News

LEAP Launches Get OUT Glasgow Initiatives

8th April 2021

LEAP Launches Get OUT Glasgow Initiatives

Get Back OUT and Active Buddies use sport and physical activity to improve the lives of marginalised LGBTIQ+ people in Greater Glasgow.

Research published by NHS Greater Glasgow in late 2020 highlighted that LGBT+ people are much more likely than others to feel isolated and/or lonely, and are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Moreover, LGBT+ people are more likely to have been subject to migration (particularly rural-urban migration) and/or estrangement from family or have a difficult relationship with family members. This meant there has been less opportunity for those living alone to form social bubbles.

In light of this research, and with funding from Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, LEAP are launching these LGBTIQ+ community wellbeing initiatives. They aim to improve the lives of marginalised LGBTIQ+ people in the Greater Glasgow area who are socially isolated, at risk of poor health outcomes, or uncertain about re-engaging in society and physical activity following Covid-19 restrictions being eased.

Get Back OUTActive Buddies
Get Back OUT is a peer support group focussed on helping LGBTIQ+ people feel comfortable about getting out of the house and offering a sense of community to those who are isolated and/or lonely.Active Buddies is an initiative where we ‘match’ 2 LGBTIQ+ community members to take part in activity together. This initiative creates accountability and offers a way to develop support for those who prefer a 1 to 1 approach, as opposed to the peer support nature of Get Back OUT.

What you can expect:
  • Access to Get Back OUT Facebook group
  • Peer-support and 1:1 meetings
  • Group drop-in socials
  • Confidence and skill-building workshops
  • Sport and physical activity such as taster sessions
  • Regular, organised sessions with LGBTIQ+ physical wellbeing groups

What you can expect:
  • Buddy matching
  • Buddy catch-ups & 1:1 meetings
  • Regular newsletters with resources and activity updates
  • Confidence and skill-building workshops
  • Sport and physical activity such as taster sessions
  • Regular, organised sessions with LGBTIQ+ physical wellbeing groups

Who can join?

  • Must identify as LGBTIQ+ or questioning
  • Must be aged 18+
  • Must stay in Greater Glasgow. This includes the following councils: Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Dunbartonshire, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, and Inverclyde.

If you’re interested in getting involved with Get Back OUT, request to join the Facebook group here. If you don’t have Facebook, please email carolina@leapsports.org. If you would like to join Active Buddies, please complete this survey and the project organiser will contact you to set up a meeting.

Visit the Get OUT Glasgow activities page for up-to-date information on the project. You can also download the project flyer here.

Written on 8th April 2021.