Carers sought for Brighton gay youth

The Albert Kennedy Trust is recruiting gay and lesbian foster
carers and people willing to offer supported lodgings for lesbian,
gay and bisexual youth in Brighton who are homeless or have run
away.

The trust, which already provides similar services in Manchester
and London, is starting operating in the city this month as part of
a wider expansion programme.

Thanks to a £200,000 grant from the Diana, Princess of Wales
Memorial Fund, it will also begin recruiting carers in Northern
Ireland and Wales by the end of the year and in Scotland next year.

As well as matching homeless gay and lesbian people up to the age
of 21 with gay and lesbian carers, the trust said its Brighton
operation will also provide housing advice, information and
advocacy, mentoring and tenancy support.

Carole Thomson, director of the Albert Kennedy Trust, said while
Brighton was one of the most attractive cities for gay and lesbian
young people to run away to, its housing and homeless services
could not match the level of need.