I cannot believe that already a year has passed since I was elected chair of beYOU. This has been a year of tremendous change, both in terms of how we provide services, and how we have grown into our new identity, whilst maintaining the values that we developed as the Reading Lesbian and Gay Helpline.

RLGH was set up in 1979 to support lesbians, gay men, their families and friends at a time when ‘coming out’ was generally much more difficult than it is now. Although, we still take calls from people who still find this process difficult and daunting, despite the higher level of acceptance and awareness in the local community.

Last year we decided that we had to respond to the positive changes in attitudes towards lesbians and gay men within society, and to technological developments that have changed the way people access information and communicate. We felt that we could no longer solely provide information over the phone. Also, there was a growing realisation that whilst ‘coming out’ was becoming easier, people still needed help and support to develop a healthy gay and lesbian identity and lifestyle. Whilst we have been providing safer sex information and advice for many years, we could do more to promote healthy gay and lesbian lifestyles; emotionally, mentally, sexually and physically.

As a result we decided to change our name to beYOU to reflect our new broader approach and developed the new services mentioned later in this report.

This has been a busy year in which we have responded well to the challenges set before us. The beHERE drop-in sessions have been well received and utilised by our clients. The beYOU Messages evenings have been very successful, our new name and identity has been well received by members of the local gay and lesbian community, and our partner organisations. We have worked hard at recruiting new volunteers with several having just completed their training with more waiting for the next round. We also have been successful at raising grant income towards our training and volunteer expenses.

I must thank our dedicated team of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to provide excellent support to our clients both on the Helpline and the beHERE drop-in sessions whilst responding with patience and good humour to the challenges of rapid organisational change over the last year. Without them beYOU would simply not exist and it has been a joy and a pleasure to work with them all over the last year.

I must also thank the members of the management committee who continue to provide unfailing support, and given time out of their busy schedules to develop the work of beYOU over the last twelve months.

Lastly I would like to thank my partner who is responsible for our new branding and providing our excellent promotional material, as well as being my unfailing support and inspiration.

Simon Godefroy beYOU chair simon@beyou.org.uk