Edinburgh’s Telford College – LGBT Youth Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland is Scotland’s largest youth and community-based LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) organisation and seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBT youth and LGBT communities in Scotland.  Their mission is to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people and the wider LGBT community so that they are embraced as full members of the Scottish family at home, school and in every community.

Julie Lough, a student at Edinburgh’s Telford College, was once a socially excluded young person with no positive role models.  As a complement to her college course she took on the role of a volunteer youth worker with LGBT Youth Scotland.  Her volunteering activities include staffing stalls at Pride, providing information to the general public, working with youth groups and providing the link between LGBT’s national structures and local groups.  “Volunteering has really given me a boost in self-confidence which allows me to be a positive role model for the young people I work with. I have developed my public speaking skills which has helped me deliver awareness raising sessions and also network with other equality organisations. This skill in particular has given me more confidence in job interviews.”
“As a volunteer I have access to training that deals with issues surrounding young people today. I use this learning with the youth group and also in my course at college. The training has included Young People and Self Esteem and Management in Activism among others. At the moment, my college course is teaching us about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The Young People and Self Esteem training has given me the confidence to actively use some of my learning in the youth group by enthusiastically encouraging the young people in their strengths. My work with LGBT young people has inspired me to continue my Counselling Studies to specifically include these marginalised youth.”
“The work I do has its own rewards when I see young people grow in confidence and take responsibility for their own lives.  I am proud to be able to use my learning in my counselling course at college and my training in enabling LGBT young people to feel more empowered.   I am happy that I am able to be a positive role model for the young people I work with today.”