More than a month: How WithYou in Cornwall champions the LGBTQ+ community all-year round

Every June, communities around the world come together to celebrate Pride Month. This is a time to honour the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience, visibility, and ongoing fight for equality.

At WithYou in Cornwall, Pride Month is also a time to reflect on the unique challenges that the LGBTQ+ community faces as part of their recovery journey.

Amy, a Recovery Worker at WithYou, is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. For her, Pride Month has always been deeply personal.

“My first experience of Pride was about ten years ago, and it’s always been about celebrating our community,” explains Amy. “It’s about showcasing that we exist, we’re here, and we’re part of your community. That has really hit home since living in Cornwall.”

Pride has always been more than a celebration. With continued hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community, it stands as a powerful reminder of visibility, belonging, and resilience. For Amy, Pride is about saying, "This is who we are. We live alongside you."

Amy finds joy in seeing the diversity of smaller local Pride events across Cornwall. From the youthful energy of ‘Trans Pride’ in Falmouth to the community-focused events in Penzance.

You never get tired of seeing everyone together, and each Pride event has its own unique atmosphere.

Some of Amy’s most meaningful Pride moments have come from supporting others.

“Going to a march with someone attending their first Pride is always special. Last year, some of my friends and I met a few younger people who didn’t have anyone to go with, so we invited them to join our group. That sense of bringing people in, making them feel included, is what Pride is all about.”

At WithYou in Cornwall, support for the LGBTQ+ community goes beyond Pride Month. Amy helps run ‘Queer Recovery’, an online support group specifically for LGBTQ+ clients that takes place every Monday.

“We deliver the same support to everyone, but we also recognise the unique challenges queer people face. ‘Queer Recovery’ is a safe space where people can talk openly and honestly, without fear or judgement.”

“One client recovering from gender-affirming surgery was able to join ‘Queer Recovery’ online while on bed rest. For the first time, he had that surgery celebrated by others, while another client found comfort knowing there were others in the group who understood their experience.”

Our Cornwall service is also expanding its support for the community, including separate LGBTQ+ and chemsex training, and consulting with local trans groups to ensure this training is led by and for the community.

It’s important that our training reflects real experiences. Our goal is for all workers to feel confident supporting queer clients.

“It is vital to listen to people from the community,” continues Amy. “Be verbal about your support: consider putting your pronouns in your email signature, and don’t be afraid to talk about LGBTQ+ issues. It’s better to try and make a mistake than to keep quiet.”

Amy also emphasises the importance of ongoing conversations, checking in on friends and colleagues, and being aware of the disproportionate risks LGBTQ+ people face when it comes to asking for help for challenges with drugs and alcohol.

“We can fall short by not asking how someone’s sexuality or gender intersects with their drug or alcohol use,” says Amy. “For many, experiences of bullying, shame, or isolation are key factors. Sometimes, people use substances to feel more comfortable in their bodies. If we don’t ask about these things, we might miss what’s really going on.”

For individuals in Cornwall who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, Amy recommends reaching out to local organisations such as ‘Truro Queers’, ‘Falmouth Trans Collective, and ‘Transparent Presence’ in St Austell. She also recommends Facebook users living in West Cornwall join the ‘Active Out West’ group for additional support.

At WithYou, support for the LGBTQ+ community isn’t about just one month. It's a continual commitment to visibility, support, and celebration. As Amy puts it,