LGBT+ Community Hub

The lack of services available in some areas has led us to develop a concept that will establish dedicated LGBT+ community hubs in areas where no services exist. 

We are currently exploring this in the South Wales Valleys and will be the first LGBT+ Community Hub in Wales.

It will:

- Reduce social isolation
- Improve wellbeing
- Increase community connections to the community
- Provide a safe space

This dedicated Community Hub for the LGBT+ community will consist of:

- A Café (drinks and non-hot food) run by volunteers that will enable to development of new skills as well as help bring additional revenue into the project
- Lounge Space to encourage social interaction and provide an opportunity for local LGBT+ artists to exhibit their work
- Community space to hold events, activities and workshops including group therapy sessions, youth provision, groups for older LGBT+ people as well as inter-generational projects and projects to support the trans community
- Access to specific LGBT+ services such as mental health support and sexual health services

We hope that the provision of a safe space and the café element will also benefit the communities allies and bridge the gap between those who are LGBT+ and those who are not.  Not only will this reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing but will also enable differing communities to increase community connections.  It is often said that visibility can be a powerful tool in tacking discrimination and through the hubs presence, we believe that it can help eliminate the stigma that can often be targeted at the LGBT+ community.The Community Hub will be managed by the LGBT+ community who will be able to choose and develop the activities that take place - although the leadership within Club F.O.D  is LGBT+, we will establish a steering group from within the local LGBT+ community so that the service always reflects local needs. This means that this service will truly be run by the LGBT+ community for the LGBT+ community.

Club F.O.D will engage with local statutory services to develop links with mental health, sexual health and other support services. Historically we have signposted to services but the development of the Community Hub will enable us to also provide a 'halfway house' between those services and the LGBT+ community.