Out Together: Meet the Yorkshire charity championing digital spaces for older queer people
Out Together is a Yorkshire-based LGBTQIA+ charity, dedicated to championing social inclusion for all.
Founded in 2020, the organisation’s latest mission has been to secure funding for support hubs and services for older queer people in their area, who may struggle with technology.
Thomas Porteus, the charity’s Chair, said: “Digital confidence has become essential for accessing healthcare and managing your wellbeing, yet too many older LGBTQIA+ people are still excluded.
“I am proud that Out Together is helping people take control of their digital lives and feel more connected to the support they deserve.”
These hubs provide a safe space for people to learn about technology and ask for tailored support for their individual issues. Skills that have been taught in the hubs include email literacy, online banking, accessing NHS online services and valuable online skills such as video calling. They are also a much-needed, queer-friendly space for people to meet and build social connections.
Robert Salt, 76, has been a participant for 18 months. He said: “Attending Digital Inclusion sessions has taught me a lot of skills I didn’t have before regarding smartphones and tablets. It’s a very social, safe and relaxed environment.
“The most important thing I have gained was the confidence to use my smartphone; I now understand specific settings on my phone that have given me more use from it.”
Phillip Bray, 66, has been attending the sessions for more than two years.
“I attend these sessions as it provides me with an opportunity to meet new people, not only has it given me a reason to leave the house, but it has also given me more confidence to use my smartphone,” he said.
“There have been many benefits but I have learned how to use video calling and use translator apps to speak with different friends who speak different languages.”
Out Together is hoping to help hundreds of older LGBTQIA+ people through this funding.
Hubs will continue to open in Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Hebden Bridge, Harrogate and York.
Out Together partnered with Patient.info to secure the joint funding through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.