My allsorts

This section is aimed at young people, with information for new and current members of the organisation. It can also be used for people wishing to know more about allsorts services.

Introduction

Background and general overview
Allsorts was set up in 1999 by a group of volunteers who recognised the need to set up a supportive space in Brighton and the surrounding area for young people under-26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and unsure. Our first drop in was Tuesday 26th October 1999. We provide:

At the Allsorts Annual General Meeting on the 21st November 2006 a resolution was unanimously passed to include Transgender young people and those who are unsure of the gender identity as members of Allsorts.

• A weekly LGBTU under-26 drop-in in youth centre in central Brighton
  
• One-to-one support and advocacy
  
• A website (with information about the project, local, regional and national links, resources on coming out to parents, members writing pages etc)
  
• An LGBT youth lending library based at the youth centre (including fiction, non-fiction, journals, magazines and training materials and pamphlets for people working with young people)
  
• A confidential phone line and e-mail address for information, advice and support
  
• Workshops and training sessions for young people and adults working with young people
  

The current main area of activity for allsorts is the Tuesday night drop-in. From 5:30pm - 8:30pm each Tuesday, young LGBTU people can meet in an informal atmosphere. Some of the time is spent with general chatting, catching up and getting to know new people, and some is spent doing specific activities, but you don't have to take part in this unless you want to.

Drop-in
The main drop-in on a Tuesday night from 5:30 to 8:30pm. The first part of the drop-in -5.30-7pm everyone just meets up, chills out, chats, and uses the computers. We have an informal supper at 6.30 and after 7pm there is at least one organized activity going on that you can choose whether or not to join in with. The drop-in is open to all LGBTU people under 26. (The drop-in is closed for two Tuesdays over the mid-winter/Christmas period and for the first two Tuesdays if August).

Introduction to the drop-in

There are workers and volunteers on hand to talk to and look after everyone. But because the drop-in is busy, if you know you'll be wanting to talk one-to-one with a worker, it's much better to book some individual support or call the helpline at another time.

Allsorts arranges a variety of activities, workshops, games nights etc during the drop-in. Sometimes of a Tuesday evening we'll all go out as a group for a BBQ on the beach, visits from other LGBT groups, bowling and a walk in the country etc.

The programme for the Tuesday drop-ins is planned by the members a few months in advance. Sometimes if something comes up, we change the programme and add new stuff but usually we more or less keep to it. There are always games, art stuff, magazines, books etc available and people to chat with if you don't feel like participating one week.

As often as possible we organise at least one residential trip each year for members of the group. We let you know about these well in advance. So far we have always been able to arrange that they are free to Allsorts members and we provide transport to the venues.