Switchboard.LGBT Training Workshop - Religious Homophobia

Foundation delivers training workshop to LGBTQI helpline

Switchboard, one of the most widely known LGBT+ helplines recently approached Naz and Matt Foundation to provide a custom training workshop for their helpline volunteers.

Delivered during Switchboard’s AGM, the two-hour workshop covered both ‘Cultural and Religious Homophobia’ and ‘Honour based abuse’. Delegates were taken on a journey that explored the differences and impact both may have on LGBTQI+ individuals born into strict, conservative families.

The training was produced using a combination of real world evidence submitted to Naz and Matt Foundation, video interviews, hate-based media, statistics and a powerful talk custom written for the workshop.

We would like to thank Switchboard for inviting us to deliver their training and their commitment to helping their callers who might be experiencing any of these issues.

Matt delivered training to 60 listening volunteers from Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline. Listening to Matt share his own experiences was deeply moving but also hugely inspirational.

Every single member of the audience is now better able to support callers to our service who are suffering abuse due to the religious and cultural beliefs of those around them.

Matt’s calm, factual approach is massively impactful but is always delivered with a sense of positivity, which results in a totally motivational experience that empowers audience members to do as he has done – spread love, unconditionally.