LGBTQ+ youth charity The Kite Trust awarded £1.7million to “tackle rise in LGBTQ+ hate”
The Kite Trust, an LGBTQ+ youth charity serving communities in Cambridgeshire, has been awarded two grants amounting to £1.7million by the National Lottery Community Fund to “turn the tide” for LGBTQ+ young people. Last year, 4,780 transphobic hate crimes were recorded across England and Wales – mor
The Kite Trust, an LGBTQ+ youth charity serving communities in Cambridgeshire, has been awarded two grants amounting to £1.7million by the National Lottery Community Fund to “turn the tide” for LGBTQ+ young people.
Last year, 4,780 transphobic hate crimes were recorded across England and Wales – more than double the amount recorded five years ago. In Cambridgeshire, the number of suspects investigated for reported hate crimes who are still children themselves (aged 10-17 years old), has also “dramatically increased” since 2019, according to the charity.
The youth charity will receive £1.2 million over five years from the UK Fund, to connect and empower LGBTQ+ young people and organisations across the UK, removing the barriers that prevent young people achieving their full potential.
The Kite Trust will also receive £500,000 over three years from Reaching Communities England. This second project will develop new approaches to tackling hate-based bullying in schools, and supporting families with an LGBTQ+ child in the East of England.
Pip Gardner, Chief Executive of The Kite Trust, said: “Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund, and players of the National Lottery, this funding will support us to work collaboratively with other youth organisations, schools, families, and LGBTQ+ young people to turn the tide and tackle the rising number of hate crimes, particularly those perpetrated by other young people.
“The projects will draw upon The Kite Trust’s experience of delivering LGBTQ+ youth support in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for over 30 years. Using this expertise and by working together with organisations in other areas, these projects aim to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ young people across the UK.
“We know there are many people looking for ways to show their support for LGBTQ+ people at this time and there will be several ways in which volunteers can get involved – sign up to our newsletter via our website to find out more.”
The Kite Trust supports LGBTQ+ young people across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and surrounding areas. The charity does this through youth work programmes including: individual support and social groups in Cambridge, Ely, March, Wisbech, Huntingdon, St Neots and Peterborough, and residentials.
