exchanged with the local MP Alice Mahon; Malcolm Wicks MP; Bob Williams and Paul Harper, Department for Education and Employment; Young People Now; the local Connexions Management Group, West Yorkshire Connexions Management Group.

The new Connexions Service has great potential to support LGB young people throughout England and Wales. However, at this point in time, apart from conducting a mapping exercise which should ascertain whether support for LGB young people is available and the promise of a commitment to equal opportunities. There is little knowledge about the training and level of awareness of personal advisers with regard to LGB young people; not training to date has happened in Calderdale.

8.6.2 National Children’s Bureau

The worker has taken part in research by the National Children's Bureau concerning young LGB people and running away from home.

8.6.3 Local Agencies

A significant amount of work has been conducted with local agencies (see 13) and in connection with one GALYIC member who was experiencing homophobic bullying at school.

8.7.1 The worker was invited to take part in an information day at Ridings School.

8.7.2 The Group visited one of the local pubs in Halifax that is frequented by LGB people to distribute flyers.

As Calderdale is a rural area transport is a problem for many residents, especially young people. GALYIC is a Calderdale-wide service. Because of transport difficulties – and because of different needs – it is important to provide a wide range of services. It is also important that the Drop-In service is accessible. Until more appropriate premises are available in central Halifax, the Drop-In will be based at Forest Cottage (please be careful with this information for security of members). It is therefore important to develop a transport system to make the Drop-in more easily accessible. One of the volunteers has just passed the mini-bus test which means the Community Service ‘Out and About’ mini-bus will be available for use.

Transport is a particular problem for the younger members. The mini-bus will be utilised for trips and special occasions. The group is currently looking at the possibility of those members with cars collecting other members. This will mean checking insurance cover and providing petrol expenses.

There are only a few LGB agencies/groups in Calderdale, these are:

10.1.1 Halifax Area Gay Group (HAGG)

HAGG has existed for over twenty years. It is a social group used primarily by gay men. The group meets every week in Halifax. One of the GALYIC volunteers was also a member of HAGG, because of this GALYIC have strong links with them. These links are maintained as HAGG is represented on the IAG and several of the Task Groups.

MSM (Men who have sex with Men), the local HIV/AIDs prevention project was one of the original agencies involved in ACTION. MSM continues to have links with GALYIC in particular via the IAG and several of the Task Groups.

A Lesbian Support Group has recently been set up at the Well Women Centre in Halifax. Links are maintained with the support worker via the IAG and Lesbian and Gay Health Action Task Group. As GALYIC (and LIS) are the only two lesbian/gay organisations in Calderdale in the local telephone directory they often receive calls from older LGB people wanting support. Female callers are referred to this group.

There are many lesbians who live in the Upper Valley who have moved there from other places. There are several 'ad hoc' lesbian groups but not a specific support group. Contact is made via a local (confidential) newsletter which has included invitations to join the various Task Groups and publicise GALYIC.

GALYIC have had contact with BLAGY (Bradford Lesbian and Gay Youth) and LesBiGay, the youth group in Huddersfield. There are also LGB youth groups in Leeds, Wakefield and Rotherham. It is hoped that in the near future GALYIC will visit these groups. A youth officer from York who is involved in re-establishing the LGB youth group there has visited the GALYIC worker. Workers from Barnsley are attending training (see Homophobia Awareness Module) and it is expected close links will be maintained.

10.1.6 GALYIC have made contact with members of Schools Out by attending their annual conference in London. In particular, links were made with an LGB youth group in Essex with the possibility of an exchange visit at some point in the future.

10.1.7 The GALYIC worker recently visited an LGB Social Services youth project in Toronto, Canada (whilst on holiday) this has led to the possibility of a future international exchange. The worker (Steve Solomon) is employed by, and based at, Social Services. He is responsible for supporting LGB young people, LGB teachers, children of LGB people and parents of LGB young people. Part of his role is also to work with the Triangle Project: a school for LGB young people who have dropped out of mainstream provision. Steve provided a lot of useful information to bring back to England, in particular policy documents.

10.2.1 GALYIC are members of Calderdale Voluntary Action and the worker has recently been voted onto their management committee.

10.2.2 Through the IAG and various Projects, GALYIC have developed strong links with many of the mainstream agencies (statutory and voluntary) in Calderdale.

10.2.3 Links have been made with the National Union of Teachers by attending their first ever seminar on Homophobic Bullying in London. See Appendix E.

10.2.4 Strong links have been established with Victim Support in Batley and the GALYIC worker attended the Homophobic Hate Crime Conference. See Appendix F.

10.2.5 GALYIC have good links with the local MP, Alice Mahon who has consistently support its work.

The GALYIC poster is now displayed in every youth centre and library in Calderdale. There were problems in the Upper Valley libraries as a member of the public repeatedly removed the posters. As a result of good relations with the Library Service who have a representative on the IAG (who is attending the Training Module), the Service discussed this problem and agreed to place the posters behind the tills in the libraries in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden thus making the likelihood of removal unlikely. It is also displayed in Nelson's Wine Bar. It is still only displayed in four schools.

The leaflet ‘Positive Images’ produced by the Health Education Authority, which is stamped with the address and telephone number of GALYIC is still being displayed in several venues including: Nelsons Wine Bar, the Greyhound, youth centres and libraries.

There has been some excellent coverage in the Todmorden News and Hebden Bridge Times with a feature article about what it is like growing up LGB in the Upper Valley (Appendix G). Items, in relation to the launch of the booklet, also featured in the Halifax Courier and Brighouse Echo.

GALYIC is publicised in Shout magazine (West Yorkshire); Diva (national lesbian magazine) and the Pink Paper (national weekly lesbian and gay magazine).

Applying for grants is extremely time consuming (some voluntary organisations actually employ individuals just to raise funds). Sometimes it is not worth the time and effort needed to put into applying for funding when the grant giving organisation does not fund work with LGB people. If an organisation is homophobic it will not fund the work of GALYIC irrespective of whether that work meets its criteria. However, often there is no way of telling this until after an application has been submitted.

GALYIC (and the previous work of ACTION and Lesbian Information Service) have been successful several times in securing relatively small grants (ranging from a few hundred pounds to a few thousand pounds) from local bodies. However, relying on this type of funding is inappropriate and insufficient to meet the core needs of the organisation.

The award of £62,000 from Comic Relief will help significantly to develop the work but it runs out in 2003 when further funding will be needed to continue the work.

Core funding from local authorities should be made available to run the services provided by GALYIC and to help other agencies develop more appropriate and accessible services. Grant-making bodies like the Diana Trust or the National Lottery Charities Board are usually concerned with developing projects which have a national relevance, such as the model training course. Smaller grants should be sought to fund specific one-off projects such as exchange visits, developing a video, acquiring equipment, etc.

It is imperative, therefore, that a long term funding strategy is developed with local authorities in Calderdale. These could include: Calderdale MBC (Care & Social Services, Community Education, Community Safety Partnership), Calderdale & Kirklees Health Authority, Calderdale Primary Care Group, West Yorkshire Police as well as other relevant agencies such as the Connexions Service.

Although various financial systems have been set up because of lack of staff, office base and equipment, these have been difficult to keep up-to-date. Ideally there should be an admin worker to help GALYIC.

It was hoped that the amount of financial management would be kept to a minimum by having the worker's pay administered via Calderdale MBC but this has not materialised. Furthermore, because GALYIC has not been core funded, funding has been sought from several small grant systems. This is not only extremely time-consuming but it also complicates what could have been fairly simple accounts.

Because of this, and because of the amount of money now coming into GALYIC, a book-keeper has been taken on. Of course, this incurs further expenses.

The amount of work successfully completed by one part-time worker is incredible. However, this has been achieved because of her continued commitment to providing a service for LGB young people and developing access to other services in Calderdale. There can be no doubt that without her work (much of it voluntary) most of what is included in this report would not have been achieved. Alice Mahon, MP for Halifax, acknowledged the work of Jan at the launch of the booklet in Halifax Town Hall in October.

It is important that a sessional worker and the second half-time male worker are appointed as soon as possible. It has been suggested that the second half-time post be offered as a trainee post if no-one qualified applies; this needs to be checked with Comic Relief. Calderdale Community Education should now release the second part-time session.

It has been disappointing that there have been few volunteers from others agencies to join the management group as co-optees.

Member's skills that are developing as a result of being on the management committee include: applying for funding; information technology, listening, discussing, financial management, minute taking, decision-making, chairing, interviewing, recruitment & selection, supervision.

Further development of the skills of the management committee is one of the criteria for the funding from Comic Relief. This must be given a priority.

Some areas of management need to be dealt with urgently, e.g. supervision,

clarification of health and safety regulations, confidentiality, insurance.

A lot of time has been spent on trying to find appropriate premises. GALYIC have now moved three times within the first two years of operation. Whilst Forest Cottage will give the group possible access to a wider range of activities (pool table, out-door activities, video) it is not enough. GALYIC needs a permanent venue where members of staff can be based and where services can be delivered. This needs to be somewhere that is safe, preferably in central Halifax and which can be given the GALYIC stamp. In other words, with relevant posters displayed, chosen colour scheme, chosen furniture, social activities (pool, table-tennis), adequate equipment (television, video, etc). In fact, nothing more than what most other youth centres offer their users. Such premises could also be used to house the workers, deliver training and provide meeting space for the various Task Groups, as well as possibly other support groups such as HAGG and the Older Lesbian Group. If the Task Groups are successful then it is likely that further LGB groups will emerge, e.g. Support Group for LGBs with Mental Health Problems; Coming off Addictions Support Group; Older Lesbian/Gay Support Group, etc.

It has been extremely difficult keeping up with administration whilst not having office furniture or an office base on the same site as the Drop-In and telephone. Some admin systems have been kept up-to-date. Once the second worker is in post and the new office base is fully in use, keeping records will be much easier. However, administrative back-up would significantly assist the work of GALYIC.

Training will be needed with regard to computers.

Because the worker has not had an office base, the equipment has not been fully utilised. It is hoped that now there is an office the filing cabinet can be better utilised to keep the filing system up-to-date and to facilitate up-keep of the various procedures.

One of the reasons for acquiring a computer is to enable better administration and financial procedures to be developed. This will be a priority in the coming year.

Having copies of the booklets 'i think i might be a lesbian...now what do i do?' and 'Young Gay Men Talking' to give to young people and to other workers has been extremely useful. Feedback on 'i think i....' has been very good: most young women have found this to be very useful and accessible. There may be a problem in future as both of these booklets will no longer be published. The booklet 'Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale,' which has been evaluated separately, has been particularly useful to give to workers from other agencies. It is a pity that they have all been distributed and that the second print run has been delayed several months. If West Yorkshire Police are unable to print another 1,000 or more further funding will need to be sought to have it printed elsewhere. It is important to get more copies distributed to those agencies who have not yet received copies.

Once the GALYIC website is up and running it must contain a counter to be able to check usage; it is important that the site is youth-friendly and accessible.

The resources (books and videos) are well used: most of the members regularly borrow them. Members realise the importance of having access to positive material and to look after the resources: a member is responsible for booking resources in and out. Every opportunity is taken to acquire more resources as these are an important part of the service GALYIC provides.

The number of young people using GALYIC services is slowly rising. This is as a result of greater publicity from a variety of sources, not least work being conducted with other agencies. The backgrounds of members suggests that the service is attracting a variety of young people. It is good that young people from all over Calderdale are utilising the services.

Members took part in the Connexions survey, the results of which suggested that they were happy with the services being provided but would like more young people to get involved and for there to be more activities and trips.

Further links need to be forged with other relevant services to encourage referral to GALYIC. There are young LGB people utilising services in Calderdale as there are young LGB people attending schools. The Ridings experience suggested that some teachers and youth workers are aware of young LGB people in school (as many other teachers and youth workers must also be aware). Schools are the best place to publicise the services of GALYIC yet posters are only up in four. It is crucial that better links are made with schools and that the services GALYIC have to offer are publicised there.

Government have said that schools must tackle homophobic bullying and provide support for young LGB pupils. (See Appendix E) The experience of GALYIC members and the ACTION research findings suggest that support offered to young LGB people in Calderdale schools is extremely limited. In an input at the NUT Homophobic Bullying Conference a representative from the Joint Action Against Homophobic Bullying suggested a good way of starting work in schools was to work alongside pupils to develop a questionnaire and conduct a survey on bullying. This could be followed-up with a conference on bullying which would include presentation of the findings. Developing work with schools must be a priority for the coming year.

12.8.2 Drop In/Support Group/Helpline

There have been ten occasions during the last year when the Drop-In/Helpline has not run. Part-time youth work sessions are based on a 40 session year; GALYIC ran for 42 sessions. Use of the Drop-In service has varied: on a handful of occasions no-one has turned up; most times there has been about four members whilst occasionally there have been six or more members. On the occasions when there are more members good discussions are held and when there are only a few more personal work is conducted.

Having a telephone helpline is crucial in providing a contact point for potential members. Whilst there has been a telephone installed in each of the premises used, use of the helpline has been very limited. The reasons for this are varied:

• as a result of there only being one worker, the line has not always been staffed.

• it has been difficult staffing the helpline as well as running the drop-in

• publicity about the group and helpline has been difficult

• it is only staffed on a Wednesday between 7-9 p.m.

12.8.3 Groups Activities

With only one member of staff running the Drop-In and Helpline it is almost impossible to organise other activities. Nevertheless, the activities that have been available have been received positively and many members have increased their skills and self confidence. For example,

• working with computers;

• feeding back (from conferences, at conference plenaries);

• public speaking (launch of booklet);

• performing in public (at First Sunday);

• socialising/talking (within the group; at conferences, launches);

• talking live on radio;

• challenging isolation by meeting other LGBs (e.g. at Hyde Out and other social events members arrange outside of group time);

• developing self-esteem, confidence and positive identity (sharing coming out stories, coming out to parents, siblings, friends, colleagues);

• developing youth work skills (part-time youth work course, volunteering);

• driving (minibus test);

• widening understanding of oppression (taking part in surveys);

• learning to listen and share experiences (group meetings);

• learning about relationships and safer sex;

• developing compassion for fellow members.

A pool of mobile phones has yet to be acquired as current members have mobiles. The management have recommended that the worker acquires a mobile as soon as possible so that she can be contacted, especially via text messaging.

12.8.4 One-to-One

During the last year a lot of time has been spent providing one-to-one support for one of the younger members. She was experiencing homophobic bullying at school with added problems at home. Intervention included discussions with her family, school, social services, education welfare officer and counsellors. This very intelligent and bright young woman had been off school for about a year. The intensive support enabled her to return to school, develop her self-esteem and confidence to deal with the bullying, resolve some of the family problems and cope with confusion over her sexual orientation. This took place over several months. Anther member was also given a lot of one-to-one support around housing and family issues whilst a third member was given a 'short burst' of one-to-one support in connection with being beaten up (homophobic hate crime) and family bereavement. Other members who have mental health problems have also been given support outside of the Drop-In time – usually on the telephone.

The worker regularly contacts members to keep in touch and to see how they are getting on if they no longer attend the Drop-In.

The ACTION questionnaire is considered an important tool. On the one hand it provides a structured opportunity to assess the needs of members; members can then received further support e.g. on internalised homophobia, coming out to parents, etc. or be referred to other agencies. This process also provides a system of up-dating the original research data and can be used when applying for funding and to monitor for equal opportunities. Members are asked, as part of the interview, what they think of the process and content. To date all have said they got a lot out of it. Only three extra interviews have been conducted this year due to lack of staff time. It is important to reintroduce the interview process as soon as possible. The 'attitudes' and self-esteem questionnaires have not been used this year. Again, these should be re-introduced when there are more staff.

The one-to-one support is a crucial element of GALYIC services and, at the same time, can be very stressful and exhausting. Developing appropriate supervision is urgent.

12.8.5 Counselling/Referral

Because of the in-depth needs of some of the members it is important that there are other agencies who can provide support. Whilst GALYIC have a list of gay-friendly workers there is still a great need to develop more understanding and accessible services with identified gay-friendly workers.

Several young gay men have been encouraged to go for check-ups and counselling at the sexual health centre and some of the young women have accessed counselling services via GALYIC. It is unlikely that they would have used these services without this support and the knowledge that they would not be referred to a worker that was not gay-friendly.

12.8.6 Advocacy

At this moment it is not possible to evaluate the advocacy work done with the Connexions Service except to say that several issues have been raised and positive feed-back received from government officials. The input given to the local Connexions management group appeared to be well received with the GALYIC worker being invited to become a consultant on LGB issues.

12.8.7 Outreach

The outreach session in a local pub was not a pleasant experience for the worker or the members. There was little gained from this experience except the knowledge not to repeat it.

The outreach session at Ridings School, on the other hand, provided an excellent opportunity to make information available and make contact with pupils. This resulted in a young gay man attending GALYIC and potentially contact with two others. Greater thought would need to be put into this event should it happen again next year. It would be a marvellous opportunity should other schools consider a similar venture. It also provided an opportunity of meeting staff and making links with the school. Many pupils looked at the Youth Service stand and saw the booklets ‘I think I might be a lesbian….now what do I do?, ‘Young Gay Men Talking’ and ‘Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale,' several picked up copies. Further outreach work with schools is essential.

GALYIC have had to 'make do' with few resources. This has also applied to transport. It is urgent that a transport system is developed, especially now that the group meets out of town.

12.10.1 Other LGB Organisations

Networking is another important aspect of the work if young LGBs are going to be referred to GALYIC and if GALYIC are going to be able to refer young LGB people to other agencies. There have not been any referrals from HAGG, MSM or the Older Lesbian Group to GALYIC but there have been referrals from GALYIC to these groups.

Developing more social events/trips is an important aspect of GALYIC. One of the volunteers has passed the mini-bus test. This will mean better access to transport with the potential of more social events. Similarly, the group cannot meet at Forest Cottage for one of the designated evenings per month. It is hoped to utilise this time to visit other youth groups and events.

The four members who attended conferences gained a lot of confidence and insight into the situation facing other LGB young people in different parts of Britain. An exchange visit with an LGB group Essex Group is a possibility; as is an exchange visit with a group in Toronto Group. Such visits would, however, take a lot of time to plan and raise money.

Developing the activities of GALYIC will be possible once the second male worker and the sessional worker are in post. It is hoped that this will be by September at the latest.

12.10.2 Mainstream Agencies

The GALYIC projects described below have been a very important aid to developing contacts with other mainstream agencies in Calderdale, as the following shows:

• One-off Training Events

• Womens Aid
• Stonham
• Northowram Mental Health
• Mental Health Conference (over 30 workers)

• Training Module

• Barnsley LGB youth group
• Gateway
• Parkinson Society
• Leeds Switchboard
• Department of Psychology & Counselling
• Library Services

• Inter Agency Group

This includes a core membership of twenty agencies plus a much wider distribution of minutes. These include:

• Schools
• Youth Service
• CYIPS
• Dashline
• Sexual Health
• Health Promotion
• Alice Mahon, MP
• Mental Health
• Young Peoples' Clinics
• School Nurses
• CAB
• GU clinic
• Family Planning
• Halifax Police
• West Yorkshire Police
• Calderale MBC
• Housing
• Social Services
• PCG
• Leisure
• MIND
• GPs
• CVA
• MSM
• YOT
• Relate
• Jigsaw
• Information Shop
• Careers Service
• Local Councillors
• Probation Service
• Calderdale Personnel Dept
• STAR

• Booklet

• all those who attended the launch: STAR, MSM; Calderdale MBC (disability officer); CHC/CAMHS; Child & Family Mental Health Team; CVA; Relate; Bradford Lesbian and Gay Group; NCH Action for Children; CCF; Family Panning; Community Education; Sexual Health Centre; Dashline; Calderdale MBC Social Services; Health Promotion; Kirklees Safety Officer; GALYIC; LIS, plus individual lesbians and their families
• neighbouring youth services: Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rochdale, Burnley, Manchester
• national requests: Belfast, Beverley, Cardiff, Chorlton, Co. Armagh, Derby, Edinburgh, Havering, Ludlow, Maltby, Nottinghamshire, Tyne & Wear, Uxbridge, York.
• Youth Service
• School nurses/Health Promotion
• Careers
• Training agencies
• Project Challenge
• CKHAL
• CYIPS/Stonham
• SmartMove
• Information Shop
• Calderdale MBC personnel
• Sexual Health Clinic
• Calderdale Community Foundation
• Dashline
• HAGG
• STAR
• Victim Support
• Libraries
• Calderdale Housing
• Leaving Care Team
• Youth Justice
• Probation Service

Whilst acknowledging that this work was done on a freelance basis, as Calderdale Community Education paid for the work, the anti-oppression training conducted with the majority of Calderdale Youth Service staff (over 150) has been extremely important. Not only does it mean that the majority of Youth Service personnel have undergone anti-oppression awareness training but this included homophobia awareness (as well as class, race, gender and disability). It means that the majority of Youth Service staff have a basic level of understanding about the issues facing LGB young people and that they have met, face-to-face, the GALYIC worker. It provided an opportunity to check that the GALYIC poster was displayed in all venues and to check that all personnel had received a copy of the booklet ‘Supporting Lesbian. Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale’ as well as copies of the booklets ‘I think I might be a lesbian…now what do I do?’ and ‘Young Gay Men Talking.’ Workers had the opportunity to look at the causes and effects of oppression and to develop action plans to make their own units more accessible.

This was a unique piece of work which, it is believed, is the first of its kind in Britain. It is an excellent model that could be utilised by other youth services around Britain as well as being adapted for use by other services in Calderdale. It tackles five major areas of oppression, provides a multi-oppression framework to enable participants to have a better understanding of how oppressions are linked and the effects of multi-oppression. The course evaluation was very good. A separate, more in-depth, report is to be produced.

In general publicity is getting better but it is an upward slog. Publicity is crucial yet many agencies and organisations refuse to publicise GALYIC. Because of this it must be a continuous battle to utilise whatever means possible to advertise the service. The website will provide a new form of publicity and it is hoped that it will encourage wider contact with young LGB people.

It is crucial that the poster is displayed in schools.

The leaflet seems to be a useful way of publicising GALYIC and providing basic information about coming out. There is plenty of stock left and another effort to make it widely available should be made.

Good links continue to be made with the Todmorden News and Hebden Bridge Times. Whilst information has appeared in the Brighouse Echo, GALYIC does not have a contact reporter. Similarly, contact with the Halifax Courier is sporadic. One of the problems is that a good relationship is made with an individual reporter who then moves on to another paper. The newspapers in the Upper Valley appear to be more supportive of the work of GALYIC (the editors as well as reporters).

The news media plays an important role in perpetuating or challenging homophobia. The newspapers in the Upper Valley printed an excellent piece on living and growing up LGB in the Upper Valley and the young people who agreed to be interviewed need acknowledging. (See Appendix G)

Several years ago the Halifax Courier also published a supportive article but over the last few years, apart from small pieces e.g. the launch of the booklet (this did not include a story, merely a photograph of the worker, Alice Mahon MP, Councillor Michael Taylor and the mayor of Calderdale: this was a powerful message!) has not given much supportive coverage to LGB issues. On the contrary, the Courier has published many homophobic letters and stories against equalising the age of consent for young gay men.

Shout, the LGB magazine for West Yorkshire, included a one-page spread on LGB events in Calderdale. GALYIC have a good relationship with the editor and the group is regularly featured in the Youth Group column.

Diva have consistently publicised GALYIC but the Pink Paper has to be regularly chased up to include information about GALYIC.

Of course, young people who learn about GALYIC via the gay media must already be out to some level as they are visiting a gay venue or able to go into a newsagent to buy a lesbian/gay magazine. GALYIC provides an alternative to the gay scene which invariably puts pressure on young people to use alcohol, drugs and to have sex. There is a small gay scene beginning to grow in Halifax plus several lesbian/gay venues in the Upper Valley.

The assessment questionnaire is working very well to monitor the backgrounds and needs of members but it must be available to all users. Similarly, the questionnaires regarding attitudes and self-esteem should also be re-introduced. This should begin to happen when there are more staff.

Other monitoring systems, such as the ones provided by Community Education need to be introduced. Again, with more staff this should be possible.

Members will have the opportunity to add further comments to evaluate the services when the Annual Report is discussed at the Management Committee meeting.

ACTION for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale, a multi-agency group (Lesbian Information Service, Community Education, Health Promotion, young people), conducted research into the needs and experiences of young LGBs in Calderdale alongside a survey of agency provision. The results suggested that there was a lack of knowledge about the specific issues facing LGB young people among workers as well as inadequate provision of support to meet their needs (see ACTION Research Report, 1999).

13.1.2 Aim

The aim of the project was to provide information for those who work with young people about the specific issues facing LGB young people in order that they may be better able to provide appropriate support.

13.1.3 Objectives

• To produce an accessible, attractive, short and readable booklet

• To include the main issues facing LGB young people

• To cover the main issues identified by a selection of workers

• To include a list of relevant resources e.g. books, organisations

• To provide a checklist for providing support

• To distribute the booklet to all relevant workers in Calderdale who work with young people, e.g. youth workers, teachers, school nurses, doctors, social workers, housing workers, voluntary agency staff, etc.

• To make booklet available nationally through LIS publications list.

ACTION Group agreed to the proposal. Lesbian Information Service was awarded £5,000 by Calderdale Joint Finance Small Grants in October 1999 (the bid was submitted in June 1999).

The booklet was discussed at the first meeting of the Inter-Agency Group (IAG) in November 1999. The style and content were agreed and in consultation with IAG members the booklet 'Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale' was produced.

The booklet was launched on Monday, 30th October at Halifax Town Hall to an audience of representatives from a range of agencies in Calderdale (see 12.10.2). Two-hundred-and-fifty pounds from the HIV/AIDS small grants supported this event. About 120 invitations were sent out for the event; thirty people responded by post, a further ten by telephone; forty people attended the event.

Other agencies who were going to attend but, presumably because of the atrocious weather conditions were unable to, included: GU Clinic; Information Shop; West Yorkshire Police; Ridings School; CYIPS; SmartMove; Stonham Housing Association; Calder High School; Halifax High School; Calderdale & Kirklees Careers Service.

The Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Graham Hall; Halifax MP, Alice Mahon; Leader of Calderdale Liberal Democrats, Councillor Michael Taylor; Pauline Nash of Community Education; Jan Bridget (LIS/GALYIC); and Zoe, a member of GALYIC were also in attendance and each gave a speech. All referred to the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in Calderdale and several complimented the author and the Inter-Agency Group for producing an 'excellent' and much-needed booklet. This aspect of the launch took place in the Chamber.

A display showing the aims, objectives and history of the project, as well as a selection of relevant books were available during light refreshments which took place in the main hall.

Feedback from the event suggested that it was a huge success and many participants commented on the food as being excellent.

The launch facilitated networking, provided a forum to celebrate the work of GALYIC and publicised the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people.

West Yorkshire Police printed 1,000 copies, 900 of which have been distributed; further copies are needed to complete distribution and West Yorkshire Police have agreed to do a second print run.

13.1.5 Evaluation

The booklet is a first for Calderdale and has also been recognised as a national first. There have been over 30 requests for copies from other authorities acknowledging it as an example of good practice for working with LGB young people.

Feedback has been excellent and includes the following comments:

The Project was extended from the original six months and in total took 12 months to complete. This was necessary to fully consult and involve the agencies that would be ultimately using the booklet. Whilst working with other agencies meant the project took longer than expected, the end result was a combined effort owned by those who were involved.

The booklet has been well received within and outside Calderdale. The joint working has engendered a multi-agency commitment to providing services responsive to the needs of young LGB people in Calderdale.

Full and favourable press coverage locally and nationally (Young People Now) publicised this groundbreaking work.

13.1.6 Future Tasks

• Liaise with West Yorkshire Police regarding the second print run.

• Once received, complete distribution to following agencies:

• GPs (via PCG)
• Social Services
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health
• Family Planning
• West Yorkshire Police
• Calderdale College
• Jigsaw Project
• Relate
• Youth Justice
• MIND
• Well Women Centre
• Samaritans
• Calderdale Voluntary Action
• Leisure Services
• Schools

• Calderdale & Kirklees Health Authority;
• Voluntary Youth Groups.

13.2.1 Needs

Making services in Calderdale more accessible and relevant to the needs of LGB young people was identified by the ACTION research. In response to these findings the Calderdale LGB Inter-Agency Group (IAG) was set up in July 1999. Joint Funding was acquired to develop the booklet ‘Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale.’ The IAG were involved in its production and it was successfully launched in October 2000. However, only 1,000 copies were produced which meant limited distribution. West Yorkshire Police promised to do a second print run which would then require distribution. Ideally, training would be provided to run alongside distribution of the booklet. It was also important that the IAG continued to develop but this needed facilitating.

The aim of the project is to make services in Calderdale more accessible to LGB young people.

• continue to distribute the booklet 'Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale'
• organise the March Inter Agency Group meeting
• organise homophobia awareness training
• deal with any enquiries regarding the booklet, homophobia awareness training, Inter Agency Group
• produce a final report and accounts for the funders.

Distribute ‘Supporting Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale’

West Yorkshire Police have yet to complete a second print run. They have been contacted several times and new dates have been given. The remaining 100 copies of the booklet have been distributed to workers from agencies including mental health, housing, probation service.

It is imperative that West Yorkshire Police let GALYIC know whether or not they are able to print further copies of the booklet. If not then other means of production must be pursued.

Minutes of the previous IAG meeting were typed and distributed and the March IAG organised; it was attended by representatives from Community Education; GALYIC; Consortium for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Voluntary Organisations and Community Groups; CYIPS; West Yorkshire Police; Information Shop; MSM/CKHAL; Community Mental Health Team, North Halifax; Library Department; CVA; Health Promotion/Well Women Centre; Careers Service/Youth Offending Team; Sexual Health Services.

An address list which included core members as well as agencies who receive the minutes was developed (see 12.10.2).

Because it was not possible to distribute the booklet, time allocated to this task was used to conduct more training, especially organising the Lesbians, Gays and Mental Health Conference.

The purpose of the training was to provide participants with

• access to a multi-oppression framework which could inform their work

• a better understanding about the causes and effects of homophobia

• on lesbian, gay and bisexual people, especially young people
• on heterosexuals

• access to further information

• access to a model which could be used by agencies to become more lesbian, gay and bisexual friendly.

Eight people took part, all from the NHS Trust (counsellor, ward nurse, students, theatre assistant). The evaluation suggests that it was a successful session:

• 7 said that the multi-oppression framework would help them to develop their understanding of how oppression works.
• 8 said they were better aware of the causes of homophobia.
• 8 said they were more aware of the effects of homophobia on lesbian, gay and bisexual young people.
• 8 said they had a better understanding of how homophobia affects the provision of services.
• 8 said they knew how to access further information about lesbian and gay issues.
• 8 said they would read the handouts.
• 5 said they would attend further training (at a deeper level) on this issue; 1 yes/no, 1 don’t know, 1 no (due to lack of time)
• Other comments included: Stimulating - 'fast' thought provoking - thank you.

The seven participants came from CYIPS, Stonham Housing Association; Women’s Aid; and Child Support. Feed back was very positive and included the following comments:

Negatives:

Too much, not enough time

Not long enough

Still can't take it in

More practical solutions

Made me realise as a lesbian I am unempowered

One and a half hours not enough

Lighting

Positives:

Interesting

Educational

Thought provoking

Amazing

More confident as lesbian to challenge stuff

Very informative

It’s a start.

The aim of the conference was to raise the issues concerning lesbians, gays and mental health within mental health and related services in Calderdale in order to challenge inequalities and develop accessible provision.

There were 29 participants and 8 speakers/facilitators. The conference went exceedingly well with very positive feedback (with two noticeable exceptions):

• 25 said the conference had raised the profile of lesbians, gays and mental health, 2 said they didn’t think it had. .

• 25 said their knowledge about the role medicine has played in the oppression of homosexuals has deepened; 4 said it hadn’t and added: Knew how sad it could be already. Not easy for gay and lesbian doctors either. (No) but only cos I've already read loads about it.

When funding is made available a comprehensive report will be written up and distributed. It is important not to lose the impetus created by the Conference. Several participants said they would be interested in joining an LGB Mental Health Task Group.

Objectives for the module were that participants would:

1. be better able to support LGB young people
2. have a better understanding of multi-oppression
3. have a better understanding of the causes and effects of homophobia, especially on LGB young people in relation to sexual health, alcohol/drugs, mental well-being
4. know how to access further information
5. have access to a model to help them develop their own agencies to become more accessible to, and appropriate for, LGB young people.

The module will finish in July. There have been thirteen participants from: Library Services, GALYIC, Gateway, Parkinsons Society, CVA, Barnsley Youth Service, Psychology and Counselling Service, LGB Health Action Task Group, CYIPS. An evaluation will be done in the last session. This has been one of the most successful Homophobia Awareness modules run. More information will be contained next year’s annual review.

13.3.1 Background

On 1^st April 1999 a new Health Act came into force which introduced new measures aimed at encouraging health agencies to be more responsive to the needs of service users and to establish statutory Health Improvement Programmes (HimPs). HimPs are local strategies to improve the health and healthcare across the UK; they are to be developed by local health authorities in consultation with voluntary organisations, community groups and users. Their main purpose is to reduce health inequalities, improve health care service provision and make the delivery of health care more integrated and user-centred.

Within the HimPs there are local and national priorities. National priorities are issued by Central Government as NHS Framework documents. These cannot be ignored by local health authorities. There are several NHS Framework documents, two of these frameworks are particularly relevant to LGB people: Mental Health NSF and The Children's NSF which will cover child & adolescent mental health services.

Local priorities are developed by the local health authorities; one of their three main roles is to address health inequalities and improve the health of local residents. One of the many ways of achieving this is through the development of Health Action Plans. These can be in specific geographical areas or can include a particular community group such as minority ethnic people, lesbian and gay people, etc.

According to the Calderdale & Kirklees NHS Health Authority Annual Report, 2000,

suicide in Calderdale is significantly higher than the national average, and higher than within Kirklees. This same report recommends the reducing the incidence and consequence of mental illness and reduce the number of suicides as a priority. Other key priorities for Calderdale include reducing the incidence of breast cancer and increasing the provision of treatment available for drug users. All of these priorities, but in particular the first one, are relevant to LGB people.

LGB people are identified within the Calderdale and Kirklees HimP. More specifically, young LGB people have been identified within the Calderdale & Kirklees Child and Adolescent Mental Health HimP.

The ACTION research played a major role in getting young LGB people acknowledged within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health HimP.

At the same time that GALYIC and the Inter-Agency Group were developing services, Calderdale Partnership Project had been commissioned to consult with people regarding provision of health and social care services; this was meant to include LGB people. A limited consultation process led to a report being produced and submitted which resulted in LGB people being included in the HimP.

The Calderdale Partnership Project came to an end after three years funding; its work was taken over by Calderdale Voluntary Action and was given the new title of Calderdale Involvement Project. CVA submitted a bid to Calderdale and Kirklees Joint Planning Structures - HimP Development Resources.

The bid was to fund one full-time development worker (SO1) to work across both Calderdale and Kirklees, .2 admin worker, events and activities budget, running costs, management support and equipment which totalled £36,836 for year one (but it was seen as a three-year project). The purpose was to

• establish a Steering Group of representatives from relevant voluntary and statutory agencies and members of the LGB community;

• audit relevant local and national research and literature on health needs of LGB community;

• develop appropriate consultation with local groups and members of LGB communities to assess:

• key health needs,
• identify barriers to accessing mainstream health and social care services and
• examples of good practice in service delivery and service preferences of the LGB community;

• to identify implications for the development of local services and feed through to appropriate joint planning structure;

• establish a network of local people to inform and monitor the development of local services accessible to LGB people;

• evaluate process.

The bid was not successful because it was thought to be too ambitious and that developing such work would take time. CVA then called a meeting of LGB organisations in Calderdale and Kirklees to discuss the bid and to look for a way forward. At this meeting, attended by representatives from MSM, GALYIC/IAG/Lesbian Information Service (LIS), Lesbian Support Group, Calderdale Involvement Project and Batley Victim Support, it was felt there was no future linking together Calderdale and Kirklees and that it was pointless setting up another multi-agency group in Calderdale when one already existed (the IAG).

GALYIC submitted a detailed HimP bid to develop work around health issues with LGB people in Calderdale (with an emphasis on provision of services) but this, too, was unsuccessful. (Appendix H)

It seemed likely that there might be limited funding available under the HimP however this would be applicable to LGB people of all ages. As Calderdale could not sustain two multi-agency groups working on LGB issues it made sense to widen the remit of the IAG to include LGB people of all ages. This was agreed by members of the IAG and a separate Sub Group was set up to develop an LGB Health Care Plan.

A small amount of funding was acquired by GALYIC to help towards the development of an LGB Health Care Plan (1.5 - CVA HimP Community Chest) and to conduct a literature review on LGB health issues (1.6 - Calderdale & Kirklees Health Authority HimP Community Chest; 40 hours). This funding has now been spent.

13.3.2 LGB Health Task Group

GALYIC has facilitated the development of the LGB Health Task Group, which has met eight times since January 2001. Members include representatives from GALYIC, MSM, HAGG, Health Promotion and individual LGBs. At the first meeting members agreed to call the group a Task Group rather than Sub Group because it is independent of the IAG.

Early meetings were spent clarifying the group's terms of reference and Carol Massey of the Health Authority was invited to the March meeting to explain about Health Action Plans.

The process has been extremely complicated. Initially it was suggested that a survey would need to be conducted to identify the health needs of LGB people in Calderdale. This was clarified at the meeting with Carol Massey. Because there has been international and regional research on this issue, as well as the ACTION research and other bits of local information, it was agreed to utilise this to develop an LGB Health Action Plan. The first task was to conduct a literature review of local, regional, national and international research. This would then enable the group to identify any gaps which may need filling with further research and to put together a Lesbian and Gay Health Action Plan.

13.3.3 Literature Review

With funding for only 40 hours work, GALYIC employed Jan Bridget to conduct a literature review.

Searches were made on Medline and abstracts downloaded. These searches revealed several things:

• there has been significantly more research about gay men and health (1,400 titles) than lesbians and health (352 titles);

• much of the research about gay men is related to HIV/AIDs to the detriment of other health issues; and

• the task facing one researcher with payment for 40 hours work was totally insufficient for what was needed. It is impossible to review such an amount of material within this period.

What has been achieved includes:

• Local, regional and national research identified and acquired

• International data search on Medline conducted, abstracts downloaded

• Relevant books identified and acquired

• Abstracts on lesbian health issues analysed and overview prepared

• Review on Lesbians, Bisexual Women and Alcohol/Drug Misuse conducted; new material recently acquired which needs adding

• Review on Lesbians, Bisexual Women and Sexual Health/HIV completed.

Meanwhile, the Task Group have been discussing ways to develop the Health Action Plan and how to consult with the diverse LG communities in Calderdale. Whilst acknowledging that this will be an on-going process, the Task Group agreed to organise a one day event, at the end of September, which would include discussion of different aspects of the draft Health Action Plan as well as provide entertainment and an opportunity for appropriate agencies to make contact with the LG communities.

The Task Group are currently restructuring the approach to the literature review and the process of developing an LG health action plan. The suggested new plan, which is still in its development stage, follows.

Aim

The aim of the project is to development a Lesbian and Gay Health Care Plan

• Identify main LGB health concerns
• Consult with LGB communities
• Establish way of monitoring and informing implementation of health care plan

• Identify main health areas
• Set up Task Groups for main areas
• Conduct literature review
• Draw up draft LGB Health Care Plan
• Organise an event Calderdale Lesbian and Gay Pride
• Identify funding and acquire

Seven main areas have been identified, these are:

• Mental Health
• Personal/Public Safety
• Access to services
• Young LGBs
• Dependency Issues and Consequential Health Problems (cancers, heart disease, liver failure etc)
• Sexual Health/Relationships
• Older LGBs

A task group, with funding from Calderdale Community Safety Partnership, looking at homophobic hate crime has already been set up (13.3.5)

Funding to develop work on LGB Mental Health issues has been submitted to Calderdale Voluntary Action (13.3.4)

The Task Groups for Sexual Health/Relationships, Older LGBs, Young LGBs, Dependency Issues have yet to be set up. The following process is suggested:

1. Contact relevant agencies (voluntary and statutory)
2. Identify two co-ordinators (female and male) for each group
3. Agree role of co-ordinator, e.g.

• Organise meetings: venue, date, time,

• Organise minutes, distribution,
• Set up e-mail network if possible
• Chair meetings, agenda
• Ensure tasks delegated and completed (chase people up)
• Feedback to LGB Health Task Group
• Feedback to IAG
• Ensure all relevant agencies involved
• Ensure agency representatives feed back to agencies
• Ensure LGBs involved

4. Identify role and tasks of groups, e.g.

• Conducting literature review
• Feeding into draft policy
• Organising and facilitating workshop at Lesbian and Gay Pride
• On-going monitoring
• Ensure access and multi-oppression are incorporated.
• Help in development of appropriate services

1. The literature review is divided along gender lines i.e. men conduct gay male review, women conduct lesbian review.

2. Agree format of literature review,e.g.

• international research,
• national research,
• local research,
• possible recommendations,
• how fit in with local and national priorities
• services to be involved (partnership)
• quality criteria
• measuring results
• This will need to be in a format for inclusion in the Draft Policy as well as for presentation to LGBs in September.

3. Ensure all include multi-oppression and access

1. Identify who will conduct reviews in which areas

5. To be completed by end of August.

1. Identify who is going to write the first draft LG Health Care Plan
2. Feed literature reviews into draft plan (early September)

3. Draft plan to be ready to present to LGB people on 30^th September

See Appendix I for plan. All tasks have been allocated, the Square Chapel booked and advance publicity sent out.

1. Amend draft plan in view of comments from consultation at Pride
2. Present to Health Authority
3. Present to Primary Care Group
4. Task Groups to monitor progress and liaise with relevant agencies to implement

1. Identify need funding for.
2. Identify funding possibilities.
3. Identify who do what.
4. Identify who apply.

13.4.1 Needs

The Children and Adolescent Mental Health Strategic Implementation Group (SIG) commissioned an audit of the mental health needs of young people in Calderdale by national Young Minds. The draft report did not include LGB young people, the SIG were informed about this. A local audit was conducted by Andy Clark which did include LGB young people. A copy of the new strategy plan was sent to the GALYIC youth worker; again it omitted LGB young people. The worker commented on the omission which resulted in a member of the SIG visiting her to discuss the issue. The worker recommended that in future all assessments of adolescents with mental health problems should include a sensitive question on sexual orientation and that a mental health worker be designated specifically to work with LGB young people throughout Calderdale. As far as is known, these recommendations have still to be implemented.

LGB young people are included in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health HimP.

The aim is to encourage mental health services in Calderdale to be accessible and appropriate to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

13.4.3 Objectives

• Set up and facilitate Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Mental Health Task Group

• Liaison with appropriate agencies, e.g. Mental Health NSF group, C&AMH

• Compile Report of Lesbians, Gays and Mental Health Conference, organise printing, distribution

• Conduct literature review regarding lesbians/bisexual women and mental health

• Co-ordinate literature review on gay and bisexual men and mental health

• Organise workshop on lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and mental health at Calderdale Lesbian and Gay Pride

• Feed above into Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Health Action Plan.

Implementation on receipt of funding from Calderdale Involvement Project.

• Number of agencies and individuals involved in Task Group

• Number of agencies liaised with

• Completion of tasks

• Number of reports distributed

• Number of LGBs attending workshop

On-going development of accessible Mental Health Services for LGB people in Calderdale.

13.5.1 Needs

There has been substantial research in different parts of Britain which persistently come up with statistics suggesting that homophobic crime is rife in Britain; the Soho bombings bear witness to the horrendous results of this type of crime. There is no reason to believe that Calderdale is immune. Indeed, the results of the ACTION research substantiates this, as do the personal testimonies of several older lesbian, gay and bisexual citizens of Calderdale.

The Home Office (Home Office Guidance on Statutory Crime and Disorder Partnerships: Crime and Disorder Act 1998) clearly recommends that local authorities and police areas pay particular attention to hard-to-reach social groups, including the gay and lesbian community: