Freedom Youth
Freedom Youth is a LGBT youth group in Bristol. Founded in 1994 it acts as the only source of LGBT youth support, social & campaigning in Bristol and its suburbs.
History
The group was founded under the volunteer sector starting in July 1994. In June 1996 the youth group was awarded funding from the National Lottery to develop services for LGB young people for Bristol and the county which used to be Avon. This funding ran out in the year of 1999 and the project reduced it's services to a weekly drop in with funding form Bristol City Council.
On the 8th November 2005, by vote of Freedom Youth's last AGM, the local council, Bristol City Council, took over control of the group from the volunteer sector, due to staffing problems, funding and time restraints of the members of the committee. The council assigned 'Young People's Services' to running it. This service is now called 'Youth and Play services'.
In August 2008, the group successfully raised funds through a youth opportunities bid for seven young people to travel to Japan to run events to inform them on LGBT issues for young people and increase LGBT youth networks.
Overview
Today the group is for young people who are LGBT and questioning between the ages of 13 - 21, in line with who youth workers work with in Bristol.
The group is a safe-space which is intended to enable young people to meet other young people and reduce isolation which is seen as an issue with LGBT young people. It also acts as a point of reference for organisations and the council on youth LGBT issues and attitudes and as a place to support LGBT activism in the local areas.