We’re delighted to share that, from April 2026, the BeYou Project, a much‑needed programme supporting young LGBTQIA+ people, will be joining Oasis Domestic Abuse Service. 

BeYou has long provided safe, inclusive spaces for young people across Kent and Medway who often face higher risks around mental health, domestic abuse, exploitation and isolation. Created by Porchlight 9 years ago, the service has grown into a trusted and empowering blend of youth groups, one‑to‑one support, mentoring and creative activities that help young people explore their identity, build confidence and find community. Too many still struggle to access support that truly understands their experiences, and BeYou was designed to change that. 

Bringing the Kent branch of BeYou into Oasis feels like a natural step. Many young LGBTQIA+ people experience unhealthy or abusive relationships, and those exploring their gender identity can be especially vulnerable to control and exploitation. By integrating this work into our service for Children and Young People, we can strengthen early intervention, promote healthy relationships and make sure young people have access to support that genuinely meets their needs. 

BeYou forms part of the NHS Kent Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Therapeutic Alliance, led by Salus and funded by the ICB. This long-term partnership gives us a powerful opportunity to build on BeYou’s strong foundations and deliver a service that is compassionate, evidence‑led and shaped by the voices of the young people it exists to support. We also plan to develop research alongside the service so we can better represent the needs of LGBTQIA+ young people nationally and help close the gaps in provision that still leave too many without help. 

Quote from Claire Fowler, CEO at Oasis: 

“Young LGBTQIA+ people face very real and often overlooked risks, and we have a responsibility to offer support that is safe, informed and genuinely affirming. This is a really exciting opportunity for Oasis. BeYou gives us the chance to keep building and shaping support differently and to do it properly, with young people’s voices at the centre.”