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GISDA is a charity that has supported
vulnerable and homeless young people
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in Gwynedd for more than 35 years by giving
them accommodation and support,
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and it became very apparent over the years
that
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a lot of the young people we were supporting
were from the LGBTQ+ community.
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The purpose of the project was that
there was no specific support for them
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so we were very eager to change that situation.
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We operate across Gwynedd and we have
opened clubs in Caernarfon,
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Blaenau Ffestiniog and Phwllheli.
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I personally believe that the project
has offered them a chance to actually
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be able to explore their identities
in a safe environment and also connect
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widely with the wider LGBTQ+ community.
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Alongside that as well, by offering awareness
raising sessions in schools and in local
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organisations, we can ensure that services
are better equipped to support
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young LGBTQ+ people
and also that the wider community is more
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accepting of them and understanding
of the barriers that they may face.
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As a company, we re very eager
to continue to develop our equality,
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inclusion and diversity policies,
and for example, at the moment
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we're developing
neurodiversity and transitioning at work policies.
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The staff have welcomed this development
in our company and we've had support
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from organisations, such as Chwarae Teg,
to help us with our policies
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and we're very grateful for that.
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So, just go for it!
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It's so important.