LGBT Helpline Makes Call For New Volunteers

A national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) helpline has made an appeal for female and elderly volunteers to work on their lines.

Trained volunteers man the confidential service which is currently active 16-a-week but due to high demand and the limited number of volunteers, it is unable to answer every call.

Dave Roche, committee member of the helpline, has highlighted a need for more female volunteers and for older members of the community to ensure an adequate mix within the service.

“At present we have five times more men volunteering than women. We’re not saying we don’t want any more male volunteers – indeed, we welcome new volunteers from across the LGBT community. Only 13 per cent of callers to our helpline last year described themselves as female. If we succeed in recruiting more volunteers, one of our aims is to open our service at times that may suit female callers and volunteers better, as many women have limited availability due to parenting and caring responsibilities.”

Mr Roche also called for older members of the LGBT community to get involved. “There’s a perception that it’s more socially acceptable to be openly LGBT when you’re young, but that you will be viewed in a negative light if you are open about your sexuality later in life. We have heard devastating stories of older LGBT people who have had to go back into the closet, so to speak.”