Fundraising for LGBTQ+ youth

This Pride month, Close Brothers employees are raising money for akt (formerly the Albert Kennedy Trust).

akt supports LGBTQ+ young people in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness or are living in a hostile environment. 
 
The pandemic and associated lockdowns has had a significant impact on LGBTQ+ youth, and akt saw a 118% increase in referrals to their services during the first lock down.  Many LGBTQ+ youth had no other option but rough sleeping or staying at home in a hostile environment or abusive family environments.
 
Prior to the pandemic, 24% of homeless young people identified as LGBTQ+ and it's feared that this number has increased dramatically as a result of the lock downs and being trapped in a hostile home environment.

Find out more about akt and the work they do and how you can donate.