ePetition details

Islington Council is currently considering closing two publicly funded locations which are used by a number of MIND Mental Health groups including OUTCOME – one of London’s only remaining LGBTQ+ focused service providing support for people based in Islington and throughout London.

This petition is to let Islington Council know that we do not want them to close the unique location at Ashley Road. Ashley Road, which is located in a residential area, provides LGBTQ+ service users and LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers, a safe space where they feel comfortable to get the support they need in a non-clinical environment. If Ashley Road were to close this would be another massive blow to the LGBTQ+ community after the closure of PACE in 2017, and would dramatically reduce the space for LGBTQ+ Mental Health advocacy.

As part of the consultation process, the council appointed committee asked service users why Ashley Road was vital as part of their mental health recovery. Service users raised the fact that coming to Ashley Road provides a suitable therapeutic environment because it isn’t clinical. This is crucial to their successful recovery as it provides LGBTQ+ service users a safe, warm and welcoming environment to visit. Service users expressed that if it weren’t for a place like Ashley Road they would be less likely to seek help for their mental health issues.

We understand that Islington Council needs to make this decision based on cost saving measures. With that in mind, Ashley Road is the least expensive location to operate of the four under consideration for closure. The space provides a number of different activity rooms, social spaces, a garden and kitchen for the services users to use. We are aware that the activities could be run in other locations, but we risk losing the established community of service users and hindering their recovery.

Please sign our petition to support London’s only LGBTQ+ location providing crucial Mental Health services for the London LGBTQ+ community. Our initial goal is to get at least 1,000 signatures by Tuesday, July 24th so we can request a meeting with the Leader of the Council and plead our case.

Mental Heath is a growing problem in the UK and is substantially more pronounced in the LGBTQ+ community. Your signature will support our cause.

You never know when you might need support.

This ePetition ran from 03/07/2018 to 24/07/2018 and has now finished.

21 people signed this ePetition.