We’re pleased to welcome Helen, LEVEL’s new Community Engagement Worker for Calderdale and Kirklees. Helen will work with local communities and professionals to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ domestic abuse and help improve access to specialist support. Here, Helen shares how you can get involved.
Hi, I’m Helen the new Community Engagement worker for Level in Calderdale and Kirklees. I want to connect with community groups, professionals and people who come into contact with people who may be LGBTQ+ and who may be experiencing domestic abuse.
I recognise that the intersection of LGBTQ+ and Domestic Abuse creates barriers to reporting and finding solutions so I am offering a really useful tailor-made quick (and FREE) training session called the LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse 1st Aid Kit for anyone who comes into contact with the LGBTQ+ community and survivors of domestic abuse.
I live in Hebden bridge with my wife and attention seeking cat and I have been part of Happy Valley Pride in Calderdale for over 10 years. In addition to that I have worked for domestic abuse organisations across Bradford, Calderdale and East Lancashire for many years, so have the background and personal experiences needed to do this new job.
I have worked closely with by-and-for services in the past and believe that the LGBTQ+ community deserves a specialist service for domestic abuse and I hope to be able to prove that I’m right by engaging people across Calderdale and Kirklees and making a difference to the lives of people in our community for whom domestic abuse is a daily reality.
Get in contact with me at info@levelchange.org.uk mark your email FAO Helen and I’ll see what I can do.
