Service Providers

Information for youth workers

Sexuality is an important part of our identity for all of us. For young people this may be particularly true. Firstly because they may be experiencing new, changing and sometimes powerful emotions, and secondly because the whole area may be one of intense speculation by friends.

Supporting young people can also be a challenging experience requiring particular skills, awareness and sensitivity. However too often the subject is not tackled, or only tackled reactively for fear of 'getting it wrong' thereby supporting the conspiracy of silence in which myths, prejudices and assumptions can thrive.

Healthy Gay Hampshire has developed a range of training materials designed to help youth workers develop skills and confidence both in responding to young people who may be questioning their sexuality, but also thorough whole groupwork on dealing with attitudes towards sexuality, and dealing with difference. Many of the exercises can also be used directly with young people. If you, or your colleagues feel that they might benefit from this training, please contact us in the office.

Useful links for young people:

Freedom Youth (the gay lesbian and bisexual youth group for Basingstoke)

Useful links for developing work:

AVERT