Youth Services
Allsorts provides non-judgemental and safe spaces for children and young people to connect, feel heard, valued, and safe. Find out more about our services using the buttons above, and if you would like to get involved, attend a youth group or access our one-to-one sessions, you can make a referral using the button below.
Please note, you will not be able to attend our groups or one-to-one sessions without having had an introductory meeting with one of our Youth Support Workers (what to expect at a meeting).
We look forward to meeting you!
*If you require support completing the referral form, please contact youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk
We look forward to meeting you!
Does this sound like something you’d like to join in?
Safeguarding
At Allsorts Youth Project, all staff, volunteers and trustees think your health, safety and welfare are very important. Allsorts has a Safeguarding Policy for staff, families, volunteers and Trustees. Everyone who works for Allsorts must make sure they have read it.
Youth Groups
Our youth groups are fun and supportive spaces for Sussex-based children and young people to make friends, connect with the LGBTQ+ community, explore identity and participate in workshops and activities. You will meet in a comfortable & confidential setting with other LGBTQ+ young people where you can get involved in workshops and activities that matter to you and build your skills, resilience and confidence. We will also connect you with other professionals and organisations as and where appropriate.
At our youth groups, you can expect to get involved in fun, creative and interesting activities, participate in group games and have the opportunity to go on trips and residentials! We have guests visiting our youth groups from other organisations & services, which you may find helpful and interesting, and of course, we have free food and drink!
All Allsorts staff and volunteers are LGBTQ+ and are trained to work with young people. There are usually between two and four staff members and volunteers who help us run our groups.
We plan activities and workshops (either delivered by Allsorts staff or visitors) with you in mind. On occasion, we will cover topics including sexual health, hate crime, mental health, relationships and identity. We encourage all young people to give it a go, as we pride ourselves on creating a safe and supportive environment for discussing challenging topics. We know it is important to provide spaces for open and honest discussions, for learning together, and for feeling safe and comfortable challenging each other. We won't shy away from tricky conversations, and we will support you through these discussions, topics and themes.
Please note that you will not be able to access Allsorts unless you have made a referral and had an introductory meeting with one of our Youth & Education Service team (what to expect at a meeting). We look forward to meeting you!
*If you require support completing the referral form, please contact youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk
“This group is made for young people, by young people. You can be yourself and express yourself here”
Introductory Meeting
Until you have had an introductory meeting with an Allsorts staff member, you won’t be able to attend our groups.
All children & young people will need to have an introductory meeting with a member of our Youth & Education Service before attending Allsorts services. This is an informal chat that allows you to get to know us, helps us better understand any support needs you may have, and gives you a bit more information about Allsorts. We will also discuss confidentiality and how we store the information you provide.
When and where?
Brighton
Fortnightly LGBTQ+ Groups (ages 16-21 + 11-15)
Monthly Trans, Non-Binary & Gender-Exploring Group (ages 16-21)
Monthly Kids Group (ages 5-11)
LGBTQ+ YPoC Activities (ages 16-21)
Worthing & Eastbourne
Monthly LGBTQ+ Group (ages 11-15)
Monthly LGBTQ+ Group (ages 16-21)
Horsham & Crawley
Bimonthly LGBTQ+ Group (ages 11-15)
Bimonthly LGBTQ+ Group (ages 16-21)
One to one support
Youth Support Workers will work with you using a support plan to help you to identify what you need support with to reach your goals. Your support plan will be reviewed at each session, and we will work with you to help you reach your goals.
Our Youth Support Workers are not counsellors; however, if we believe a counsellor or another professional would be better placed to support you, we can discuss those options with you. You can access six individual support sessions over a period of six months with your Youth Support Worker if you need them.
These sessions will be based on the principles of youth work:
Young people choosing to take part
Utilising young people's view of the world
Treating young people with respect
Seeking to develop young people's skills
Helping young people develop stronger relationships
Respecting and valuing differences
Promoting the voice of young people
One-to-One sessions often focus on some of these areas:
Sexuality and/or gender identity
Helping you reach your full potential
Increasing resilience – helping you to bounce back
Building and encouraging healthy relationships
Building self-esteem and self confidence
Improving communication between parents/carers, family and friends
Keeping yourself emotionally and physically safe
Offering practical support and guidance when appropriate
“I really wouldn’t be the person I am today without the support that Allsorts has provided me”
How many sessions can I have, where are they and how long are they?
We can offer up to six sessions and may take place over a period of weeks or months. These sessions may take place at a youth centre, online or in the community depending on what is best. We would encourage you to meet in person where possible.
Is the One-to-One Service confidential?
Yes. Information about you is only shared with people outside of Allsorts at your request or with your permission. There may however, be occasions where we need to pass on information about you if the Youth Support Worker feels that you or someone else is at significant risk of harm.
What if the One-to-One sessions can't help me?
There may be times where we know of a service that is better placed to help you with your support needs (e.g. a mental health service, drugs & alcohol, counselling, sexual health services). If this is the case we will discuss referring you to another service and will support with onward referrals.
How do I access One-to-One Sessions?
You can email us at youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk or make a referral here
What happens next?
You will be requested to fill out a one-to-one referral form with all of your details and what you would like to achieve in sessions. We will assign you a Youth Support Worker and that person will then contact you, usually within a few weeks, to arrange your first appointment.
Please understand there may be a gap between the worker contacting you and your sessions starting, depending on how busy the one-to-one service is at that time.
What if I am in crisis?
The one-to-one service and Allsorts Youth Project is not an emergency or crisis service but we have a page on our website that lists services here
Kids Group
The Kids Group is a fun and supportive monthly group for trans and gender-exploring children of primary school age (5 - 11 year-olds).
At the Kids Group, we provide:
A safe space for children to be themselves
A chance to meet other trans and gender-exploring children
Fun games
A chance to get arty and join in with creative activities
Trips out
Snacks
A separate space in the building for parents/carers to meet
Please note that children will not be able to access Allsorts unless they have made a referral and had an introductory meeting with one of our Youth & Education Service team (what to expect at a meeting). We look forward to meeting you!
If you require support completing the referral form, please contact youth@allsortsyouth.org.uk
Is this something your child could benefit from?