Image source: BBC
Funding and Project Overview
Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey has directed £12,384 from his Protect & Support Fund to support Hart Gables' Thrive Beyond Hate project. Hart Gables is an organisation serving the LGBTQ+ community across Teesside and East Durham.
The project provides emotional and practical support to LGBTQ+ people whose wellbeing has been affected by hate crime and hostility. Beyond emotional support, Hart Gables also assists victims in recording incidents, even where they do not meet the threshold of a hate crime. The information is then shared anonymously with partner organisations including the PCC to build a clearer picture of anti-LGBTQ+ hate across the region.
Project Impact and Case Study
The project has supported more than 20 people who may not otherwise have felt able to report hate or hostility to police or access mainstream services. One case involves a young transgender woman who was attacked and verbally abused while walking home from work in Middlesbrough. Initially reluctant to report the incident because she feared being viewed as "overreacting" or "too sensitive," she is now rebuilding her confidence with project support.
Over the past year, Hart Gables worked with more than 500 people and supported 43 individuals who experienced hate or hostility linked to their LGBTQ+ identity. The organisation expects demand to increase, particularly among transgender and non-binary people, given rising negative media attention directed at the trans community in recent years and a growing number of people sharing their experiences.
Monthly Peer Support and Community Connection
The project delivers monthly peer support sessions, providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to share their experiences and connect with others who have faced similar challenges.
Statements from Commissioner and Organisation
Following a visit to Hart Gables, Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey highlighted the importance of trusted community organisations in helping hate crime victims recover. He stated: "Having visited Hart Gables, I can see how important it is to have a project like Thrive Beyond Hate. Projects delivered by familiar, trusted organisations like Hart Gables allow people who have experienced hate crime to open up about their experiences and recover."
Andrew Towers, LGBTQ+ Development Worker at Hart Gables, stated: "At a time when hostility towards minority groups is increasing and the UK is falling in the ILGA rankings for LGBTQ+ safety, this project is more important than ever. Thrive Beyond Hate has already supported more than 20 people who may not otherwise have felt able to report hate or hostility to the police or access mainstream services. It means a great deal to know that the PCC is committed to the safety and wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community."
European Editorial Office: John