Our Journey
Allsorts Youth Project listens to, supports & connects children & young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (LGBT+).Founded in 1999, Allsorts Youth Project has been delivering LGBT+ youth services for 25 years! In that time a lot has changed for LGBT+ people in the UK. Section 28 was repealed in 2000, the age of consent was equalised in 2001, the Gender Recognition Act (2004) and Equalities Act (2010) were introduced, and the Marriage Act brought the UK closer to marriage equality in 2013 and we have celebrated every step of the way, adapting to changing times whilst seeing and acknowledging that there is still so much more to do.Allsorts challenges exclusion, prejudice, and discrimination in all areas of their lives with a three-pronged approach, grounded in youth and community work:
- Youth service: youth groups and activities, one-to-one support, and volunteering opportunities.
- Parents & Carers service: peer support groups, family activities, and one-to-one support
- Training service: to the wider community, so that all spaces can be safer and more inclusive for LGBT+ people.
In recent years, the project has grown and we now offer services across Sussex, from our delivery hubs;
- Brighton & Hove
- Chichester
- Worthing
- Horsham
- Crawley
- Hastings
- Eastbourne
Timeline
1999 -
Allsorts Youth Project is founded by Jess Wood MBE & James Newton
2002 -
LGBT+ Training & Peer Education begins
2006 -
Allsorts becomes Trans Inclusive
2008 -
Open Minds group providing mental health support & wellbeing activities is formed
2012 -
Transformers (ages 16-21) trans group in Brighton is formed
Under 16s (ages 12-15) LGBT+ group in Brighton is formed
2013 -
Parents/Carers group is formed
Trans Awareness Training delivered to schools/organisations
2014 -
Kids Group (ages 5-11) for trans and/or gender-exploring primary school aged children is formed
School Contracts begin with schools in Brighton & Hove
2016 -
Rainbow Flag Award is established and Allsorts becomes South East delivery partner
Urgent Need Advocacy Service launched in partnership with MindOut
2017 -
West Sussex pilot scheme launches in Horsham & Chichester
2019 -
Jess Wood OBE retires, and Katie Vincent is appointed new CEO
West Sussex groups expand to Worthing
Launch of POC inclusion pilot
Launch of youth-led podcast, "Allsorts of Thoughts"
Advocacy Service & Schools Work expand to West Sussex
2020 -
Online Services made available in light of COVID-19 lockdown
2021 -
Hybrid Approach of online & in-person services continues
YPOC Group established in Brighton for LGBT+ young people of colour
LGBT+ youth groups expand to Hastings
2022 -
LGBT+ youth groups expand to Crawley & Eastbourne
GIDS Pilot Project launched, offering 4-week programme for young people and families on the waiting list or being seen by GIDS.