A newly-published report focuses on the needs of Lambeth's LGBTQI+ communities and how these needs can be addressed.
Date: 21 October 2021
A research team at London Met’s Global Diversities and Inequalities Research Centre has delivered a new report focused on the needs of Lambeth’s large LGBTQIA+ communities.
Launched last night with a new exhibition, the report explores these needs especially within the current challenges posed by Coronavirus and the associated restrictions; and aims to develop new understandings of the experiences and needs of Black, Asian and people from other minoritised communities, who have been under-represented in previous studies.
It also offers solutions and recommendations on how the needs of these communities can be addressed within the current financial constraints across the borough and beyond.
The research project, LamQ+: Understanding Lambeth’s LGBTQI+ communities in times of Coronavirus: a mixed-methods study, consisted of three research approaches: survey, ‘Photovoice’ workshops, and focus group.
‘Photovoice’ is an empowering Participatory Action Research approach and these workshops, facilitated by Donna Jones and professional photographer, Em Fitzgerald, co-researchers explored issues important to them producing original knowledge through their photographs and narratives.
The project and report were co-designed with a number of research partners; the London Borough of Lambeth, Black Thrive, Black Out, Lambeth Links and Opening Doors London.
Among their recommendations for improving service provision and resources for LGBTQI+ communities in Lambeth were:
- Lambeth Council to be an advocate for the maintenance and promotion of physical LGBTQI+ spaces.
- A telephone-based communications with members of the LGBTQI+ community who are in need.
- Lambeth Council to raise visibility of its services for LGBTQI+ residents.
- Lambeth Council and partners to create safe spaces and activities designed for older members of LGBTQI+ communities
- To address the particular needs of older LGBTQI+ people, especially in terms of residential care.
Professor Louise Ryan, who lead the research team said, “this project is a great example of effective partnership working between Lambeth council, local community organisations, co-researchers and a team of academics and practitioners”
Donna Jones, Head of Social Work said, “working with the co-researchers on Photovoice has been one of the most rewarding of my academic career to date.”
Dr Karyofyllis (Lakis) Zervoulis, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology, said the project was “facilitating the communication between local authority and LGBTQI residents to bring about tangible improvements.”
The research project was funded by London Metropolitan University's Transformation Fund.
