Funding Recommendations

Funding of LGB youth work is sporadically spread nationally. Projects have often had to develop many innovative funding partnerships, which have enabled LGB youth work to thrive.

It is increasingly common for funding sources to be made up of several different funders. Historically LGB youth work has often been born out of HIV funds but with such funds decreasing it is vital for all projects to build strong links with other partners and research their funding thoroughly. So:

• Develop a funding strategy and circulate to all interested parties for feedback and advice, including young people
• Undertake training on funding and how to submit successful funding applications
• Use the internet to research your topic and funding applications and use as much national and local information to support your bid as possible
• Ask other projects who have been successful about how they obtained funding.

Funding for this work is so diverse it is hard to make recommendations that will apply to a specific area of work or the needs of local LGB young people.

The need for projects and workers to record their work becomes more vital when applying for funding and developing their work.  Good practice in this area should include building up data about clients and work, this cannot be underestimated.

It is strongly recommended that the following is recorded about work:

• All the LGB young people you have worked with in any setting including by phone, in person, in groups, on the scene, outreach etc.
• The demographics of the LGB young people you have worked with
• The issues raised by LGB young people
• The referrals made to other agencies and time spent on individual work
• Work undertaken with partners or associated links, for example schools, police or parents
• How LGB young people access services, as this will provide valuable insight around how to reach your target audience effectively.

Advertising and Funding

LGB young people have been successfully attracted to youth groups by securing funding for advertising and literature in funding bids and to produce the literature, which sells services. This work has attracted high numbers of LGB young people to services, which increases the potential to attract further longer term funding.

It is vital to utilise LGB young people’s skills in developing media and resources and to take advice from LGB young people in developing materials aimed at attracting more service users.