Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Youth Scotland Volunteers, now known as FUSION, was a 2004 Philip Lawrence Award winner. FUSION offers support to young people through events, the website, telephone hotline and free courses covering issues such as relationships, sexual health and identity. FUSION has a support network around the country and strong links with the police, education and local authorities, health services, Government and other policy makers.

“The Parliament congratulates the youth volunteer group at LGBT Youth Scotland. Their significant work in tackling homophobia and bullying continues to make a crucial difference to the lives of young people in Scotland.”
The Deputy Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament

How the PLA has helped
Winning a PLA has really helped us. The award money helped fund a charity theatre performance directed by one of our volunteers, Janet Direen.

The proceeds of the performance went to ‘V-Day’, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. With the funds we were also able to produce a report on the extent of homophobic bullying in Scottish schools based on survey of information gathered from young people around Scotland.

The survey, created by volunteer Sophie Johnson, found that almost three quarters of the young people questioned had experienced homophobic bullying. The report and survey can be downloaded from the library section of the LGBT Youth Scotland website at www.lgbtyouth.org.uk

"I found it inspiring to be part of a movement that is so much bigger and more important than my usual day to day stuff. I know that if I put my mind to something, I can inspire this enthusiasm and passion in others, and complete a project which has helped many different women and men in different ways."
Janet Direen, FUSION volunteer

Current FUSION projects include taking part in ‘CSV’s Make A Difference Day’ which encourages people to volunteer, a Variety Show being held in Edinburgh as part of a Heritage project, and LGBT History Month in February where we will have singers, actors, comedians and artists telling the story of LGBT people past, present and future, all in all a fantastically fun evening.