I am thrilled to share some exciting news with our community. Blossom LGBT has been awarded a grant from Guildford Philanthropy for £7000 via the Community Foundation for Surrey. This grant will enable us to deliver holistic one-to-one career mentoring and coaching for LGBTQIA+ young adults across Surrey in person in Guildford.

Addressing Critical Needs
Recent research has revealed that LGBTQIA+ Gen-Z individuals are up to four times more likely to experience long-term unemployment than their heterosexual counterparts. Additionally, they tend to spend up to 50% less time in their first job role. These statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted support to help LGBTQIA+ youth navigate the unique challenges they face in the professional world.

At Blossom LGBT, we have been dedicated to offering a robust program of support aimed at young adults aged 16 to 30. Our services provide personalized career guidance, mentorship, and coaching to help them build the confidence and skills needed to succeed. This new grant will allow us to expand our reach and impact even further.

One of the critical issues we’ve identified is that many LGBTQIA+ young adults experience digital exclusion or safety concerns that prevent them from fully accessing our support through digital means. With the establishment of our new space in Guildford, these barriers will be removed. Young adults who previously struggled with accessing our services online will now have a safe and welcoming physical space where they can receive the support they need.

Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment

The space in Guildford will be available by appointment only, ensuring that each young adult receives focused, individualized attention. Our aim is to create an environment that emulates a professional setting, providing young adults with a realistic preview of what to expect as they enter the workforce. This will further enhance their preparedness and confidence as they embark on their career journeys.

Gratitude and Anticipation
We are incredibly grateful to Guildford Philanthropy and the Community Foundation for Surrey for recognising the importance of this initiative and providing the necessary funding to make it a reality. This grant will enable us to create a safe and nurturing space where LGBTQIA+ young adults can receive the support they need to succeed in their careers and contribute positively to their communities over the next 12 months.

I want to emphasise how crucial this development is for our community. Many LGBTQIA+ young adults face significant challenges at home, making remote mentoring programs inaccessible to them. With this new space, we can ensure that all young adults across Surrey have the opportunity to benefit from our mentoring and coaching programs, regardless of their personal circumstances.

We are excited to begin this new chapter and look forward to welcoming LGBTQIA+ young adults from across Surrey to benefit from this groundbreaking program.  At Blossom LGBT, we believe in the incredible potential of LGBTQIA+ young adults. When they are empowered to succeed without the fear of discrimination, amazing things can happen. This new initiative is a testament to our commitment to creating a more inclusive and supportive community for all.

Don’t forget you can sign up to our employability programme straight away by emailing Employability@blossom.LGBT today!