LGBT+ volunteers needed in Wales to bring positive representation to young people in schools

Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, needs LGBT+ 18 to 25-year-olds in Wales to volunteer to speak in schools, bringing much-needed positive representation to young people.

By volunteering as an ambassador with Just Like Us, you will receive training to speak in schools, get access to skills workshops, have the option to get a career mentor and meet a community of LGBT+ people. 

LGBT+ 18 to 25-year-olds can sign up now to volunteer.

Though hundreds of LGBT+ young people volunteer as Just Like Us ambassadors across the UK, just a small fraction are located in Wales, where positive LGBT+ representation is sorely needed. 

According to Just Like Us’ report Growing Up LGBT+, LGBT+ school pupils in Wales were the loneliest in the UK. 60% of LGBT+ young people in Wales said they felt lonely on a daily basis. This figure was 52% for LGBT+ young people in the UK. Just Like Us also found that 73% of LGBT+ young people in Wales have contemplated suicide.

However, the charity’s research has found that positive LGBT+ representation in schools is linked to young people having better wellbeing. 

Wales LGBT volunteering

Tristan, a Just Like Us ambassador in Wales, said: “Having LGBT+ ambassadors within Wales is crucial to ensuring young Welsh LGBT+ people see that they are represented and that there are people like them!

“Being an ambassador is so rewarding, as you get to be the representation you didn’t have growing up.

‘Reaching Welsh students is critical to ensuring that access to LGBT+ education is available within Welsh schools.”

Amy Ashenden, interim CEO of Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, said: “We know that LGBT+ young people across the UK face disproportionate challenges, but our Growing Up LGBT+ report showed that young LGBT+ people in Wales are the most lonely. 

“Young LGBT+ people in Wales who decide to volunteer with Just Like Us will join ambassadors across the UK in using their voices and sharing their stories in schools, helping to stop anti-LGBT+ bullying. 

“Our ambassadors form a strong and supportive community with one another, and can take advantage of other opportunities in the programme, including skills workshops, LGBT+ career mentoring and taking part in media opportunities, while also being the LGBT+ representation that is so vital in helping young people to feel seen, valued and hopeful about their futures.”