Charity Information
AKT
Who we are - We are akt, our mission is to ensure that every LGBTQ+ young person facing homelessness or a hostile living environment has a safe place to live.
What we do - We give LGBTQ+ young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness support they need to thrive. We have four offices located in London, Bristol, Manchester and Newcastle, as well as live chat to offer support across the UK.
Why we do it - Coming out or being outed as LGBTQ+ can still lead to young people being made homeless. We believe that no LGBTQ+ person should be facing homelessness because of their identity.
Some messaging and stats here:
The UK still isn’t safe for LGBTQ+ youth.
1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth face violence and abuse at home before contacting akt. Many are rejected from mainstream services before coming to akt for help.
akt is the only national charity specialising in LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. We urgently need your help so we can keep up with demand for our life-saving services. In London, our team are at capacity for almost half the entire year, meaning hundreds of young people cannot access support.
Our expert caseworkers help young people into safe accommodation, education, training, healthcare and more. A £100 donation made today could provide 8 hours of specialist 1-1 support. Donate this Pride and give LGBTQ+ youth somewhere #safetobe.
Messaging expanded:
“I was suicidal. Now, I’m excited about life. akt has changed everything for me.” – Tom, a young akt service user in London.
Our 35 years of experience working with homeless youth has shown us that intolerance is the leading cause of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in the UK. Despite some phenomenal progress made over the years, the UK is slipping back when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. For the young people we support, this means increased violence, abuse and rejection at home.
akt is the only national charity specialising in LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. We represent a safe place to be for those who have nowhere else to turn. Our caseworkers support young people into safe accommodation, education, training, healthcare and more.
Although 50% of the young people we work with had already contacted their local authority for help but, a shocking 2 in 3 had been refused support, had failed to hear back, or had received a profoundly negative experience.
No one should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are.
why lgbtq+ homelessness should be on your radar
* Up 24% of young people experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+.
* 77% of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness could be preventable, as it is caused by familial rejection, abuse and ejection from the home.
* The impact on LGBTQ+ young people’s health, wellbeing, safety, and life chances (education, employment) is much greater than their peers.
* Less than half (44%) of LGBTQ+ young people were aware of housing support services the last time they experienced homelessness.
* Over half (59%) of LGBTQ+ young people have faced some form of discrimination or harassment while accessing services.
Who we are - We are akt, our mission is to ensure that every LGBTQ+ young person facing homelessness or a hostile living environment has a safe place to live.
What we do - We give LGBTQ+ young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness support they need to thrive. We have four offices located in London, Bristol, Manchester and Newcastle, as well as live chat to offer support across the UK.
Why we do it - Coming out or being outed as LGBTQ+ can still lead to young people being made homeless. We believe that no LGBTQ+ person should be facing homelessness because of their identity.
Some messaging and stats here:
The UK still isn’t safe for LGBTQ+ youth.
1 in 4 LGBTQ+ youth face violence and abuse at home before contacting akt. Many are rejected from mainstream services before coming to akt for help.
akt is the only national charity specialising in LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. We urgently need your help so we can keep up with demand for our life-saving services. In London, our team are at capacity for almost half the entire year, meaning hundreds of young people cannot access support.
Our expert caseworkers help young people into safe accommodation, education, training, healthcare and more. A £100 donation made today could provide 8 hours of specialist 1-1 support. Donate this Pride and give LGBTQ+ youth somewhere #safetobe.
Messaging expanded:
“I was suicidal. Now, I’m excited about life. akt has changed everything for me.” – Tom, a young akt service user in London.
Our 35 years of experience working with homeless youth has shown us that intolerance is the leading cause of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness in the UK. Despite some phenomenal progress made over the years, the UK is slipping back when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. For the young people we support, this means increased violence, abuse and rejection at home.
akt is the only national charity specialising in LGBTQ+ youth homelessness. We represent a safe place to be for those who have nowhere else to turn. Our caseworkers support young people into safe accommodation, education, training, healthcare and more.
Although 50% of the young people we work with had already contacted their local authority for help but, a shocking 2 in 3 had been refused support, had failed to hear back, or had received a profoundly negative experience.
No one should have to choose between a safe home and being who they are.
why lgbtq+ homelessness should be on your radar
* Up 24% of young people experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQ+.
* 77% of LGBTQ+ youth homelessness could be preventable, as it is caused by familial rejection, abuse and ejection from the home.
* The impact on LGBTQ+ young people’s health, wellbeing, safety, and life chances (education, employment) is much greater than their peers.
* Less than half (44%) of LGBTQ+ young people were aware of housing support services the last time they experienced homelessness.
* Over half (59%) of LGBTQ+ young people have faced some form of discrimination or harassment while accessing services.