Barca-Leeds' Wellbeing Hour service supports young people and young adults who identify as LGBTQIA+ who are struggling with their mental health, by providing access to counselling, workshops, advocacy and mentoring. From April 2024 to March 2025, 33 young people attended group workshops at Farnley Academy focused on exploring identity, belonging and wellbeing.
"I enjoyed being able to connect with people in my community."
- Young person
Four LGBTQIA+ workshops at Farnley Academy created a safe and confidential environment for young people to explore LGBTQIA+ role models, meet other members of the community and have experiences where they could expand their knowledge of LGBTQIA+ communities. Session themes included identity, representation, role models and mental health.
Young people were given the space and autonomy to freely discuss challenges related to their identity, share tools for resilience, and explore and celebrate LGBTQIA+ identities. The workshops provided a space for peer support between the young people to share tips, understanding and empower each other.
"It has given me a clearer view on who I could be."
- Young person
All the young people felt there were significant improvements in their knowledge, sense of community, mental health and wellbeing, and understanding and awareness of their own / others’ identity. School staff fed back that the group greatly benefitted the young people who looked forward to the sessions each week.
"I learnt how to not be scared and how to stay safe."
- Young person
Following support from the Wellbeing Hour service, young people felt that they:
