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AKT Merges with Outpost

AKT Merges with Outpost

LGBT youth homeless charities AKT and Outpost merge to sustain and improve services for young people

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) youth homeless charities the Albert Kennedy Trust (AKT) and Outpost Housing are to merge from 8 May 2013 to help meet rising demand and sustain vital services for young people.

Outpost will continue to operate in the north east and offer support and accommodation to LGBT young people at risk of homelessness. They will be re-named AKT Outpost.

AKT
will continue to offer its range of services for LGBT young people in the north west and London.

AKT Chief Executive Tim Sigsworth says "AKT and Outpost have a lot in common and by coming together we hope to continue and enhance the level of help and support that LGBT young people at risk of homelessness receive across the north east, northwest and in London. Despite ten years of progressive legislation which has enabled young LGBT people to feel more confident to come out at an early age – the reality is that when they do they are still greeted with the same level of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia at home or school experienced 24 years ago when AKT was established by Foster Carer Cath Hall. Nationally we are now seeing an increase in demand for our services of around 30% and by sharing our knowledge, expertise and some of our running costswith Outpost we can ensure every penny possible goes directly to support the growing numbers of young people who need our help."

Chair of The Albert Kennedy Trust, Samantha Days, says "this is a very exciting and crucial step in AKT and Outpost continuing to deliver and develop vital services for LGBT young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It will give us the opportunity to explore delivering these services on a national level and continue to alleviate the terrible circumstances some of our young people experience".

Chair of Outpost Housing, Jim McElderrysays "Outpost has received tremendous support in recent years from local funders such as Newcastle City Council and the Northern Rock Foundation but we know if we are going to be able to protect and develop housing support services for LGBT young people in the North East we need to do more. This merger opens up new funding opportunities for us and means we can now be part of a national campaign for LGBT young people without losing our local identity."

Sam,a young person who was helped by Outpost Housing, says "As a young person who ran away from home in Southampton to live in Newcastle; Outpost have been amazing with supporting me with LGBT difficulties. When I heard that they have decided to merge with The Albert Kennedy Trust I was very happy and felt content, especially as it means that in the future if I decide to move from Newcastle I could still receive support and also means I can be happy wherever I live. As the charities have become national, I feel that this provides more options for young people and personalises the service for people like me."

Published: 9-May-2013: (1909)

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