How This Teesside Charity Supports Local LGBTQ+ Communities
Hart Gables supports LGBTQ+ communities across Teesside and East Durham
For almost two decades, Hart Gables has worked closely with some of Teesside’s and East Durham’s most marginalised LGBTQ+ communities, making a substantial impact where it’s needed most. The charity provides essential support to individuals living with poor mental health, those who are seeking asylum, and those who are living with physical and hidden disabilities. ‘Many of our service users face the harsh realities of recurring hate crimes, discrimination, poverty, and social isolation,’ explains charity lead Sarah Lewis.
The charity was originally set up by a group of friends living in Hartlepool who felt there was a lack of support for LGBTQ+ people in their area. ‘The organisation aims to improve the emotional wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people living in Teesside and East Durham, with a focus on reducing loneliness and social isolation, tackling inequality and supporting individuals to reach their full potential,’ says Sarah. ‘The charity also aims to raise awareness and help local mainstream organisations become more accessible and inclusive to LGBTQ+ communities.’
Currently Sarah notes a rise in hostility towards trans+ communities with transgender hate crime in the UK rising by 11 percent in 2023. ‘Similarly, the ILGA Europe’s review of LGBTQ+ rights detailed that by 2023 the UK's ranking had fallen to 17th place, falling behind Ireland, Germany and Greece,’ Sarah adds. ‘In 2015 the UK was ranked first for LGBTQ+ rights.
‘The rights and dignities of trans people are being debated heavily in parliament and nearly all media stories circulated are negative towards trans people. Unfortunately, and potentially because of this, Hart Gables is seeing a rise in the number of people accessing the service with poor mental health, and those who are accessing support are presenting with more complex needs.’
Since Hart Gables reached charity status in 2005 the service has made significant progress. Once solely volunteer-led, it now has a team of six paid members of staff. Their support groups and project delivery have expanded across Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool and Peterlee, with the charity running five weekly support groups and a six-day a week service for people who need one-to-one emotional support.
In 2016 Hart Gables set up the LGBT Forum – Tees Valley and East Durham with an aim to support mainstream services to identify gaps in their service provision, as well as to encourage local conversation around key issues faced by LGBTQ+ communities. In 2017 Hart Gables launched its successful fundraising project LGBT Advance Training and Consultancy, which aims to help local organisations become more LGBTQ+ inclusive. ‘All money raised goes directly back into the organisation, supporting those living in poverty with travel expenses and food, ensuring the service is accessible to all, and no person accessing it goes hungry,’ says Sarah.
Since then Hart Gables has been nominated for various awards and the charity has also been highly commended twice at the North East Charity Awards in the category of ‘small charity of the year’.
Hart Gables’ initiative encourages social responsibility and there are many ways to support the charity. ‘Whether it’s a cake stall or raising funds another way, supporting your local LGBTQ+ community this Pride season and beyond can make a huge difference to local people,’ Sarah concludes. ‘Hart Gables lives with hope that someday in the future there will be no need for an LGBTQ+ service, but until then, their work will continue, offering support to local LGBTQ+ communities, aligning the support they offer, with the needs of local people.’
