LGBT Youth Scotland Charter Campaign

As we worked through the LGBT Youth Scotland charter programme and carried out a consultation with our young people it was highlighted that LGBT people can still face a lot of bullying and discrimination.  Because of this we wanted to create a campaign that would promote inclusion and foster kindness and respect.  #INSPIREKINDNESS saw a Progress Pride flag make a 170 mile journey across all 15 of our houses.  Staff and young people really embraced the campaign and at every stop signed the flag with messages of love, positivity and support.

We started the campaign during Anti-Bullying week but it extended on throughout one of the busiest times of the year for our staff and young people.  In addition to this the needs of our houses and young people are ever changing so the commitment everyone showed in getting involved in sharing their kind messages has shown the dedication they have in celebrating everyone’s individuality and mutual respect for one another.  We can’t wait to celebrate everyone by framing and displaying the flag in our head office!

We asked some of our staff what the LGBT Youth Scotland Charter and the campaign meant to them, here are a couple of our favourites;

“The LGBTQI+ charter plays a vital role in supporting the children in our care, by promoting equality and respect. However, many youths still face challenges - bullying and mental health issues. To better support them, we need inclusive environments, comprehensive training for all staff, we need mental health resources tailored to meet their needs, and peer support networks. As a company, we should encourage youth members to come together in a safe space, to share their hopes, dreams, experiences, and fears, not only addressing their fears but about how we can make positive changes for the future. We have an LGBTQI+ working group, we should also give all children more of a voice and more support. To be the person they want to be. Additionally, we need better legal protections, such as anti-bullying laws, and safeguards for gender identity, are also essential. By advocating for these changes, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for the LGBTQI+ youth to thrive. Life is tough enough, let’s be more inclusive and understanding.”

"The LGBTQ+ campaign, focused on all young people and the teams signing the flag and embracing its values, has had a significant and unifying impact. The young people really enjoyed signing the flags and engaging in conversations with the team about its values. This collective act fostered open dialogue, replaced stigma with understanding, and strengthened our commitment to kindness and inclusion. By promoting these meaningful interactions, the campaign has empowered young people to express themselves authentically and inspired staff to lead by example. It has created a culture where diversity is celebrated, ensuring everyone feels valued and respected."

Gayle Williamson