Social inclusion

Reducing the extreme isolation faced by LGBTQI people

The number of trans people who were murdered across 62 countries between 2008 and 2014 (TGEU)

Family rejection is the number one issue that LGBTQI people face (Micro Rainbow beneficiaries)

The percentage of pupils who are bullied for being LGBTQI in the UK (Stonewall)

Home > Social inclusion

Why we provide social inclusion activities

LGBTQI refugees are still rejected by their families and communities even in the UK. They become extremely isolated, without enough social safety nets and opportunities in life. They live at the margins of society, often in environments that expose them to increased abuse and violence.

Online Social Inclusion

To protect the safety of staff and clients, we have suspended our face-to-face social inclusion activities throughout the UK, our moving on workshops and face-to-face risk assessments for the housing programme. However, we are working painstakingly over the phone, by email and social media to support LGBTQI asylum seekers who are homeless, feel isolated and distressed or need guidance to move on. We are also doing risk assessments over the phone. We offer weekly online social inclusion sessions like relaxation, yoga, dance and legal workshops. If you want to join but don’t have enough mobile data we can top up your phone. Please email [email protected] to join our online activities.

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COVID-19

About our social inclusion programme

Our social inclusion programme aims to build friendships and reduce the extreme isolation faced by LGBTQI refugees, to strengthen communities where networks are fragile.

We currently deliver social inclusion activities in London, Birmingham and Leeds.

Social inclusion calendar

Please note that there is often a limit on the number of people that can attend the social inclusion sessions. Please email our social inclusion team at [email protected] to sign up to the activities, for more information and to receive details of future sessions in your area.

London

Birmingham

Leeds

London

Birmingham

Leeds

At Micro Rainbow you can access:

One-to-one support

For LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers to come along for a coffee and chat, we can make an appointment for you. This service does not give legal asylum advice but does provide emotional support while going through the asylum process.

Weather the Storm

A weekly peer support group for LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees. The emphasis of this group is on using creative expression to overcome stigma and isolation. Activities include:

Dancing workshops: Fearghus Ó Conchúir, Jamie Dryburgh and Stephanie Schober are internationally acclaimed choreographers and work together to deliver dance workshops for us once a month. A stress buster and working with music and the body to create a feel-good factor.
LGBTQI refugee choir: the choir meets once a month to reduce isolation, make new friends and make connections with other groups in the community.
Mindfulness workshops: experienced healthcare professionals support LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees to improve their life skills and deal with past trauma, stress and anxiety.