Views wanted from local young LGBTQ+ people on new Safe Space Art Club at Lyth Arts Centre

Lyth Arts Centre (LAC) have successfully secured funding to run an LGBTQ+ Safe Space Art Club for young people in the county.

The art club would provide a space for LGBTQ+ young people in the area to come together in a creative environment. It will be led by a professional artist/creative practitioner who will work with the young people to develop their creative skills and engage them in creative projects in a sociable and relaxed setting.

The project is funded by Caithness Cares mental health and wellbeing funding, managed by Caithness Voluntary Group.

LAC director Charlotte Mountford explained: "Through conversation with several youth groups that LAC works with, our participants often reference that there is a lack of safe spaces for young LGBTQ+ folk in Caithness.

"The LGBTQ+ Safe Space Club will provide a weekly drop-in session for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-24 years to engage in arts-based well-being activities in a supportive and safe environment."

LAC are currently in a period of consultation with young people in Caithness about what they would like from the safe space art club. There is online form young people can complete using this link shorturl.at/sKORU

The form can also be found on the Lyth Arts Centre Facebook page.

Many artists have found inspiration for their work in the safe spaces provided by LGBTQ+ venues.

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