The Outside Project is opening emergency hotel spaces this winter for LGBTIQ+ people experiencing homelessness, unsafe living situations or sofa surfing and they need volunqueers (as they are affectionally called).
This project resonates with me for very personal reasons. Many years ago, I spent 2 nights sleeping on the streets of London. Events in my life had taken a sudden, unexpected and traumatic turn. It’s called a crisis point, a term many of us in the queer community can relate to. I was 23. My boyfriend died, along with my best friend. I couldn’t pay all the rent. I knew no-one else in London. I was estranged from my family (my father had died shortly before). I couldn’t have been more alone. I simply couldn’t and didn’t cope. Had it not been for the help of a kind but near total stranger, who gave me emergency shelter asking for nothing in return, I don’t know what would have happened to me. Many years later I look back and thank that person from the bottom of my heart, time and time again. There are many different stories out there. Everybody’s crisis point is different and mine is just one, but they all illustrate how vital this service is.
The hotel spaces will be in central London and provide a safe identity responsive space for our community. The Outside Project has been open as a 24/7 service since the first lockdown in 2020 and have remained open throughout the pandemic (also opening STAR Refuge and their new LGBTIQ+ Community Centre in Borough).
The Outside Project started off as a winter shelter and they have gradually expanded their services in order to meet the needs of LGBTIQ+ people. Funded by the Homelessness Winter Transformation fund, they will be opening additional winter bed spaces for 2021.
“Winter is always a more dangerous time for people experiencing homelessness, and our community often does not have access to mainstream services. This can be due to multiple different forms of oppression. Providing LGBTIQ+ people with an identity responsive space to recover from their crisis point can be transformative and we prioritise responding to people’s needs and celebrating LGBTIQ+ identities, histories and achievements – for us both go hand in hand and we’re grateful for the continued support that has made this possible”
Jesse Ashman, Community Organiser, The Outside Project told QX,
“It’s such a relief to have this service available to our community again this year in light of the ongoing covid pandemic. Our community has made this possible and it will undoubtedly continue to support us to support more marginalised members of our community who are in crisis. It’s great to be able to welcome back volunteers on our crew this year, after only having staff on site during lockdown.”
For any of you reading, who would like to be a volunqueer, there are lots of ways you can help. Many of the guests staying are socially isolated, so being a ‘befriender’ is a way of caring that can make a huge difference to a person’s wellbeing. There are lots of practical things that need doing also, from assisting with evening meals, to cleaning and laundry. The library needs help, as does the office. There are events to be held, funds to be raised and campaigns to be organised.
All the guests, as they are respectfully called, will have their own room with an ensuite and support provided by an LGBTIQ+ staffed team. However, the bed spaces are only open for referrals from partner organisations, AKT, Galop and Stonewall Housing, who provide LGBTIQ+ advocacy and casework. So if you are homeless or think you might be, please visit their website to find the best way to refer yourselves to them – https://lgbtiqoutside.org/help/”
This is an essential service, and your help would make a great deal of difference to people’s lives. If you would like to support the work of The Outside Project you can find out how to volunteer here https://lgbtiqoutside.org/volunteer/ and donate here https://lgbtiqoutside.org/donate-3/. We can all play our part in affecting change.
THEIR MISSION
The Outside Project is an LGBTIQ+ Community Shelter, Centre and Domestic Abuse Refuge in response to those within the LGBTIQ+ community who feel endangered, who are homeless, ‘hidden’ homeless and feel that they are on the outside of services due to historical and present prejudice in society and in their homes.
- Provision of identity responsive housing and spaces for the LGBTIQ+ Community
- Professional and ‘knowledge by experience’ peer-led support to LGBTIQ+ people in crisis
- Advocacy for LGBTIQ+ rights and needs within wider systems and services
- Promoting improved ‘social health’ and sobriety within the LGBTIQ+ Community
- Develop relationships with services to strengthen support for the LGBTIQ+ Community
- Share their knowledge to educate others on the unique & complex needs of LGBTIQ+ people
