Thank You Aster!

Space Youth Project would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Aster who raised £210 for us by shaving off their hair! This donation will help us to keep providing high quality support to Dorset’s young LGBT+ community through 1:1 support, family support, education and training, and, of course, our groups.

Aster is 22 years old, uses they/them pronouns and formally came out as non-binary in July 2020!

They are from Ringwood in Hampshire where they went to school with, (and are still one of the best-friends of!) our social media admin Megan. They currently work as a care assistant and have continued to look after vulnerable people in Dorset throughout the pandemic.

In January 2021, Aster shaved their head under the caption “I was going to do it anyway!” and donated 50% of the proceeds to us here at Space Youth Project and the other 50% to Just Like Us - a national charity which focuses on making LGBT+ lives easier at school and in the workplace.

Aster says:

“I shaved my hair because I felt it would be an affirming experience...and it was!

A lot of people have told me they want to shave their heads but they’re too scared, I would say do it, even if it’s only once!”

High Court Ruling

Space Youth Project is very aware of the ruling in the case between Quincy Bell & Mrs A vs The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust High Court Ruling. We, as an organisation, agree with the statements made by Gires and Gendered Intelligence.

Our hearts go out to the young trans people across the UK who have been affected by this ruling and we understand how disheartening this news can be. Please get in touch with us if you need support around this and we aim to bring the fight for trans lives into the new year.

Stay safe <3

Space Groups Remain Open in Lockdown

We are pleased to announce that the latest public health document released yesterday allows our physical groups to continue to run under current restrictions as laid out in: The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 -  Part 3, Restrictions of Gatherings, under the heading Exceptions in relation to gatherings (outlined and highlighted below).

Exceptions in relation to gatherings 11.—(1) These are the exceptions referred to in regulations 8, 9 and 10. Exception 1: same or linked households (2) Exception 1 is that all the people in the gathering— (a) are members of the same household, or (b) are members of two households which are linked households in relation to each other (see regulation 12).

Exception 2: gatherings necessary for certain purposes (3) Exception 2 is that the gathering is reasonably necessary— (a) for work purposes or for the provision of voluntary or charitable services; (b) for the purposes of education or training; (c) to provide emergency assistance; (d) to enable one or more persons in the gathering to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; (e) to provide care or assistance to a vulnerable person, including relevant personal care within the meaning of paragraph 7(3B) of Schedule 4 to the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(a); (f) to facilitate a house move.

Exception 3: legal obligations and proceedings (4) Exception 3 is that the person concerned is fulfilling a legal obligation or participating in legal proceedings.

Exception 4: criminal justice accommodation (5) Exception 4 is that the gathering takes place in criminal justice accommodation.

Exception 5: support groups (6) Exception 5 is that— (a) the gathering— (i) is of a support group, (ii) consists of no more than 15 persons, and (iii) takes place at premises other than a private dwelling, and (b) it is reasonably necessary for members of the group to be physically present at the gathering. (7) In determining whether the limit in paragraph (6)(a)(ii) is complied with, no account is to be taken of any child who is below the age of five. (8) For the purposes of paragraph (6), “support group” means a group or one to one support which is organised by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support to its members or those who attend its meetings, for example those providing support— (a) to victims of crime (including domestic abuse); (b) to those with, or recovering from, addictions (including alcohol, narcotics or other substance addictions) or addictive patterns of behaviour; (c) to new parents; (d) to those with, or caring for persons with, any long-term illness or terminal condition or who are vulnerable; (e) to those facing issues related to their sexuality or identity including those living as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; (f) to those who have suffered bereavement; (g) to vulnerable young people.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.