01/10/2026
“Leeds Sanctuary has been running Have Your Voice Heard (HYVH) for almost a year, and the group members have been committed to making this group what they want it to be!
“Over that time, I have seen one young person begin to explore faith and religion, being cautious to share it at first. In our most recent session, they showed us their Bible, with beautiful details and so many things that make it personal to them. They even felt comfortable enough to share a piece of scripture that was meaningful to them. Seeing how excited they were to show the group, and being confident enough to share such a meaningful part of their life in this space was an absolute pleasure and felt like a real privilege.
“One of our other group members is expressive in their appearance and identity and over time they have grown in confidence. They have done more than just come out of their shell, they burst through it!
“From being quiet and reserved in our first few sessions, they now articulate their thoughts and feelings clearly, sharing the things that bring them joy. They have put a lot of effort into their communication skills - holding conversations, finding talking points with people and trying to make eye contact when they can.
“For me, I think it’s a really good reflection of the group. We’re not here to “fix” things, the work and effort has to come from individual members.
“What we can do is provide a safe space to explore their lives and share as much or as little as they want. We’re here to support the work and the effort they are putting in. We’re here to help them feel confident enough to express who they truly are and provide a “bubble” away from their every day to come and just be themselves. Watching this group grow and develop is such a joy as a facilitator. Everyone deserves a space where they belong and feel accepted, and our group members have shaped that for themselves.” Eleanor
For more information about HYVH and how you might support the group, visit our website: https://www.leedssanctuary.org.uk/hyvh
