Family Support Service
Allsorts not only supports children & young people but parents/carers too.
.png)
About
The Allsorts Parents/Carers Group emerged in 2013 in response to the need for parents/carers of children and young people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender or Unsure (LGBTU) of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to connect in a confidential and safe-space and provide each other with support, community and friendship.
The group was initially called ‘Sara’s Group’ in memory of Sara Taverner, a former parent trustee at Allsorts, who started the group and sadly passed away only a short time after. We are forever grateful to Sarah for her role in initiating this group.
Shortly after its formation, it became apparent that the group was almost exclusively attended by parents/carers of transgender and gender-exploring children and young people and not those of LGB young people. Therefore, the focus of the group shifted to meet the needs of those parents, with telephone support being offered instead to parents of LGB children and young people who very occasionally reach out for support from Allsorts.
The group meets regularly and is facilitated by a Family Support Worker from Allsorts Youth Project.
Our Aims
It is our intention to provide a space where you can:
- Find support, community and friendship with other parents/carers.
- Share experiences and information, in confidence, with other parents/carers.
- Have your voice heard and, when appropriate, have your views feed into to consultations with local and national services, such as education and health
What we don't do
- Provide, or subscribe to, one explanation of why children and young people are transgender or gender-exploring.
- Provide any diagnosis or assessment of children and young people.
- Accept-language, or the expression of views, that would be deemed as transphobic or discriminatory in any other way.
Allsorts Youth Groups
- Primary School Age: Kids Group which runs monthly on Saturday mornings
- Secondary School Age: TAG a fortnightly LGBTU group
- College Age: Drop-in runs weekly and our monthly Transformers group (specifically for trans and gender-exploring young people) which both provide support for our over 16’s, up until they turn 26.
Get in touch...
To enquire about our Family Support Services, please get in touch at parents@allsortsyouth.org.uk or click the button below.
.jpg)
"Thank you to everyone at Allsorts for being so ruddy amazing. You are all so supportive and I know that my son relishes an environment where he can explore who he is. We gain so much from coming along and talking to other parents… we’re always swapping stories, advice, listening and telephone numbers!
I don’t know how we would have survived or navigated the past few years without you all."
PARENT - KIDS GROUP
"My child and I are so grateful for all your help and support; sometimes, as I am sure you see and have experienced, it is hard to know where to turn for the very precious voice of reason, experience, knowledge and above all understanding."
TAG PARENT
"I don't think we would be in the position we are in now if it hadn't been for Allsorts. Our daughter wouldn't feel as confident, we wouldn't feel as able to support and be informed"
PARENT - KIDS GROUP
"Our daughter has been attending the kid's group on Saturday's for about 18 months. In that time we have seen her confidence grow and her anxiety levels decrease"
PARENT - KIDS GROUP
"I believe that the parents get as much out of that opportunity to get together one Saturday a month as the kids do. We use the time to share experiences, offer advice and give support."
PARENT - KIDS GROUP