Arcus prides itself on being an LGBT+ organisation, and our primary service is aimed at supporting LGBT+ people and providing LGBT+ awareness for both our volunteers and the broader public. While our doors are forever open to allies and those who wish to know more its important for us to reflect on what makes us unique in focusing on LGBT+ people and why its important we continue to do so.

You may have seen our recent article on Suicide Prevention Day titled ‘What can we all do this world suicide prevention day’ https://arcuslgbt.com/what-can-we-all-do-this-world-suicide-prevention-day/ aspects mentioned that decrease the level of suicidal acts within LGBT+ groups were:

– Ensuring Social Support is Available from Adults and Peers.
– Creating and Participating in Affirming Spaces and Activities.
– Maintaining Policies and Practices that support people living authentically.

While there are a lot of activities that LGBT+ people can participate in freely there is also a unique perspective that comes from being within a smaller cohort of the population that requires people with similar experience or additional knowledge to help navigate some of the unique challenges facing the LGBT+ community. While we can never guarantee that the experience of any one person will be shared by another, there are spaces where experience and understanding overlap closely within our community and even across other minority communities.

We aim to maintain a service that puts authenticity at the heart of who we are, and in turn we hope that you will be able to engage with us in the same manner; with your authentic self.

We operate not just as a counselling service but as a support organisation of caring individuals who want to see others thrive and provide the space for them to do so. Where we operate public groups and activities we hope to make it clear that you will be welcome regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, those aspects should not limit your participation but the clarity in presentation and form is in an invitation to anyone who may otherwise feel reserved.

All our services and volunteers are here to ensure that we operate a safe space for people to be themselves, that we are here to provide support for all our peers wherever they may be based.

Other services that may better serve some of the more specific individual needs it takes LGBT+ people to thrive, but our job at Arcus is to make sure that our mental health support service remains LGBT+informed and that should people wish to access our professional services they can feel safe in the knowledge that who they work with will have a shared interest in their experience as an LGBT+ person. Even if you’re not LGBT+ yourself that experience within our service helps us say we have counsellors who are ready to work with you in a compassionate and understanding manner.

LGBT+ services are not a luxury but a necessity, in order to ensure we are looking after LGBT+ people equitably, services like Arcus will continue to strive to make others feel safe to live and present as their authentic selves.

With Love, Arcus