About us
Outreach youth is a youth work charity by and for young Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*, Queer and Questioning people aged under 25 in Suffolk, UK.
However, we are not just a charity providing LGBT*Q+ youth services – we’re an LGBT*Q+ youth work movement mobilised to support, educate, promote and defend young people’s mental health, rights and social position.
Outreach youth is free, confidential and self-referral – we give young people a choice and a voice.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Values
Positive Relationships
We establish trust by building respectful and empowering relationships with LGBT*Q+ children, young people, and their families.
Integrity
We do what is right for LGBT*Q+ children and young people. We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards.
Passion
We are committed to providing inclusive, high-quality youth work opportunities for LGBT*Q+ children and young people to enable them to build brighter futures.
Empowerment
We are a youth-led charity committed to ensuring that all our work is coproduced with LGBT*Q+ children and young people, enabling them to thrive and flourish.
Our Trustees
Our Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in advancing our mission at Outreach youth. Their unwavering dedication and diverse expertise ensure we remain focused on and continually strive for better and a more inclusive world for young LGBT*Q+ people.
We are proud to introduce our Board members, who come from a variety of professional backgrounds but share a common passion for supporting and empowering LGBTQ+ children, young people and their families across Suffolk.
Learn more about the individuals whose commitment and guidance are integral to our charity.
Read our reviews on the Charity Commission website here
Pauline Henry
Chair of Trustees
Read more about Pauline
Pauline brings over 40 years of experience in youth services to her role as Chair of Outreach youth. Her extensive background includes Detached Youth Work in South London and managing community-based youth projects in London and Suffolk. Pauline was key in leading and fostering meaningful youth involvement in Suffolk Youth & Connexions service and Co-Production in commissioning within Suffolk County Council.
She is passionate about partnering with young people to recognize and celebrate their skills and talents.
Reflecting on her involvement, Pauline shares, “I have been involved with Outreach youth for the past 8 years and have been chair of Trustees since early 2018. I love this charity and am constantly learning from the young people about their lives, their aspirations and their challenges.”
Looking forward, Pauline emphasizes her commitment: “As Chair of Trustees I want to be part of a team that grows the charity in order that we can support more young LGBT*Q+ youth work.”
Heidi Dix
Safeguarding Trustee
Read more about Heidi
Heidi, our Safeguarding Trustee, has been a social worker since 1997 with experience in both adult and children’s services. Currently, she splits her time between working with the Suffolk Youth Offending Service and in Social Work academia.
Heidi is deeply committed to social justice, focusing on single-gender work, relationship-based practices in social work, and innovative methods to engage young people within the youth justice system.
She proudly serves as a trustee for Outreach youth, bringing her passion and expertise to our cause.
Mark Sherman
Treasurer
Read more about Mark
Mark, our Treasurer, brings a wealth of expertise from his senior management career in the automotive industry. Since taking early retirement in 2016, Mark has focused on supporting Outreach youth with his skills in marketing, and finance.
Currently, Mark is involved in his own technology start-up and participates in various local learning and business projects.
Beyond his professional endeavours, he enjoys traveling, walking, and reading. Mark’s diverse background and enthusiasm are invaluable to our mission at Outreach youth.
Ronan Palmer
Trustee
Read more about Ronan
Ronan Palmer, has a BA Degree in Psychology and Youth Studies and is passionate about pursuing a career in teaching.
Reflecting on his journey, Ronan shares,
“Being a Trustee at Outreach youth is of major importance to me, due to my previous use of the charity as a young LGBT+ person. I have experienced the benefits of this charity first-hand, with it enabling me to improve my public speaking and general social skills. Furthermore, I want to use my position to give young people the chance to create their own discourse within both the public and professional space, allowing them to develop a greater sense of agency.”
Our Team
Andy Fell
CEO
Read more about Andy
Leading our charity with vision and dedication is Andy, an experienced Youth & Community Manager and founder of Outreach youth. With a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Work, with professional JNC-qualified Youth and Community Worker status, along with a BA (Hons) and MA in Photography, Andy brings a rich blend of management and youth work expertise and creativity.
Andy’s impressive career spans over 40 years, working with children, young people, and their families across numerous voluntary and statutory community-based organisations.
Their extensive experience and passion for youth & community work and development drive our mission forward, inspiring positive change and fostering a supportive environment for the LGBT*Q+ community.
Isiah
Senior Youth Worker
Read more about Isiah
Isiah, our Senior Youth Worker, brings a unique perspective and valuable experience to Outreach youth. Having participated in our project as a young person and led our SOUL project with passion and insight.
Isiah leads our youth work team, holding a Youth Work Diploma and extensive experience in community-based youth work settings; Isiah also has a BA (Hons) in Photography.
Their journey from participant to youth worker exemplifies the transformative power of our youth work and our commitment to empowering the next generation of LGBT*Q+ children and young people
Sarah
Youth Worker
Read more about Sarah
Sarah, a committed Youth Worker, brings a personal connection and creative expertise to Outreach youth.
Having experienced the charity firsthand as a young person, Sarah now contributes as a dedicated team member.
Equipped with a Youth Work qualification and a BA in Illustration and Graphic Design, Sarah brings a creative insight into the team.
Eric
Youth Worker
Read more about Eric
Eric, Youth Worker, brings firsthand experience and fresh enthusiasm to Outreach youth.
Having been a participant in our Ipswich youth groups, Eric has recently earned a Youth Work qualification.
They are actively involved in developing and co-facilitating our ‘Working with Gender Diverse Children and Young People’ training. Eric works closely with other team members to enhance their experience and knowledge, embodying the growth and commitment central to our mission.
Kara
Youth Worker
Read more about Kara
Kara, Youth Worker, offers both personal insight and a fresh perspective.
Having once participated in our project as a young person, Kara has recently earned a Youth Work qualification. They are also actively involved in advancing our digital youth work initiatives, working closely with the team to expand their skills and knowledge.
Kara’s contributions reflect their commitment to enhancing our online youth work offer.
Outreach youth Story
In 2006 a small group of young gay men supported by youth workers, established Outreach youth, as the young men identified that there was no Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans* Queer and Questioning (LGBT*Q+) specific support or Youth Groups available to them in Suffolk.
Click here to read more of our story ...
2007 – One to one support available for young LGBT*Q+ people.
2008 – young people worked with a designer to produce the Outreach youth logo and website.
2009 – Sir Ian McKellen – visit’s Outreach youth.
2010 – we held our first very small ‘Pride Picnic” in Ipswich.
2011 – we made a short film ‘Sticks & Stones’, that played at film festivals around the world.
2012 – we held our very own LGBT*Q+ Olympics
2014 – Outreach youth becomes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission.
2015 – Our First Annual Christmas Dinner.
2016 – Our 10th birthday and young people are involved in a Rainbow Conference.
2017 – Trans* Families project established – supporting parent & caregivers with Trans* children.
2018 – Outreach youth is named Youth Club of the Year by Community Action Suffolk, and we ran our first young person led ‘Introduction to Trans* and Gender Diverse Young People’ training.
2019 – BBC Children in Need funding enabled us to further develop our support with young LGBT*Q+ people.
2020 – we held an amazing LGBT*Q+ History month event at Ipswich Art Gallery – covered live by BBC Look East.
During the COVID 19 pandemic we were able to support young LGBT*Q+ people through ‘new’ Outreach youth Digital Youth Work provision.
2021 – SOUL established for young people of colour in Suffolk’s LGBT*Q+ community
2022 – BBC Children in Need support our work again across Suffolk – on a hub and spoke model.
2023 – The first Outreach youth ‘Queer Prom’ was held – an evening of joy and celebration.
2024 – The National Lottery Community Fund grants us funding for part of our work for 5-years.
Our
Projects
We run lots of varied projects throught the year, find out more about them here
What young people
say...
Donate & Support us
As a small fundraising-reliant Suffolk charity, we use our limited funds carefully and welcome any offers of support
With thanks to our supporters:
