Merton’s older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) locals are invited to have their say at the council’s next LGBT Forum on Monday 27 July, as well as meet officers from Age Concern and chat to LGBT representatives from the surrounding boroughs of Sutton, Wandsworth and OutWest – an organisation including seven west London boroughs.

Camden Council’s LGBT development co-ordinator Debbie Neil will be discussing the Open Doors project, which supports older LGBT people in central London, at the forum.
The meeting at Vestry Hall, in Cricket Green, London Road, Mitcham, kicks off at 6.30pm. The forum welcomes all LGBT people from the community but this meeting will particularly focus on older people’s concerns and how partnership working with other boroughs can help tackle the problems they face.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for community safety and engagement Councillor Henry Nelless said: “Older LGBT members of the community have a host of different concerns to younger LGBT locals and we are determined to put the needs of all our residents first.

“The aim of this forum will be to better understand these needs and also to find out what other councils and organisations are doing to support their different LGBT communities. We hope in the future to work closely with these London boroughs and with charities in ways which will best help our own residents.”

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Notes:

OutWest is one of the largest LGBT groups in London, currently serving seven out of the thirty two boroughs of London. OutWest are currently represented in the London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames.