ACTION
for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in Calderdale
Situation Report
Contents
Page No.

1. 1BACKGROUND
   

1-2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2-7 INTRODUCTION

1. 2-3Need
   
2. 3Aim
   
3. 3-4Objectives
   

4-7 PROGRESS TO DATE

1. 4Funding
   
2. ·Researcher
   
3. ·Research Measures
   
1. ·Literature Review
   
2. Inter-Agency Group
   
3. Involvement of Young Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals
   
4. Support Group/Network
   
5. Survey of Local Agencies and Report
   
6. 7Seminar
   
7. 7Evaluation
   

7-8 LATEST UP-DATE

8-13 NEW ACTION/MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. Project Organisation
   

1. ·Aim
   
2. Objective 1
   
3. Objective 2
   
4. Objective 3
   
5. 11Costs
   
6. 11-12Schedule
   

1. 12RESULTS
   

1. 13EVALUATION
   

13 NEXT STEP

APPENDICES

1. Original Timescale
   
2. Income & Expenditure Account to 9.9.98
   
3. Original Budget
   
4. Questionnaire Contents
   
5. Results of Exploratory Survey
   
6. Letter from Council Leader
   

Report produced by Jan Bridget, accepted by ACTION 1.10.98.

f or Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in
Calderdale


BACKGROUND
This report was written in response to a meeting held between the Lesbian Information Service (LIS - a national Organisation with vast experience of supporting young lesbians), the M.S.M. Project (men who have sex with men - an HIV/AIDS prevention project which covers Calderdale and Kirklees) and Calderdale Health Promotion Centre (CHPC). The meeting was initiated by the Health Promotion Specialist HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health and Young People worker.

At this meeting, held in July 1997, it was suggested that lesbian, gay and bisexual young people had specific needs which were not being met by service providers in Calderdale, e.g. neighbouring Bradford and Kirklees both have support groups for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth but nothing like this existed in Calderdale.

A further meeting was held which was attended by two young lesbians and it was agreed to set up a new project entitled ACTION for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth in Calderdale. At that meeting it was agreed that young gay men should be approached to join the ACTION Steering Group; and that LIS (being a voluntary Organisation with a management committee, bank account, constitution and experience in acquiring funding and running projects for young lesbians) should apply for funding on behalf of ACTION to conduct research into the needs of, and provision for, lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in Calderdale.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report suggests that lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in Calderdale may be vulnerable to attempted and completed suicide, self-harming behaviours, alcohol and drug misuse, homelessness, HIV infection, school drop out, social isolation and family rejection and that there is little service provision geared to the needs of this vulnerable group. The Introduction includes the overall aim of the Project, i.e. to identify what the issues are that face lesbian, gay and bisexual young people and what service provision exists to meet their needs.

The Project began in July 1997 and successes have included acquisition of funding, development of research measures, involvement of lesbian and gay young people, acquisition of relevant international and national articles, liaison between voluntary and statutory agencies and support from the Leader of the Local Council.

However, the Project has been delayed considerably due to a shortfall in funding which has meant that, to date, the employment of a researcher has not been possible.

Under the management of CKHAL, a new schedule for the Project has been devised with timescales and tasks delegated to named individuals, these were agreed at the meeting of ACTION on lst October 1998. It is envisaged that the Project will be completed by February/March when the following tasks will have been achieved: survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people; survey of voluntary and statutory agencies; establishment of lesbian, gay and bisexual support group, establishment of an Inter-Agency Group and an evaluation of the Project.

INTRODUCTION
Need
Research suggests that lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are particularly vulnerable to: attempted and completed suicide, self-harming behaviours, alcohol and drug misuse, HIV infection, homelessness, social isolation, school drop out and family rejection. Gibson (1988) suggests that such young people are 2-6 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual young people and that they may comprise up to 30% of completed youth suicides.

Other research, both national and international, suggests that approximately 30% of lesbians, gays and bisexuals misuse alcohol and that this usually begins in adolescence, that they comprise about 25% of homeless youth and that young gay and bisexual men are especially at risk of HIV infection (some young lesbians are also at risk of HIV infection). This happens because of Homophobia in British society and inappropriate responses by service providers (the effects are worse in semi-rural areas such as Calderdale where there is little support and limited knowledge). With appropriate support, however, the effects of Homophobia can be significantly reduced.

There has not been any research conducted in Calderdale which includes the specific needs of, or provision for, lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. Indeed, a recent Social Services report which discussed the needs of young people in Calderdale into the next millennium did not even mention this group and whilst they were mentioned in a Calderdale/Kirklees report on young people and mental health, it was tokenistic and there has not been any follow-up work initiated.

Currently it would seem that there is no specific support available which is geared towards the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people apart from very limited one-to-one support available as part of the general provision by agencies such as the Sexual Health Clinic and the MSM Project. Whilst introductory training has been offered in the past (as a result of funding from Calderdale Community Foundation) to relevant voluntary and statutory agencies, including Education Department, Youth Service and Health Services, Social Services and Voluntary Organisations, the take up has been extremely poor.

There also appears to be seriously limited inter-agency collaboration regarding lesbian, gay and bisexual youth: the Sexual Health Inter-Agency Group is concerned with sexual health and young people but, given the limited amount of provision and knowledge concerning lesbian, gay and bisexual youth, collaboration is clearly constrained.

1. on the assumption that 10% of the youth population (16 - 24 years old) in 2
   

Calderdale will be lesbian, gay or bisexual, there are some 2,439 highly vulnerable young people whose needs are currently being unmet by service providers; this is in a climate when the present (and past) government have expressed a commitment to reducing suicide, HIV infection, homelessness, alcohol/drug misuse and social exclusion in general.

A comprehensive survey of voluntary and statutory agencies and lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in Calderdale would provide a better picture of what is available and what is needed.

The ACTION Project is in an ideal position to run this project given the constituents, i.e. LIS, who have extensive experience of researching the needs of young lesbians and have access to a unique research library on this topic; MSM Project, who have experience of working with gay men throughout Calderdale; Calderdale Health Promotion Centre, who have already worked with LIS and who have also been involved with work around lesbian, gay and bisexual issues in schools, the Youth Service and Health Service; young lesbians and gay men are involved in the project.

It is crucial that a multi-agency approach is taken because the aim is to make service provision within Calderdale more relevant, and accessible, to lesbian, gay and bisexual youth. This approach also excludes any duplication of provision and would help to feed into the project, i.e. to refer young people to ACTION, to provide support for the project and to raise awareness of the issues and inform the policies of relevant agencies.

Similarly, it is important that young people are involved with the project from the beginning to ensure that the project stays on course and remains relevant, i.e. concerned with the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth.

Aim

The aim of ACTION is to identify the needs and experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in Calderdale, to ascertain what provision exists for this group and to

make recommendations according to the findings. The objectives for the project are as folows:

Objectives

1. To acquire funding for, and help to conduct, research in Calderdale to include:
   

1. local survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth (20 female, 20 male)
   

1. survey of local voluntary and statutory agencies
   

1. review of national and international evidence
   

1. involvement of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people
   

1. dissemination of findings via seminar/reports
   
2. To acquire funding for, and help to set up, a support group/network for lesbian,
   
   1. 3
      

gay and bisexual youth in Calderdale in order to provide support, and act as a focal point, for participants.

3.        To set up an Inter-Agency Group which will include the voluntary and statutory services from the outset in order to encourage ownership of the project and facilitate the introduction of more appropriate services within Calderdale for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth.

PROGRESS TO DATE
The original idea was to acquire funding to employ a researcher to conduct the research with young people; the ACTION Steering Group would hope to

1. -
   
2. -
   
3. -
   
4. -
   
5. -
   
6. - agree research measures,
   

- conduct a literature review,

establish an Inter-Agency Group,

involve young lesbians, gays and bisexuals in the process, examine the possibility of setting up a support group, conduct the survey of local agencies and produce report, organise a seminar to disseminate the findings,

evaluate the project.

The original timescales was scheduled to start the research in March 1998 and complete it with the seminar in September 1998 (see Appendix A). This is clearly no longer viable and has resulted in the project plan being rescheduled.

Funding
As ACTION did not have a constitution, management committee or bank account, it was agreed that Lesbian Information Service would apply for funding on behalf of the Project. An application was made to Calderdale Community Foundation (CCF) who awarded -F,1,250; match funding was requested from the Pennine Rural Development Area (PRDA) who made a promise of a further P.1,250 to be made available on completion of the project. Calderdale Health Promotion Centre applied to the Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority Small Grants who provided 7c5OO; and Halifax Area Gay Group later donated -F.100. On 9th September 1998 it was agreed that as CKHAL were now managing the Project, the -Fl,850 funding would be held in CKHAL funds which, as a charity, is accountable for its finances.

As part of a funding package for Lesbian Information Service Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority provided monies to employ the worker for one year on a half time basis, to be based at Brunswick House and to be managed by the CKHAL; part of the job would include two sessions per week to work on ACTION, the equivalent of approximately 472,000, thus bringing the total funding up to the sum identified in the original budget (see Appendix B).

4

Researcher
Due to a shortfall in funding, employment of a researcher was not possible. Because of this, another method of collecting the data was agreed: to identify pairs of researchers (one experienced, one inexperienced - to include workers involved with ACTION and young people) who would contact and interview young people. A one-day training event was organised (followed by a further half-day for those who could not attend the first event). During these training sessions several issues were raised including the likely inconsistent results from using different pairs of interviewers. It was, therefore, agreed to acquire further funding to employ a researcher.

Research Measures
Several research instruments were identified from other, similar, research projects. However, these were based on quantitative research and, as the ACTION project was anticipating only 40 participants, quantitative methods were inappropriate. In any event, ACTION wanted to facilitate young lesbians, gays and bisexuals in Calderdale having a voice - the qualitative method is more appropriate for this purpose.

It was agreed to adapt a questionnaire originally used by Lesbian Information Service to interview young lesbians. This is a very extensive questionnaire but one which had proved useful in accessing the needs and experiences of young lesbians. The Steering Group went through the questionnaire (a significant task) and several amendments were made to incorporate young gay men, safer sex and other suggestions (see Appendix C for the contents of the questionnaire). Further amendments were recommended as a result of the training sessions, once these amendments are incorporated the questionnaire was ready for piloting.

Literature Review
In order to find out what previous research results existed, and to put the research project within a national and international context, a data search was conducted. Articles have been acquired and are currently being read; a review needs to be written.

Inter-Agency Group
A letter, to be sent to agencies, was agreed and sent to local voluntary and statutory agencies. An initial meeting of the Inter Agency Group was held at Brunswick House in December 1997. The response from agencies was poor. However, it was felt that this was a successful meeting (the numbers participating in ACTION had been doubled) and individuals were nominated to contact those agencies who did not attend, as well as new agencies identified at the meeting. A further meeting was scheduled.

Response to the second meeting was again poor. The lack of response from agencies was discussed and it was decided that, at this point in time, setting up an InterAgency Group was not feasible; that SHIG (Sexual Health Inter-Agency Group) should be approached to see if they would incorporate ACTION within their remit; and that members of ACTION would continue to work with those agencies who had responded positively.

5

Representatives of Health Promotion, MSM and LIS now attend SHIG meetings.

A significant amount of work has been pursued with the Diocese of Wakefield (and links made with local vicars and the local Church of England school) and the Youth Service. Both of these organisations had been invited to join the Inter-Agency Group at which time neither sent a representative but work with them has continued. They now incorporate issues concerning lesbian, gay and bisexual youth and liaison is expected to continue with the latter sending a representative to the new Steering Group and the former sending a representative to the Inter-Agency Group.

Involvement of Young Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals
The Steering Group has included young lesbians and gays from the outset and they have been involved in every stage of the process. Two young lesbians have been consistently involved, one young gay man was involved but has since left and an older gay man was involved for a time but he has also now left. Another young gay man is still involved and a second - who has experience of involvement with lesbian and gay activities - is to be approached to bring the number back up to two. Ensuring that young people are involved - as with other agencies - means that the process can be very time consuming, e.g. arranging meetings when everyone can attend, providing training for interviews.

Support Group/Network
From the outset members of ACTION had been concerned about providing support for participants of the research study, acknowledging that the interviews would raise many different issues, not least the lack of support.

It was impossible to set up a support group without further funding. It was agreed, therefore, to refer any participants to the Bradford and Kirklees youth support groups who were contacted and agreed to this process.

However, ACTION have identified a gap regarding a local support group and are currently making enquiries with the Youth Service about setting up such a support group.

Members of ACTION Steering Group already have contact with several young lesbians and gay men; some of whom have taken part in an exploratory survey (see Appendix D for results).

As a means of expanding contact with lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in Calderdale a press release was distributed with limited response: there were two very good items on Radio Pulse and Calderdale Sound, other media (with the exception of Halifax Courier) did not respond. In order to reach isolated lesbian, gay and bisexual youth, it is important to use any avenues available and this includes local media. Good contact with the media needs to be expanded. A flyer has been designed and circulated to appropriate agencies.

Survey of Local Agencies and Report

1. draft letter to agencies was drawn up and discussed. It was agreed that a more in6
   

depth questionnaire, based on the one to be used to interview young people, should be developed. The purpose is that better comparisons can be made with the findings from the young people survey and to facilitate a more in-depth response (not leaving agencies the opportunity to give a general response).

As the Inter-Agency Group was meant to act as a referral for ACTION and to develop support for the Agency Survey, the lack of interest by agencies was discussed. It was agreed that in order for any provision not to be ghettoised (i.e. provision needs to be mainstream within all relevant agencies as well as a specialised support group), agencies needed to be involved with the process; this would not happen if they were simply surveyed (in fact, this was likely to alienate them). Because of this it was decided to approach the leader of Calderdale Council to write a letter which could accompany the agency survey and would be sent to both the statutory and voluntary sector; this letter has recently been received (see Appendix E).

Seminar
Originally it was planned to hold the seminar in September. However, due to the delay in conducting the interviews and agency survey it is now planned to hold it in February 1998.

The purpose of the seminar is to disseminate the findings and to enable users (participants) and service providers (agencies) to share the findings and discuss ways forward. It is hoped that some participants would feel able to share some of their experiences (or read out from other responses) and that agencies would also be given a platform to respond to the results.

Evaluation
Due to the slow progress of the project an evaluation report was written and
discussed by the Steering Group. The suggestions have been incorporated in the new Action.

LATEST UP-DATE
At its meeting on October Ist the Action Steering Group accepted this report with certain amendments which have been incorporated.

Patrick Ambrose of the Youth Service joined the Steering Group. It was agreed that ACTION would register with Community Education (at a cost of FlO) and that he would apply for Partnership funding for two part-time youth work sessions to establish a 'pilot' support group for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in Calderdale. The Youth Service would be responsible for appointing, paying and supervising these workers (with assistance from ACTION). The venue would be agreed with the participants but it was suggested that the Group meet within mainstream Youth Service premises.

Becky Reynolds (Health Promotion) informed the group that, after discussions with Helen Horton (Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority) a proportion of the remainder of Abina Dorgan's post (who was previously involved with ACTION and who initiated the Project) will be made available to either employ a researcher or contract out the aspect of the Project concerning research with young people. The

7

sum of E2,500 would be made available, to add to the other ACTION funds. Enquiries with a research company (RSDC in Leeds) revealed that there was not enough funds to conduct research with 40 young people but that, by reducing the number to 30, this could fall within a budget of E5,000. This would also entail reducing the questionnaire considerably (to something that could be conducted within an hour). It was agreed that ACTION would assist RSDC to contact the participants and to access venues where the interviews could take place. The RSDC would be contracted to conduct 30 interviews, computerese and analyse the data, write a report and present the findings at the seminar. They would give a monthly up-date to the Steering Group (either by report or telephone). It is hoped that there will be two researchers, male and female and that they would have expertise in interviewing young people and be non-homophobic.

The Steering Group agreed to make further enquiries with RSDC and that -P.2,500 of the funds held by CKHAL on behalf of ACTION would go towards the -F-2,500 from Health Promotion to pay for the cost of contracting out this part of the project.

The Steering Group was also informed that it was likely that a further 7cl,000 to Fl,500 would be available from Health Promotion funding to help set up the support group. This money could be used for, for example, travel expenses to enable young people to attend the support group. Health Promotion would be responsible for this money.

NEW ACTION/MANAGEMENT PLAN
Project Organisation
The Action Project is managed by an inter-agency group comprising of representatives from Health Promotion, MSM, LIS, Youth Service and young people. The organisations represented have a strong commitment to supporting their projects in implementing good 'Planning and delivery methodologies. They formulate plans and programmes through the utilisation of project management techniques which determine timescales, work schedules and resource requirements. Using these techniques enables staff to establish Aims and Objectives of each piece of planned work as well as incorporating monitoring and evaluation within each set of activities. As community development and diffusion models of health promotion are used by ACTION Project workers, it is important that the client group informs the work of the Organisation. The ACTION Project values the contribution of its client group and endeavours to enable such young people to play an active role in the work of the Project by undertaking a voluntary role in service delivery.

The Steering Group of the ACTION Project consists of four core workers representing: MSM (Paul Harris), LIS (Jan Bridget) , Calderdale Health Promotion Centre (Becky Reynolds) and the Youth Service (Patrick Ambrose). Each member of the Steering Group will have a particular role, responsibilities and delegated tasks to complete. Young people will be part of the Steering Group and take part in whichever tasks they volunteer for.

The following is a list of tasks, objectives, timescales and the person identified who is responsible for completion of the tasks:


8

Aim
To ensure the smooth, over-all, Organisation and completion of ACTION via the
Steering Group. Jan Bridget to co-ordinate, Sept-Feb.

Organise Steering Group Meetings:

Involvement of users
Chair/agenda
Take and Distribute Minutes
Deal with Correspondence
Compile relevant budgets/financial statements
Develop an Action Plan
Objective 1
Researcher
To be responsible for acquiring funding for, employment and supervision of, a researcher/contracting out. Becky Reynolds (to co-ordinate, Sept/Feb)

Funding for researcher
Employment of a Researcher/contracting out Supervision of researcher/contract re:

Collection of data
Computerisation of data
Analysis of data
Writing report
Presentation at Seminar
Monthly up-dates to Steering Group

Research Measures
To develop appropriate research measures prior to employment of researcher. Jan Bridget, Oct.

To liaise with other Steering Group Members to reduce the questionnaire to fit into an hour's interview

Survey of Local Agencies and Report
To find out what provision is currently available in Calderdale for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people, to write a report on the same and present findings at Seminar. Jan Bridget to co-ordinate with help from Becky Reynolds, Oct-Dec.

1. Acquire support from agencies
   
2. Develop questionnaire (utilising main questionnaire)
   
3. Develop list of agencies to be surveyed
   
4. Send out survey
   
5. Chase up participants
   
6. Organise findings to be computerised
   
7. Analyse findings
   
8. Write report
   

9

Literature Review
To provide an up-to-date literature review. Jan Bridget, Oct-Dec.

- Complete reading articles.
- Write a Review
- Submit to Steering Group and make amendments

Involvement of Young Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals
To ensure participation of young people in project. All members, Oct-Feb.

Contact a second young gay man to join the Steering Group Ensure regular participation by young lesbians, gays, bisexuals

Seminar
To disseminate the findings of the research project, to enable young people to have a voice and to provide agencies with an opportunity of responding to the needs

identified. All members, Jan-Feb.

1. Agree Format
   
2. Invite presenters
   
3. -Publicity
   
4. -Venue
   
5. -Staffing
   
6. -Reports/Documents
   
7. -Workshops
   
8. -Evaluation
   

Objective 2
Support Group/Network
To facilitate establishment of a support group for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth in Calderdale. Patrick Ambrose to co-ordinate, Oct-Feb

1. Register group with Community Education
   
2. Apply for funding under partnership scheme
   
3. Draw up a job description
   
4. Publicise post
   
5. Select workers
   
6. Supervise workers
   
7. Liaise with young people regarding suitable venue
   
8. Publicise group
   

Objective 3
Inter Agency Group
To facilitate participation in project of both agencies and young people. Paul Harris to co-ordinate, Oct-Feb.

It is proposed to hold bimonthly meetings whereby all of those currently involved in ACTION would attend plus people from other organisations invited who could relay their experience and to inform ACTION of developments in, for example,

1 0

funding, curriculum development, training, etc. The beginning of each meeting
would include an up-date of work enabling a whole picture of what is happening in

Calderdale to be built up.

	-	Venue
	-	Agenda
	-	Chair
	-	Minutes
	-	Distribution of minutes
	-	Correspondence
	-	Invite speakers
	-	Invite agencies

        Costs

Contracting out survey with young people: -F5,000. This leaves E600 to cover the costs of the Seminar and adminstration costs incurred by CKHAL.

        Schedule
        October

	-	organise Steering Group meeting
	-	organise Inter-Agency Group meeting
	-	acquisition of funding and contracting research project
	-	completion of questionnaire
	-	literature review
	-	develop agency survey questionnaire
	-	involvement of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth
	-	funding for youth support'group, venue
	-	publicity for young peoples' survey

        November

	-	organise Steering Group meeting
	-	literature review
	-	conduct agency survey
	-	publicity for young peoples' survey
	-	collect data for young peoples' survey
	-	begin to input data from young peoples' survey
	-	involvement of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth
	-	employment of workers for youth support group
	-	publicity and networking for youth support group

1. December
   
2. organise Steering Group meeting
   
3. organise Inter-Agency Group meeting
   
4. completion of literature review
   
5. computerisation of agency survey
   
6. publicity for young peoples' survey
   

1 1

collect data for young peoples' survey input data from young peoples' survey involvement of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth establishment of youth support group

        January

	_	organise Steering Group meeting
	-	analysis of agency survey
	-	agency survey report and evaluation
	-	input data from young peoples' survey
	-	analyse data from young peoples' survey
	-	begin to write report for young peoples' survey
	-	involvement of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth
	-	seminar: agree format, invite presenters (reports, agency
		representatives, young people, media), arrange publicity, venue,
		staffing, workshops for seminar
	-	on-going support for youth support group

        February

	-	organise Steering Group meeting
	-	organise Inter-Agency Group meeting
	-	complete report of young peoples' survey
	-	complete Organisation of seminar
	-	hold seminar
	-	involvement of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth
	-	complete evaluation report for seminar
	-	complete evaluation report for young peoples' survey
	-	complete evaluation report for support group
	-	complete overall evaluation report
	-	on-going support for youth support group

RESULTS
At the end of the Project the following deliverables will have been achieved:

- the needs and experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual young people will have been identified and disseminated to appropriate agencies in Calderdale

- a better picture of what provision exists for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in Calderdale will be available

- lesbian, gay and bisexual young people will have been given an opportunity to voice their concerns

- statutory and voluntary agencies will have been given an opportunity of responding to the needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual youth

- a new support group for lesbian, gay and bisexual young people will have been established

12

- a method of inter-agency co-operation regarding issues concerning lesbian, gay and bisexual youth will have been established.

It is anticipated that this will result in:
better and more appropriate service provision,
an improvement in the self-esteem of those lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in Calderdale who utilise services

and a reduction of the effects of homophobia within lesbian, gay and bisexual young people in Calderdale, i.e.

homelessness
attempted and completed suicide self-harming behaviours eating problems school drop-out alcohol and drug misuse
HIV and STD infections.

EVALUATION
There will be several evaluation processes within the overall project, these will include an evaluation of:

1. Agency Survey (Jan Bridget)
   
2. Young Peoples' Survey (Researcher)
   
3. Seminar (Becky Reynolds)
   
4. Establishment of Support Group for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth (Patrick Ambrose)
   
5. Inter-Agency Group (Paul Harris)
   
6. Aim, Objectives, Methods of entire project (Jan Bridget)
   

NEXT STEP
The plan was agreed by the Steering Group at its meeting on October Ist with some amendments which have been incorporated
Implement plan








13

APPENDIX A
ACTION FOR LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL YOUTH IN
CALDERDALE

ACTION PLAN

PRE-RESEARCH PROJECT (Attgttot 1997 December

1. Set up Action Group and decide on aims, objectives, methods.
   

	2.	Set up Inter-Agency Advisory Group.
	3.	Acquire funding for research project.
	4.	Set up network of young lesbians and	young gay men.
	5.	Recruit workers (researcher and word	processor).
	6.	Adapt questionnaires?

DURING RESEARCH PROJECT (January 1998-March 1998)

1. Support and supervise workers.
   

1. Continue to facilitate Inter-Agency Advisory Group.
   

1. Exit interview/Evaluation of research project.
   

AFTER RESEARCH PROJECT (April 1998 onwards)

10. U@ research report to lobby for funding (Health Service,
Lottery, etc) -

1. utilise research report to draw up job descriptions, etc.
   

1. Continue to facilitate Inter-agency Advisory Group.
   

1. Recruit, train, etc., new workers.
   

1. Action group to act as management group/supervision for
   
   1. workers.
      
2. TIMESCALE FOR RESEARCH PROJECT
   
   1. AqpWeel;Survey of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth
      
   2. Begin Computerisation of findings Network of relevant agencies (provision survey)
      

1. Weeit 5 -4 Complete computerization of findings
   
2. Conduct provision survey
   
3. Analysis of findings of both surveys
   
4. to write Report
   
5. to plan Seminar
   

1998 - Complete writing Report
Disseminate findings:
Plan and Execute (mid March)
Send out copies of Report
Medla r
Exit Interview/Evaluation

APPENDIX B

ACTION
for Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Youth in Calderdale



Financial Statement for the period ended 9th September 1998
of the monies held by the Lesbian Information Service on behalf of Action.





        Income

	Caiderdale & Kirklees Health Authority	07.01.98	500.00
	Calderdale Community Foundation	06.04.98	1,250.00
	Halifax Area Gay Group	18.06.98	100.00
			1,850.00

E=nditure

Calderdale & Kirklees HIV & AIDS Unk 09-09.98 1,850.00
1,850.00




1 cetn that this financial statement is true and complete.








Eleanor Ross
Treasurer. Lesbian Infoffnation Service.
5 Broughton S@ Hebden Bridge,
West Yorks. HX7 SJY.

APPENDIX C


ACTION FOR LESBIAN, GAY AND BISEXUAL YOUTH IN
CALDERDALE

STAFF COSTS CALCULATION

Job Title: Project Researcher

Scale Reference: JNC Scale 2, point 11 (E38.37 per 3 hour session)

Salary: E2,302.20 (3 months, half-time, pro rata 60 sessions)

National Insurance Contribution: E162.75
SUB TOTAL: E2,464.95

        Job Title: Word Processor

        Scale Reference: E5 per hour

        Salary: 180 hours = 900

        National Insurance Contribution: E26.91

        SUB TOTAL: E926.9 I

        BUDGET

Total Staff Costs:

3,391.86

Staff Recruitment:

100.00

Stationery:

40.00

Telephone:

50.00

Postage:

40.00

Seminar costs (room hire, food)

750.00

        'Travel & Subsistence (includes worker
        and participants at Action meetings

and seminar)

200.00

SUB TOTAL

4,571.86

Adndn/Office (10%):

457.18

TOTAL COSTS:

E5,029.04

APPENDIX D

ACTION FOR LESBIANI GAY AND BISEXUAL YOUTH IN
CALDERDALE - QUESTIONNAIRE SECTIONS

Section 1: Background information, i.e. age, race, ethnicity, class,
disability, and size, family

Section 2: religion

Section 3: education

Section 4: careers

1. Section5: college
   

1. Section6: training
   

1. Section7: employment
   

1. Section8: benefits
   

1. Section9: social services
   

1. Section10: youth service
   

1. Section11: health service
   

	Section	12:	law
	Section	13:	housing
	Section	14:	advice/counselling agencies.
	Section	15:	coming out
	Section	16:	information'
	Section	17:	sexuality
	Section	18:	relationships
	Section	19:	friendships
	Section	20:	social and community
	Section	21:	mental health
	Section	22:	physical and sexual abuse
	Section	23:	self care/self abuse
	Section	24:	general health
	Section	25:	safer sex

	Section	26:	gynaecologica/female health
	Section	27:	male health
	Section	28:	any other areas of importance?

APPENDIX E

RESULTS OF EXPLORATORY SURVEY

D, 24, white, middle class, gay man:

Provide funding for an independent body to set up a centre similar to Dashline which would provide information on, e.g. sexual health, housing, parents, support at school, etc. Centre also provide space for group to meet plus platform to expand into other areas (given funding) including publicity on how to contact the drop-in centre. The centre would then be a focal point and somewhere to go and talk to someone about things.

R, 22, white, working class, gay man:

Education for gay people. It's all very well facilitating safer sex but we need emphasis on education about same-sex relationships especially to young people (16-20) who are coming out and do not know the ins and outs of coming out.

At school, as a young gay man, I would have liked more about homosexuality as a general issue, that it is more significant now than it has ever been. Young [gay] people leave school misguided about homosexuality - it's never mentioned - so they should be educated to make their own minds up about what they think.

Not a lot of people know what Calderdale provide. I don't know what they provide for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. I know there is the GU clinic. Maybe there could be a drop-in centre (like the GU clinic) that is there for gays and lesbians - health, counselling, general issues (health the main factor) but for young people coming out, somewhere to go and someone to talk to, somewhere can go to speak to a qualified person about their fears; that would be good.

Also, a decent gay pub but that's not something Calderdale could provide [youth centre, community centre] some sort of social venue we can go to that is exclusively gay, talk to people, meet new people. There's a hell of a lot more gay and lesbian people in Calderdale than people think.

C, 24, white, middle class, gay man:

First thing access to safer sex information like a drop-in/health shop where you can go in for condoms, testing for hepatitis B; central support group catering for younger end, I was involved with a group in Nottingham that had a telephone line.

S, 21, white, working class, gay man:

Well, there is MSM. I don't know' ' More help coming out, more support. Everyone is in a different situation. It maybe easier for some and not for others.

APPENDIX F

			0 U N C I L
			LEADER OF THE COUNCIL
	Our Rf,@f	PW/AM	Councillor Pam Warhurst

	Your Ref		Town Hall , Halifax HX 1 1 UJ
			Telephone Halifax (01422) 393098
	Date		Fax Halifax (01422) 393133
		16 September 1998

Dear Service Provider

Jan Bridget of ACTION for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Young People in Calderdale has received funding from Calderdale Community Foundation, The Pennine Rural Development Area and Calderdale and Kirklees Health Authority to conduct a survey.

Jan, you may remember, took part in our Social Justice Seminar where her presentation on Multiple Disadvantage gave a new insight into our perspective on Equal Opportunities.

It is her intention to conduct a survey of voluntary and statutory services in Calderdale to ascertain what'provision of support exists for lesbian, gay and bisexual youth and then, together with her other findings, to hold a one day seminar at the end of February 1999, to which the agencies and young people involved in the survey will be invited.

I am sure the information gathered from this exercise will be invaluable and if you are approached, I would ask you to assist in this survey so far as it is possible for you to do so.

Yours faithfully,




Pam Warhurst

back to history