Renaissance UK has been the leading charity in Blackpool for LGBTQ+ support services since the late 1990’s.
Over the years, funding to support this community has been limited, but through a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and community venues, along with innovative community-based fundraising activities, we have achieved a lot within the vibrant LGBTQ+ community of Blackpool.
Renaissance UK have been able to support many struggling LGBTQ+ people by providing peer support and health and wellbeing groups, as well as community development, to enable people to live well and to succeed.
More recently, it has become apparent to the team at Renaissance UK, that LGBTQ+ communities struggle to access services in the town. There are many reasons for this, from actual and perceived discrimination to a lack of awareness and knowledge of the community from providers and in some instances, direct cases of homophobia and hate crime.
Renaissance UK wanted to explore this in more detail and build a clear insight into the LGBTQ+ community of Blackpool. We believe, that with our extensive local knowledge and experience with this community, we are best placed to deliver the support and services that this community needs.
Thanks to funds raised within the LGBTQ+ community and full support from the charity’s local commissioners at Public Health, Blackpool Council. We were able to launch the Blackpool LGBTQ+ Futures Research Project, to explore the need within our town.
I would like to thank everyone that has taken part in completing the survey and those who volunteered for face-to-face interviews, to share their stories with us.
We hope, that with this evidence, we can go on to design a bespoke service that can support LGBTQ+ community members in Blackpool to not only live safe and healthy lives, but to excel as their authentic selves. We also strive for Blackpool to become a beacon of diversity and inclusion, where every resident can be empowered to succeed.
Anthony Harrison-West
Sexual Health Manager at Renaissance UK and Chair of the Blackpool LGBTQ+ Forum
