The LGBT+ Northern Social Group (NSG) began as a Facebook group in 2017. It was set up to provide a safe space for LGBT+ people to meet up and connect without experiencing the pressures, expectations or prejudices that they might encounter in other meeting spaces for LGBT+ people and communities. During Pride Month we asked LGBT+ Northern Social Group to talk us through their journey so far and how Connected Voice Support and Development has guided them in becoming a registered charity.

Whilst there is much to celebrate during LGBTQ+ History Month and it is important to mark how far we have come in protecting the rights of people from LGBTQ+ communities, it is also a time to remember that there is still work to be done to ensure no-one is discriminated against or subject to Hate Crime. Sherene Meir, our Hate Crime Advocate, interviewed George

December 10th is Human Rights Day and a time to reflect on how human rights and advocacy go hand in hand.

Connected Voice is hosting a 'Doing Things Differently' event on 2 December, which includes the Albert Kennedy Trust talking about meeting the hidden needs of young LGBTQ homeless people as demand for their services has soared. Here we tell the story of one of our service-users from the LGBTQ+ community and how we supported them.

During National Safeguarding Awareness Week (16-22 November) we want to focus on the support our Independent Advocates provide under the Care Act 2014.

In National Safeguarding Awareness Week (16-22 November) Jane Kingston gives an overview of safeguarding,  explains how advocacy supports people going through safeguarding processes and what to do if you suspect someone is at risk and unable to protect themselves.

From Monday November 2nd it’s National Trustees week – and it’s good to take some time each year to reflect on Trustees.  There are about one million charity Trustees in the UK, providing governance to organisations which, by some estimates, contribute £200 Billion of economic value each year.

This Black History Month we can’t merely share yet another Martin Luther King Jr. quote or mourn the loss of the Obamas in the White House as we may have done in previous years.

We welcome our new Hate Crime Advocate, Sherene Meir, who joined our team in September. Read her article below which provides a really useful analysis and local information about hate crime and shows how an independent advocate can support you if you are a victim of hate crime.

Guest Blog from Sandra Morland and First Step, Newcastle 

We were grateful to receive a small grant from the Community Foundation made up of contributions from The Pea Green Boat Community First Fund, The Daphne & Martin Cookson Fund and The Sara Alexandra Bernstone Fund.