Out and proud gay actor John Partridge supports Jigsaw he says: “I am one of the lucky ones! My family has always supported me, never judged me, loved me for who I am. That is not the case for many LGBT young people. Please, if you can, join me in supporting the Jigsaw initiative.”

PRESS RELEASE

Jigsaw project offers total support to combat lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) youth homeless

Four specialist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender charities have launched a total-help initiative to reduce homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT youth). Jigsaw brings together legal advisers Stonewall Housing, young people’s homelessness and support charity Albert Kennedy Trust, the UK’s leading mental health organisation PACE and Galop, which supports victims of homophobic crime. Together, these organisations will provide a complete network of services for young people at risk from becoming homeless.

Despite the greater legal recognition of LGBT people, social acceptance is far from universal. Even in London today, many young LGBT people face rejection from their own family, persecution from their own communities, and even physical attack. Furthermore, most offenders of homophobic hate crime are aged between 16 and 20 and the majority of hate crime happens near victim’s homes.

Jigsaw’s co-ordinator, Michael Nastari, comments: “The effects of homophobia and transphobia on young people’s lives can be devastating. As a result, they can fail to succeed in education, miss out on employment and training, and suffer a range of mental health issues, just because of who they are. Jigsaw is the first initiative of its kind to put the pieces together, making a clear picture of the portfolio of support available. Young people who use Jigsaw gain access to a complete range of services, specially tailored to their individual needs.”

Typical examples of the services Jigsaw users can benefit from include specialist advice to improve personal housing situations and safety, support to improve emotional wellbeing, education employment and training opportunities. Other support includes access to youth groups and help in building up social networks.

The Jigsaw project is supported by a number of celebrities and politicians. Actor John Partridge, comments: “I am one of the lucky ones! My family has always supported me, never judged me, loved me for who I am. That is not the case for many LGBT young people. Please, if you can, join me in supporting the Jigsaw initiative.”

American-British TV and radio personality Amy Lamé, comments: “It is shocking that so many LGBT young people are forced out of homes onto the streets by their own families, simply for being who they are. In many cases unconditional love doesn’t seem to apply. I am proud to be involved in Jigsaw and it’s great to hear how it is helping LGBT young people put their lives back together.”

Deputy Mayor for London Richard Barnes says: “During these times of economic uncertainty it is inspiring to see voluntary sector organisations join forces to help meet the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) young people.

It is important to recognise the skills that specialist organisations bring to the table, when working with minority groups. Jigsaw brings together four organisations, each with their own specialism, creating a dynamic initiative, which responds holistically to the needs of young people. I am proud to see London tackling the endemic issue of LGBT youth homelessness head on, and am delighted to support the launch of Jigsaw. I look forward to seeing this pioneering initiative prosper.”

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NOTES FOR EDITORS
Each partner within the Jigsaw project offers its own specialised area of expertise for homeless people in its care. Stonewall Housing is a Community Legal Services-accredited advisory service and the UK’s largest provider of housing for young LGBT people. The Albert Kennedy Trust provides homes through supported lodgings, as well as mentoring, advocacy and general advice to enable young people to successfully live independently. PACE, a charity focused on mental health and emotional wellbeing, provides a professional therapeutic service for people facing issues like anxiety, coming out, sexual identity, depression and relationship difficulties. Galop provides advice and support to victims of crime. Their mediation service enables victims to report crimes without having to speak directly to the police.