LGBT+ volunteers needed in London to speak in schools and prevent anti-LGBT+ bullying

Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, is looking 18 to 25-year-olds to volunteer in London 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 volunteer training in London will take place on 29 and 30 October 2023. 

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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.

Arber Gashi, a Just Like Us Ambassador who grew up and volunteers in London, said: “I often felt like I was not good enough for simply being who I was naturally and organically, I felt like I was always seen as the ‘odd’ or ‘strange’ one. I internalised the need to conform to everyone’s gendered standards of how a ‘proper’ boy should be. 

“I often experienced bullying in school, and my attendance and academic performance was impacted by this, and I also experienced significant mental health issues which I am still overcoming. 

“Just Like Us has given me the space to be myself, in a way I never thought I was able to do. Speaking in schools has made me more confident in who I am and my identities, to the point that I am now able to talk about my experience with ease and pride.”

Laura Mackay, Chief Executive of Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity, said: “While many might perceive large cities like London to be places where it’s easy to grow up LGBT+, we know that LGBT+ pupils across the UK are still disproportionately facing challenges at school. 

“We know from our research that LGBT+ school pupils are twice as likely to be bullied as non-LGBT+ pupils, but Just Like Us Ambassadors are helping to change that. By being the representation they would have needed while at school, they are able to make classrooms safe spaces for LGBT+ pupils UK-wide, while also increasing their own confidence and empowerment. 

“We can’t wait to welcome our new ambassadors to our London training event, where they will join an incredible community of LGBT+ young people working together for inclusion.”