Testimonials
“All my life I’ve felt like I didn’t belong, this group however reminds me that I’m not alone, that there are people just like me, where I can be without fear or judgement, it’s like I’ve found where I belong, where I can grow, where I can thrive. If I didn’t have this group and Kelly or Rachel I probably wouldn’t be here anymore. They’ve helped me out of my shell and helped me mentally and emotionally.”
Young Person
“The organisation does much needed work and does it well. When my 24 year old autistic son told me that they were actually my daughter, it felt as if everything I thought I knew was wrong. I was confused, grieving for the person I thought I knew and also for the pain I knew they would have to endure in the future, as well as what they had already been through alone. I had no one to turn to and desperately needed to talk things through. A friend put me in touch with Rachel and, even though I live outside Herefordshire, they were happy to meet with me and offer support, both for me and for my daughter, as needed. The road is still bumpy, but Rachel has kept in touch with me and I know I can contact her at any time if I need to. The most important thing, for me, is to be able to talk to people who understand and to feel a sense of community, that we are not having to go through this alone.”
Parent
“Talk for Support CIC offer a vital platform for Hereford Pride to be able to bridge the gap & get the thoughts of the local LGBTQ+ youth. They founded the LGBTQ+ youth group, which is the first of its kind and much-needed within Herefordshire. The LGBTQ+ youth group continues to provide a lifeline for young people who cannot access the support, understanding or information that they need at home or at school. For many attendees, this youth group may be the first place they truly feel that they can be themselves.”
Gem Roberts, Director, Hereford Pride CIC
“Healthwatch Herefordshire approached Talk for Support at the end of 2022 in order to educate ourselves on issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in Herefordshire. Our initial meeting with Rachel and Ali was an absolute game changer in our learning and awareness. It immediately accelerated our passion in wanting to help the voice of the LGBTQ+ community be heard by both statutory health and care services and the VCSE sector. After a Gender Identify training session, we were invited to attend one of the support sessions. Listening to youngsters talk about their experiences first hand in a relaxed, safe environment was invaluable to us as an organisation. We learned about both good and bad practice within health and care services which we intend to highlight and act on as we start championing issues faced by the community. The support group is clearly a vital resource for young people in Herefordshire. Whilst Healthwatch have not yet attended any parent support sessions, we anticipate that these are equally essential for parents navigating their way through supporting their child/young person. One of Healthwatch’s roles is to offer a sign posting service and we will fully support Talk for Support should they wish us to promote any of their groups. Our strong links with both the statutory and VCSE sectors mean that Healthwatch is well positioned to do so.”
Karen & Sam, Healthwatch Herefordshire