Innovation Fund Case Study: LGBTQ+ Consultation

Organisation: Lewisham Unitarians
Location: Lewisham, London
Funding awarded: £1,000
Timeframe: 1 year

What was the idea? 

The project began initially as a response to their minister, Julio Torres, leaving, and the congregation wanting to build community links they could maintain themselves without a minister. LGBTQ membership and issues was already a core part of Lewisham Unitarians’ identity, and seemed like a great place to start. 

One member of the congregation is part of the LGBTQ+ community and works for local foodbank with great connections. They saw that there were a few one-off and irregular events for the queer community, there were not many regular networks and gatherings. 

Their initial thought was reach out to as many groups as possible, find out what it was they were interested in and needed, and get some kind of informal LGBTQ+ meeting going. 

What did they do? 

The initial activities included reaching out to community groups and inviting conversations with people who weren’t part of Lewisham Unity to find out what would be useful and interesting.  

They heard from a lesbian couple with a young child who said that there were no opportunities for meet ups for LGBTQ+ parents – but they didn’t have capacity to organise this. Despite several conversations, no else had any big ideas at this stage. So decided they needed to go to local community leaders and see what’s available. 

They held an initial meeting with 12 registered participants, and 6 attended. They found that people mostly came with their own agenda and activities to promote, they weren’t necessarily there to collaborate, which was what Lewisham Unitarians were hoping for. 

Plans to participate at a local pride event in June 2026 were disrupted by a heatwave. They did however participate at another pride event at Goldsmiths College in August 2026 and did some more networking. 

Their plan now is to continue with more community meetings and consultations every couple of months, as there is still energy behind this and a desire to create space for the local LGBTQ+ community. 

What difference did it make? 

One ripple effect from this activity is that more people know about Lewisham Unitarians as a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals.  

“We have now made a connection with Proud to Be Me, a local CIC dedicated to supporting people in at-risk communities to live up to their potential. Proud to Be Me CIC is the specialist LGBTQ+ delivery partner for the Lewisham LGBTQ+ Infrastructure Support Project 2026–2029, working alongside Lewisham Local as Lead Partner, South East London Pride and LGBTQ+ Foundation. 

“We are going to have a table at their upcoming community event in a few weeks where we will promote our space at the meeting house at special rental rates for LGBTQ+ groups. Proud to Be Me is also going to explore the idea of using Lewisham Unity as a small local hub for regular events.  

“This is exactly the kind of partnership that we were hoping for and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Innovation Fund!” 

Ann Howell, Lewisham Unitarians 

Internally, the activities have also been good for new members who are within Lewisham Unity and LGBT community, and for allies. 

Two members of the congregation went to the trans awareness training organised by the LDPA and reported back on that to the congregation. Lewisham Unitarians know they are generally a welcoming place, but it’s good not to be complacent and they can always do more to help one another be even more welcoming. 

Doing this project reminded them of what they already offer the LGBTQ+ community, including a Trans Day of Remembrance service, connected to trans memorial day. This project has encouraged them to revive this in 2026, and a desire to support other congregations wanting to do the same. During the service they read the names aloud of trans members of the community who have died that year, creating a spiritually connecting experience. 

What did they learn?

What are the key ingredients for a project like this, and what can others do similarly? Consistency of communication is important. They might have had a little more success if they had more capacity to do communications. Maintaining consistent communication patterns is helpful, having meetings at the same time, to create a similar beat and pattern of events. And don’t plan to do much or anything in the summer.  

Don’t be too reliant on just one person; get other people involved and develop a good team to lead the project. 

Reach out to places you might not think. Spread the net a little wider than you might imagine. Connect with at least one or two groups outside your community. They reached out to the NHS, and they have a specific programme for LGBT drug users, which was a new community connection. 

Having core members from the LGBTQ+ community makes the impetus to do this work stronger. Almost half of Lewisham Unity’s members are in the community. It is of course great and helpful to have LGBTQ+ allies, but a project like this can’t be run entirely by allies.  

A project like this doesn’t cost much. Funds primarily covered training, food and materials, and some extra administrator time for events.  

Paying people to do something for you is some of the best money you can spend. 

What’s next? 

The group plans to hold three more events in October, January, and March to try to get their fledgling network off the ground, continuing to focus on LGBTQ+ initiatives.