Volunteer in Manchester: LGBT+ young adults needed to share their experiences in schools
News
Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, is looking for young adults aged 18 to 25 in Manchester to volunteer and speak in schools about growing up LGBT+.
Just Like Us’ unique Ambassador Programme allows LGBT+ young people to benefit from a range of opportunities, like career mentoring, skills workshops, media opportunities and community building with other LGBT+ young people, as well as providing them with training to speak in schools and prevent anti-LGBT+ bullying.
The charity will run two-day training events throughout the year, both online and in person. In person volunteering training in Manchester will take place on 11 and 12 November 2023.
Attendees will learn all they need to know to become a fully trained Just Like Us Ambassador alongside other like-minded LGBT+ young adults in a fun, safe and relaxed environment.
Charlie Middleton, a trans Just Like Us volunteer Ambassador who grew up in Manchester, said: “Growing up was challenging for me. With LGBT+ topics not being widely talked about, or mentioned in a negative light, it really made me have a lot of internalised hate. Not having education around what the term transgender even meant made me feel like there was something wrong with me.
“Being an ambassador for Just Like Us has been deeply moving for me and really has given me the opportunity to grow confidence, be proud of my sexual orientation and gender identity, and given me the support needed to make positive changes for other young people.”
Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, said: “Manchester has a rich LGBT+ history and vibrant community, but that doesn’t mean that life is easy for LGBT+ young people in and around the city. In fact, our research has shown that more than half of LGBT+ 11 to 18-year-olds in the North West feel lonely on a daily basis.
“Just Like Us’ ambassadors do amazing work to help tackle this issue, providing school pupils with positive, relatable LGBT+ representation and helping them understand that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated. As well as making a huge difference in schools and helping to prevent anti-LGBT+ bullying, our ambassadors are able to increase their own confidence and empowerment as part of a community of LGBT+ young adults across the UK.”
