22nd September 2011

DORCHESTER: Stars - Support to all

A new project has been launched in Dorchester, set up by fifteen year old local boy Dan Spracklen. Stars - Support To All, Respect as Standard - is a support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youngsters.

Building on his own experiences of homophobic bullying Dan has established this group to help those in a similar situation find the support they need.

Having conducted a survey amongst young people in the town, Dan identified a need for Stars and gained the backing of local PCSO Kathy Holmes and the Intercom Trust. Invaluable help has also come from the Space Youth Project and their manager Helen.

Dan has been able to draw on their vast experience, ensuring various safeguarding practices have been put in place and sourcing leaflets to advertise this new and much needed initiative. Space recently received funding from Dorset County Council some of which has been invested in Stars. It is also hoped that match funding will be forthcoming from Children in Need.

Determined to make this support group work, Dan has used his own money to produce posters. A website has been set up courtesy of a member of the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre where the group holds its meetings, and can be found at www.starsdorchester.com. These meetings are informal, in a safe and secure environment, where you can relax, chat and have fun. But help and support will be on hand if and when it is needed.

The first session, aided and abetted with pizza and copious amounts of chocolate, was spent putting people at their ease. Why are you here, what would you like to get out of these sessions, how do you see them progressing, and what are your expectations for the future were questions put to the young people by Dan and his helpers.

To enable any enterprise such as this to move forward, more help will be needed. Adult volunteers are being sought, and the position of a paid worker to support Stars will be advertised.

Helen said: “This is all about supporting one another, seeking professional help if necessary, but above all making new friends and sharing hopes and aspirations. Each person who comes along will have their own story to tell, their own particular problems, and their own solutions. We can build on one another’s experiences, be there for one another, but also have a great deal of fun.”

Stars meets every Thursday night between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre in King’s Road. More information can be obtained by emailing [email protected], [email protected] or by calling or texting 07973 405280.

PICTURE: Dan Spracklen (centre) with friends and helpers Callum Simpson and Hannah Ward

DORCHESTER: Stars - Support to all

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