Mental health service for LGBTQ youngsters boosted by £120k grant to Greenwich charity
Greenwich-based METRO has received nearly £120,000 from the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust, to boost its London-wide mental health programme for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) young people.
Established in 1984, METRO runs community and youth services and is one of London’s few specialist providers of emotional and mental health support to the LGBTQ community. It promotes health, wellbeing, equality and participation through one-to-one counselling, group therapy and assessment, and referral services.
The charity faces increased demand for mental health services and its Youth Chances research found that 44 per cent of LGBTQ young people have contemplated suicide, while 52 per cent have self-harmed and 42 per cent sought treatment for anxiety or depression.
Dr Greg Ussher, METRO Chief Executive said:
“METRO is delighted to receive this funding from the City Bridge Trust. The findings from our Youth Chances research and the demand on our existing mental health programme show just how vital this funding is to enable us to support so many more Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) young people across London. This investment from the City Bridge Trust gives LGBTQ young people direct access to the essential services when they need them and will save lives.”
Jeremy Mayhew, Chairman of City Bridge Trust, said:
“Negative attitudes towards these young people make them more likely to experience higher levels of mental health distress than their heterosexual peers. Understanding their needs and providing accessible services during a difficult time in their lives, is vitally important. At City Bridge Trust, we are committed to supporting Metro Centre in breaking down barriers, removing stigma and improving mental health.”
City Bridge Trust is the grant-making arm of Bridge House Estates, whose sole trustee is the City of London Corporation. It addresses disadvantage by supporting London charities, providing grants totalling around £15 million annually.
Notes to editors:
Media enquiries:
Julie Zhu, Media Officer, City of London Corporation
T 020 7332 3451
E julie.zhu@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Mark Delacour, Interim Head of Communications, METRO
T 07801 708468
About the City of London CorporationThe City of London Corporation has three roles: we support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration and skills projects. The Corporation supports education - with three independent schools and three City Academies – plus a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama. We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London. And – with its heart in London’s Square Mile - we also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for much more on our uniquely diverse role, including the City of London Police, etc.
The City of London Corporation’s charity, the City Bridge Trust, makes grants totalling around £15 million annually to charitable projects across London. More information can be found at www.citybridgetrust.org.uk.
About METRO
METRO is a leading equality and diversity charity, providing health, community and youth services across London and the South East, with national international projects. METRO works with anyone experiencing issues related to gender, sexuality, diversity or identity and has five areas of work: METRO Sexual & Reproductive Health, METRO Community, METRO Mental Health & Wellbeing, METRO Youth and METRO HIV.www.metrocentreonline.org