Since the COVID-19 crisis emerged we’ve been working to continue our capacity building support for LGBTI groups around Scotland.
If you would like more detailed information on what support is available you can join our facebook group for LGBTI groups. Its also a place to share good practice and network with other groups across Scotland. If you run an LGBTI group in Scotland please consider joining, the group can be found here.
We held the first of our new LGBTI Groups Virtual Roundtable’s on Thursday 25th June at 6.30pm. It’s was opportunity for LGBTI groups, inc. pride organisers, staff networks, social and support groups, organisations and sports clubs, to come together to discuss the challenges faced during this crisis and to agree collective steps we can take to support our communities. We were pleased to be joined by Christina McKelvie MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Older People and Equalities who shared what the government is doing to support LGBTI people during COVID-19 and to listen to the views of LGBTI groups.
We’re holding two events, one on the 4th March and one on the 10th March to discuss the resources needs of LGBTI groups. You can find out more information here.
With the support of the Scottish Government COVID Recovery Fund and the Consortium LGBT+ Futures: National Emergencies Trust Fund we have now been able to recruit a Community Development Officer which will increase our capacity to support LGBTI groups and organisations during the pandemic. A huge welcome to Eleanor Sanders White who has taken on this role.
Funding
We’re pleased to announce the LGBTI Recovery Fund, £26,000 to support LGBTI groups during their recovery from COVID-19. Small grants of between £50-£500 are available to LGBTI groups and organisations in Scotland until the end of May 2021. More information on the fund can be found here.
We have been working to support LGBTI groups and organisations in Scotland and have already distributed over £140k of direct funding through two funding streams:
Both these funding streams have now closed for applications. We’re pleased to say over £50k in direct funding has now been distributed to LGBTI groups in Scotland through the Supporting LGBTI Communities Fund, and £64,000 went directly to LGBTI groups in Scotland from the LGBTQ+ COVID-19 Fund.
Zoom Pro
To help reduce social isolation we secured funding from the Scottish Government Covid-19 Relief Fund to provide free Zoom Pro accounts, for an initial period of 4 months, along with training, to a number of LGBTI groups. If your group/sports club/organisation would like a free zoom account please get in touch. This support ended at the end May of 2021, we’re glad so many groups were able to make the most of the benefit.
So far over 80 LGBTI groups and organisations have had access to a zoom pro account. We also continue to hold zoom or phone conversations to assess the individual needs of LGBTI groups and how we can support. Over 100 LGBTI groups have had support from us during the pandemic and we’ve supported 26 applications for funding, delivered one-2-one training for 38 groups and continue to support pride organisers around the country with contingency planning.
Training for LGBTI Groups
We have run a number of training events, including.
Please visit our Outsavvy page to register or find out more about future events.
If your organisation or group has specific training or capacity needs you would like to discuss, please get in touch.
30 Bernard Street
Edinburgh EH6 6PR
+44 (0) 131 467 6039
en@equality-network.org
Equality Network is a national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) equality and human rights charity.
The Equality Network is a registered Scottish charity: SC037852, and a company limited by guarantee: SC220213.
We are grateful for funding from the Scottish Government
