Albert Kennedy Trust

Enables LGBT young people to live in safe homes and to fulfil their potential; aims to meet the changing needs of LGBT young people in order to help them live safe and independent lives; to challenge the discrimination which causes young people to experience homelessness, rejection and abuse; to educate, inform and challenge providers of services and wider society in order to ensure acceptance, support and respect for LGBT young people.

Provides:

• safe and supportive homes with LGBT carers through a Supported Lodgings Scheme
• informal support by helping young people build positive independent futures through mentoring & befriending
• advocacy, information and support by phone, face to face or email
• opportunities for young people to develop life skills to help them secure employment, their own tenancy or a place in higher education through accredited training programmes
• limited support provided to young people facing homelessness through an emergency support pack
• training and audit to mainstream housing and homelessness organisations as part of their ‘Making a Difference’ quality mark scheme

new project funded by the Forced Marriages Unit in response to an increasing number of young people from faith backgrounds contacting AKT who are being threatened with honour killings by their families who cannot accept their sexual orientation.