What Do We Do?

Creating Supportive Environments is a 3-year project funded by The National Lottery which seeks to address the root causes of LGBTQ+phobia and hate crime by addressing the areas that most impact LGBTQ+ young people’s day-to-day lives – their school and home environments. It seeks to challenge the increasing rates of harm experienced by LGBTQ+ youth through a range of programmes targeted at individuals, families and whole school communities. Ultimately, we want to help create supportive environments for LGBTQ+ young people and wider communities to thrive across the region.  

Why Do We Do It? 

Last year, 4,780 transphobic hate crimes were recorded across England and Wales – more than double the amount recorded five years ago. In Cambridgeshire, the number of suspects investigated for reported hate crimes who are still children themselves (aged 10-17 years old), has also dramatically increased since 2019. We want LGBTQ+ young people across the region to feel safe, supported and able to thrive in education, at home, in the workplace and beyond, and the Creating Supportive Environments project seeks to do this by focusing on the following objectives and outcomes.

Objectives: 

1. Educate local communities on LGBTQ+ lives 

Our programmes seek to work with school staff, students and families across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and surrounding areas to enhance understandings of LGBTQ+ lives and foster more inclusive environments.

2. Tackle hate-based behaviours 

The project seeks to address LGBTQ+phobic bullying and hate-based behaviours which may lead to hate crime through new, youth-led approaches

3. Informed by LGBTQ+ young people 

All our programmes and services have been developed in collaboration with LGBTQ+ young people to ensure their voices are heard and needs met

Outcomes: 

1. Improved outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth and broader communities 

We hope to see improvements to LGBTQ+ young people’s wellbeing, school, family and wider lived experiences, as well as improved empathy and understanding of diversity across broader communities

2. Reduced levels of hate-based behaviours and LGBTQ+phobic bullying 

Through our targeted and school-wide approaches, we hope to see reductions in school level reporting of LGBTQ+phobic bullying and county level hate crime towards LGBTQ+ communities

3. Upskilling local communities 

The project provides students, school staff and families with the skills and knowledge to challenge hate-based behaviours and better support LGBTQ+ young people. It also provides space for LGBTQ+ youth to learn new skills through volunteer opportunities with the project.

For more information on the services available within the Schools and Families strands, please click the following links or email us at: create@thekitetrust.org.uk

Meet the team

I’ve spent the last 8 years working with LGBTQ+ youth in the youth charity sector, alongside 6 years in academia leading projects exploring LGBTQ+ inclusive education. From this, I’ve gained knowledge and insights that I apply to my engagements with schools, educators, young people and broader communities to support inclusive attitudes, practices and environments that celebrate diversity. I’m keen on ensuring that young people’s voices are central in shaping any provision that impacts their lives, and platform youth-led approaches throughout this project. Outside of work I love to bake, watch films and go on hiking trips. 

Debi Mordanti (she/her) | Programme Manager (Families) 

Offering a helping hand and sharing skills that will aid you to strengthen the relationship between you and your child, I can break down stigmas, dispel myths and talk to you authentically about your current situation. As a proud parent of a neurodiverse, trans child – I have quite possibly been where you are now, and have years of hands on experience, non-judgementally educating parents and carers about LGBTQ+ identities, neurodivergence and teaching you how to be open to changes in your family dynamic. In my spare time I enjoy travelling in my motor home, going on long scenic walks with my dog and travelling to Norway whenever I get the chance – I love the snow (and this gives me an opportunity to wear one of my several pairs of boots!) 

Aj Myring (he/him) | Schools Worker 

Empowering, supporting and guiding young people is something I have such enthusiasm and dedication for. With years of youth work experience, I can adapt to the differing needs of young people. Whether it be in a classroom, a 1:1 chat or an online call, I will always give holistic, caring and non-judgemental advice, with the aim of ensuring the young people I work with feel genuinely appreciated, listened to and understood by somebody who is authentic and cares for their well-being. When I’m not working – I love to climb and hike mountains with my dog, run, play various racket sports and have cosy evenings playing the PS5!

Katie Ronnay (she/her) | Project Officer  

With 3 years’ experience in the youth charity sector, I am deeply committed to making a positive impact on the lives of young people. I strive to create a compassionate, supportive environment where young people can thrive and access the resources they need. In my free time I enjoy napping with my cat, playing Dungeons & Dragons and volunteering with my local hedgehog rescue 🙂