LonGBoaT Wakefield: Our 5 Year Strategy
- LonGBoaT Wakefield
- May 2
- 3 min read
As LonGBoaT Wakefield celebrates its first year as a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), we’re proud to launch our new 5-Year Strategy: a clear, ambitious plan to improve the lives of LGBT+ people across the Wakefield District and strengthen our community.
What started in 2019 as a small community effort has, in the last year, quickly grown into something bigger. We’ve listened to what our community needs and responded with action. Our 5 year strategy recognises where our roots began, and builds on that giving a clear structure for the future.
What We’ve Learned: One Year In
When we became a CIO in April 2024, we thought we’d mainly be running events and building community spaces. What we didn’t expect was just how serious and complex the needs of LGBT+ people locally would turn out to be.
Our blog, A Local Look at National Trends, lays out the challenges in black and white: from mental health struggles and loneliness to discrimination, poverty, and barriers to healthcare.
The Wakefield JSNA gives us the hard facts:
5.8% of adults here identify as LGBTQ+ (much higher than the national average).
17.1% of Year 12 students are LGBTQ+ but they’re also more likely to face bullying, mental health issues, and isolation.
LGBTQ+ adults are far more likely to have experienced childhood trauma, self-harm, and problems accessing support.
It’s clear that the world we thought we were stepping into has shifted. Our strategy is a direct response to that.
Our Plan for the Next 5 Years
Our 5-Year Strategy is built around five key areas. Each one is shaped by what local people have told us matters most.
1. Events & Activities
We’ll build on what we do best: putting on events that bring people together. Expect new socials, arts and culture events, and campaigns that make sure LGBT+ people are visible and celebrated.
2. Services
We’ll use local data to plug the gaps. Whether that’s mental health support, groups for LGBT+ parents, or anything else that’s missing. We’ll also work with health services, housing providers, police, and schools to make Wakefield better for all LGBT+ people.
3. Finance & Sustainability
We’re aiming to grow our income incrementally to £200,000 through fundraising, grants, and community support. This isn’t just about money, it’s about making sure we’re here for the long haul.
4. Profile & Partnerships
We want LonGBoaT Wakefield to be a trusted name. We’ll team up with other organisations, push for better policies, and make sure LGBT+ voices are heard loud and clear, whether that’s through art, the media, advocacy, or direct action.
5. Trustees & Volunteers
Our volunteers and trustees are the heart of LonGBoaT. We’ll invest in their training, wellbeing, and development. We’re also committed to keeping a board that truly reflects the diversity of our community.
Our Themes for Everything We Do
Everything we work on over the next five years will link back to these key themes:
Community Safety
Tackling hate crime, working with local police, and helping people feel safe in their own homes.
Inclusion & Isolation
Reducing loneliness and creating welcoming spaces for everyone.
Healthcare Access
Fighting (and yes it is a fight) for better physical and mental health services.
Arts & Expression
Celebrating LGBT+ creativity through exhibitions, performances, and stories.
Community Development
Growing our work at Wakefield Kirkgate Station and using The Hub to drive change in the city.
Using data and feedback to continually update our offering in response to the community need.
Why This Strategy Matters
This isn’t just a plan on paper: it’s a commitment to our community. We know the challenges are real, and we’re stepping up to meet them head-on.
The evidence is clear: the time for change is now. Over the next five years, LonGBoaT Wakefield will grow in size, influence, and ambition: becoming a real force for change across Wakefield and beyond.
Whether you’re part of our community, an ally, a supporter, a policymaker, or a potential partner, we want you involved.
Want to get involved?
Email us: contact@longboatwakefield.org
Read the full document here:
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