Totnes-based LGBTQ+ social enterprise, Proud2Be, visited Newton Abbot College on 1 November to deliver an interactive workshop to a group of students training to be ambassadors for the College’s new Gender and Sexual Alliance (GSA) group.

Max and Maya Price, Co-Founders and Directors of Proud2Be, delivered the session, covering issues such as inclusive terminology; demystifying common misconceptions; creating a safe, inclusive College environment; counselling skills and role play scenarios. The aim of the workshop was to equip the new student ambassadors with the skills and knowledge needed to set up a student-led support group for the College LGBTQ+ community.

The new GSA group will be looking to set up a whole range of services, allowing students access to any support they might need. Proposed initiatives include drop-in sessions; email support and training for future student ambassadors, all with a view to promoting ‘acceptance without exception’.

Year 9 GSA Ambassador, Faith Huggins, said: “The workshop was really helpful. This will allow us to create a number of ways for people to be able to talk about how they are. We are positively promoting respect for all those in the LGBTQ+ community, how to deal with any negative behaviour and rolling out training and awareness to the whole College as a result.”