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East London Out Project (elop)
To provide dedicated, high-quality, user-centred, responsive and professional services to lesbian, gay, bisexual & trans (LGBT+) communities, that aim to preserve, promote & improve mental, emotional, psychological and social health, wellbeing, safety and empowerment, whilst working to challenge and eradicate discrimination and inequalities faced by LGBT+ people, and others questioning…
Description

To further develop and strengthen our LGBTQ+ youth mentoring service, we are seeking three committed volunteers to conduct a comprehensive literature review. This research will deepen our understanding of the broader impact of mentoring on LGBTQ+ communities and help us identify ways to improve our services for greater impact. 

Why This Research Matters 

LGBTQ+ young people face unique challenges that can significantly affect their mental health, social experiences, and overall well-being. Studies indicate that LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, often stemming from discrimination, social isolation, and rejection from family or peers. Access to affirming and supportive relationships is essential to help mitigate these impacts and foster resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging. 

Mentoring offers a crucial form of support for LGBTQ+ youth by providing safe, affirming spaces to explore identity, navigate challenges, and build coping skills. By tailoring our mentoring services to the specific needs of LGBTQ+ young people, we aim to create meaningful connections that contribute to positive outcomes, helping young people develop self-acceptance, resilience, and confidence. 

About Our Mentoring Program 

Our mentoring program supports LGBTQ+ young people (aged 12-24) in London. Engagement lasts from 8 to 26 weeks, depending on individual needs, and focuses on identity exploration, strengths-based growth, and addressing challenges related to their LGBTQ+ identity. Through informal, supportive mentoring, we aim to provide a positive impact on each participant’s journey toward self-discovery and empowerment. 

The research will focus on the following key questions: 

  • What does the literature reveal about the perceived impact of mentoring? 
  • In what ways can mentoring reduce the need for future interventions, such as mental health services? 
  • How can we further improve our mentoring service to better address the needs of LGBTQ+ youth?
  • The contributions of our volunteers will be instrumental in shaping and improving our services to create lasting, positive impacts. 
Duties
  • Conduct a comprehensive literature review on the impact of mentoring, with a focus on LGBTQ+ youth. 
  • Analyse and summarize key findings from the literature to identify gaps in current mentoring services and provide recommendations for improvements. 
  • Collaborate with the team to ensure the research aligns with the goals of enhancing our LGBTQ+ youth mentoring program. 
Who will the volunteers be working with?
Sarah Humphreys (she/her)

Chair
Training
Volunteers will receive comprehensive training to familiarize them with the organization and its mission.

Time commitment

There are no restrictions in terms of where or when the task can be completed, it can be remote with some follow up meetings. However looking to finish if possible by end of March.
Application deadline

Categories

This organisation is one of our community partner organisations.

Like all volunteer recruiters we work with, they have signed up to our service standards, agreeing to abide by our policy on partnership working to keep you safe and supported whilst you volunteer.

You’ll never be out of pocket for volunteering through us – with in-London travel expenses to and from your volunteering guaranteed.

In addition, the team here at Students’ Union UCL Volunteering Service is here to support you throughout your volunteering journey – you can get in touch with us at any time.