We empower LGBT+ young people in school and beyond
Home and school both have a huge influence on young people’s lives. A supportive environment is the difference between struggling to picture their future and thriving as their authentic selves, safe in the confidence that who they are is something to be celebrated.
Just Like Us educates and activates allies – from an LGBT+ Guide for Parents to training, resources and support given every day to more than 14,000 teachers across the UK.
We empower LGBT+ young people directly and ensure the adults around them know how to support them too – so they can thrive.
“Being a Just Like Us volunteer has bolstered my confidence in advocating for myself and being unapologetically myself. I now feel comfortable being open about being non-binary at work, and see interactions where colleagues are lacking knowledge or awareness as opportunities to teach them about my and other queer identities.”
Ren, an LGBT+ young person
We make schools safer, happier and more inclusive
School pupils who hear positive messaging about LGBT+ people in their lessons, feel safer and happier. Our lunchtime and after school Pride Groups give pupils a safe space to be themselves, learn leadership and advocacy skills and build allyship. It’s a place where they can finally breathe and no one will judge them for who they are.
Our LGBT+ inclusive education work across primaries and 4 in 5 secondaries drives better outcomes for safety, wellbeing and school attendance – even for pupils who aren’t part of the LGBT+ community.
Every day, teachers download our resources tackling anti-LGBT+ attitudes. And every PrideJune, pupils across the UK celebrate Rainbow Friday.
“It’s a safe space and you’re accepted no matter what.
It’s amazing, really.”
School pupil in Hertfordshire on having a Pride Group
We grow young people’s confidence
From skills workshops on employability, wellbeing, and empowerment to training young adults to speak about the need for allyship in schools, Just Like Us supports LGBT+ people to grow in confidence.
Our Ambassador Programme trains and supports the UK’s largest network of LGBT+ volunteers aged 18-25. Often it’s the first time they’ve ever been in a space where everyone is LGBT+, and the skills they learn set them up for a positive future. Then they use these skills and knowledge to speak to the next generation in secondary schools about their experiences.
We also provide LGBT+ young adults with a 12-month mentorship, pairing them with a senior LGBT+ professional so they can develop industry-specific skills and feel confident entering the world of work as their authentic selves.
94% of LGBT+ young adults say their confidence has improved thanks to Just Like Us.
We build community
LGBT+ young people are three times more likely than their peers to be lonely every day.
Through delivering school talks, spotlighting LGBT+ heroes in lessons, helping pupils to lead their own Pride Groups and a young adults’ Ambassador Programme, Just Like Us shows LGBT+ young people that they are not alone.
We make sure they know they are part of a thriving community, that they matter and they belong.
“[Having a Pride Group is] like being in a supportive family where we all look out for each other and that you’ll be welcomed no matter what.”
School pupil
We equip parents and carers to support their LGBT+ children
Although the majority of straight parents consider themselves to be supportive of the LGBT+ community, their support often goes unspoken. As a result, a third of LGBT+ young people are still not confident that their parents will accept them.
Silence leads to shame. That’s why we ensure parents have the tools they need to open up conversations and support their child.
Our LGBT+ Guide for Parents supports families to create a supportive environment at home. It helps them understand that LGBT+ people come from all walks of life. It shows them how to navigate through the challenges that LGBT+ young people face.
More broadly, we empower every parent to be an ally.
Why now?
Recent years have seen increasing hostility, particularly towards trans young people, and rising levels of hate crime.
As the world becomes more polarised, young people have faced a 25% increase in the most serious cases of anti-LGBT+ bullying in schools over the past four years.
Despite progression of certain legal rights such as adoption and marriage, LGBT+ young people still have little autonomy. They don’t get to choose if they grow up in an accepting home or go to a school where they’ll be bullied.
Just Like Us supports young people directly and equips allies, including teachers and parents, to make that difference possible.
Watch our ambassadors share their stories
Donate today
LGBT+ young people need our support more than ever
In these increasingly difficult times, LGBT+ young people really need our support and demand for our programmes is growing. Please will you make a donation to Just Like Us today?
A small amount monthly may be more manageable and would help us commit to long-term projects.
