Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is launching a new youth group for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) young people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin – one of a number of services run from the charity's new office in Wellington.

The charity is inviting more LGB young people aged 13 to 19 to join the group, which meets on alternate on Fridays (between 5.30 and 8pm) and Saturdays (between 12 noon and 2.30pm).

The group, which is supported by Telford Youth Service and other youth services, will provide a safe space for LGB young people to meet and share experiences. Young people will also be able to gain Information and support on:

Coming out
Sexual health
Isolation
Homophobia
Self-esteem and body image
Drugs and alcohol
Self harm
Mental health and physical wellbeing.

LGB young people often have bad experiences in mainstream services because of homophobia and because the services are not set up to cater for their needs.  People who attend THT's youth groups have often been bullied at school, and may also face bullying if they attend their local youth group.

Paul Gruffudd, Terrence Higgins Trust's Gay Men's Health Promotion Officer in Wellington said:
"There's currently very little for lesbian or gay people in Shropshire, so we're really pleased to be launching the youth group here. It's so important that lesbian, gay and bisexual young people have somewhere they can meet people and just be themselves, without worrying about bullying and feeling different."

THT runs LGT youth groups from many of it's offices throughout the UK including: London, Brighton, Bristol, Swansea, Coventry, Wellington and Oxford. For more information see www.tht.org.uk.

If you would like to find out more about joining THT's Shropshire youth group, please contact Paul Gruffudd on 01952 221 412 or call or text him on 07766 523 506.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• Terrence Higgins Trust provides drop-in services at the following centres in Shropshire:

The Kingswell Centre in Oswestry (every other week)
The Ludlow Foyer Project in Ludlow (every other week)
At Terrence Higgins Trust's office in Wellington every Tuesday from 2pm to 5pm, every Friday from 10am to 1pm and on the first Thursday of every month from 6pm to 8.30pm.

The Terrence Higgins Trust office for Shropshire is based at:
4 Park Street
Wellington
TF1 3AE

• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to over 50,000 people a year.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.