Sixth Form College Student selected to join Stonewall Youth Volunteering Programme to tackle LGBT issues

Student, Vivienna Valentina was selected by the Stonewall Youth Volunteering Scheme to take part in a 3-day residential training workshop in London to learn the skills needed to become an ambassador for the organisation and help tackle homophobia and transphobia in local schools and the community.

Vivienna, who currently studies Business Studies, English Language and Literature and Film Studies at The Sixth Form College, discovered the Stonewall scheme following a meeting at the College’s LGBT student support group with Wirral’s LGBT network representative Henry Poultney.

Stonewall is renowned for its campaigning and lobbying for LGBT equality.  Some major successes include lifting the ban on LGB people serving in the military, securing legislation allowing same-sex couples to adopt and helping secure civil partnerships and then equal marriage. In 2005 they launched their Education for All Campaign to help prevent homophobic bullying in schools and colleges.

The former Woodchurch High School student received training in how to tackle and deal with Homophobic Language, as well as Volunteer Training and Confidence Techniques in order to be able to attend local schools to take part in workshops and assemblies to pass on these skills to others and raise awareness surrounding LGBT issues. Vivienna is due to graduate from the Volunteer Programme at a ceremony on April 15th and hopes to be able to volunteer in local primary and secondary schools in order to become a Stonewall Ambassador.

Vivienna felt the Stonewall Youth Volunteering Scheme was extremely beneficial stating, “It was a once in a lifetime experience that was amazing and I will never forget. It taught me new skills and raised my awareness to issues surrounding LGBT and I gained the confidence to be able to lead, empower and inspire others.”

Vivienna enjoys life at The Sixth Form College and is an active member of the College’s Enrichment programme taking part in groups and activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, The Debating Club and the Advanced Academic Writing Programme as well as gaining extra qualifications in First Aid and the Food Safety in Catering Award. Vivienna has applied and received offers from five Universities to study Business including Westminster Kingsway College, East London and West London University.

Vivienna added, “The Sixth Form College is a really supportive and friendly environment and is great at focusing on treating students equally and as individuals with lots of opportunities to take advantage of.”