Romford school takes part in Diversity Week to help improve LGBT+ equality

Head of Personal Development, Maria Jackson from The Bridge

A school in Romford is one of many across the UK taking part in a programme aiming to improve LGBT+ equality.

As part of School Diversity Week, The Bridge will be educating students on issues around diversity and discrimination.

The annual celebration is particularly relevant as a new report, released by LGBT+ support charity, Just Like Us, reveals almost two-thirds of LGBT+ young people have experienced suicidal thoughts.

The report also reveals further details about a growing mental health crisis within the young LGBT+ community with half of LGBT+ students say they have experienced or are experiencing an anxiety disorder.

It’s hoped the school programmes will provide students with knowledge on helping those in this community.

Head of Personal Development, Maria Jackson said: “We felt it was really essential that we took part.

“We feel schools have got a really important part to play in educating our young people about discrimination and what it feels like and how to challenge any that they see or hear around them.

“We really want to promote a whole ethos of acceptance and equality.

“We’re ultra-aware of the importance of talking about it, making sure that it is accepted.

“We do have members that are members of that community and we also have students that don’t know much about that community so I think it’s important that we talk about it.

“The LGBT community is all around us. They should feel a full and equal part of our society- they should be automatically but sadly that’s not always the case.”

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