Parent and Carer Group

SAYiT has an active Parents and Carers Group that meets on a monthly basis in Sheffield city centre. It is suitable for any parent and/or carer of an LGBTQ+ young person to attend, even if their young person does not attend any of the SAYiT youth groups themselves.

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The meetings are held in the early evening, with refreshments at 5.45pm followed by the meeting from 6.00pm – 7.30pm.  Although informal, the sessions are run with a group agreement and are facilitated by a SAYiT staff member and volunteer.  Each session has a discussion topic for the group to focus on and share their own experiences.

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Upcoming group dates 2024 click here

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Examples of topics covered:​​

• LGBTQ+ History

• Updates on current climate

• Top tips for looking after your child, as suggested by LGBTQ+ young people

• Q and A session with older LGBTQ+ people

• Representatives of Porter Brook Sheffield and Tavistock Leeds have attended, presented and answered questions and given invaluable information

• Consultation evening on the Government’s proposed Sex and Relationships Education curriculum for schools

• What does SAYiT do? – and not do!

• What actually happens at the group work sessions with the young people?

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We also welcome your input and feedback for topics to be covered at future meetings.

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The attendance at the group currently varies between 6 – 14 people, some describing themselves as birth parents, foster carers, aunts, uncles, siblings, grandparents and step-parents.

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Most of the people who come to the meetings have never met another parent or carer of an LGBTQ+ young person before and often feel alone in their experience. At the SAYiT group, parents and carers can listen or talk in a safe space, perhaps for the first time, with other parents and carers.

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If you are the parent or carer of a young person who you think would benefit from attending one of our groups, please do not hesitate to get in touch to find out more.