Words by Smiley Team
A charity which helps LGBT+ young people develop their confidence, mental health and wellbeing is celebrating a successful partnership with a global investment management firm.
Just Like Us work to improve the lives of young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or trans through initiatives including their School Diversity Week, student-led Pride groups programme in schools and their ambassador programme for LGBT+ 18 to 25 year olds.
They have been working with investment firm BlackRock since 2018, and in addition to a grant the business has also supported their employees to give time, skills and support to the charity.
During the pandemic, BlackRock provided public speaking training to Just Like Us’ London volunteer ambassadors to prepare them for speaking in schools about being LGBT+, and help inspire the next generation to be themselves and become better allies.
BlackRock’s families network has also supported the charity with a panel talk on the importance of LGBT+ allyship, given CV and interview practice advice to volunteer ambassadors and helped with a rainbow ribbon campaign to fundraise for Just Like Us.
BlackRock’s Managing Director of Global Public Policy Group, Martin Parkes, said: “Working with Just Like Us’ student ambassadors to build their stories and narratives has been hugely rewarding.
“Their ability to show that embracing your LGBT+ identity is a journey to be taken over time with friends and allies is so empowering. I wish I had had mentors like that when I was 16.”
Chief Executive of Just Like Us, Dominic Arnall added: “We are so grateful for the continued support of BlackRock.
“Their grant and generous support – from helping our volunteers with interview practice to fundraising and speaking up about the importance of allyship – enables Just Like Us to help improve the lives of so many more LGBT+ young people.
“This support is vitally needed right now, particularly as we’ve found the pandemic has left LGBT+ young twice as likely to struggle with their mental health than their peers.”
To find out more about Just Like Us visit their website or follow them on Twitter.
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