A Local Look at National Trends: Understanding the Needs of Wakefield’s LGBTQ+ Community

At LonGBoaT Wakefield, our mission is rooted in creating safer, more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people across the Wakefield district. To do that effectively, we must build our work on solid foundations of data and lived experience. The recent LGBTQ+ findings published in the Wakefield Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) offer crucial insight into the realities facing LGBTQ+ people in our area, especially young people, and help us shape our charity’s strategy for maximum impact.

LGBTQ+ in Wakefield: What the Data Tells Us

Nationally, it’s estimated that around 3.2% of the adult population identifies as LGBTQ+, but in Wakefield, that figure rises to 5.8%. Even more telling, 17.1% of Year 12 students (ages 16–17) in Wakefield identified as LGBTQ+ in the 2024 School Health Survey.

This mirrors a national trend of younger generations being more open in their identity, but also highlights a growing local community that needs visibility, support, and protection.

While no significant differences were found across ethnicity, sex or deprivation levels, age clearly plays a factor; young people are leading the change, but they are also bearing the brunt of society’s slow progress.

The data is particularly sobering when it comes to safety and wellbeing. Almost a quarter (23.9%) of LGBTQ+ Year 12 students say they feel unsafe in the area they live, and around 1 in 10 feel unsafe at school and even at home. These are supposed to be their safest spaces.

Add to this the fact that LGBTQ+ students are significantly more likely to struggle with period poverty, loneliness, and worry; especially around body image, school exams, family, and money, and it becomes clear that this is more than just a numbers game. It’s a mental health crisis unfolding in our classrooms and homes.

Mental Health: A Clear and Urgent Divide

Mental health disparities are stark. Only 3.6% of LGBTQ+ adults in Wakefield report high mental wellbeing, and that number drops to just 1.2% for Year 12 students. Over half of LGBTQ+ adults have had thoughts of self-harm, with many acting on those thoughts.

Young people report higher loneliness, lower optimism for their future, and deep-rooted issues with body image; 66.1% of LGBTQ+ Year 12 students scored 2 or more on the SCOFF eating disorder screening, indicating potential disordered eating. These statistics are a wake-up call for services, charities and decision-makers alike.

Barriers to Health and Support

Despite LGBTQ+ adults reporting similar levels of physical health conditions overall, the 35 to 65 age group is significantly more likely to live with a long-term condition. Yet, 27.8% say they experience “a lot of problems accessing support”, reflecting persistent barriers to inclusive, affirming healthcare.

In a system still largely built on hetero- and cis-normative assumptions, LGBTQ+ individuals often feel unwelcome, misunderstood, or ignored by mainstream services. This not only affects care, but trust.

Higher rates of tobacco use, drug use (13.3%), and risky drinking behaviour further point to unhealthy coping mechanisms in response to systemic neglect and marginalisation.

Why These Statistics Matter to LonGBoaT Wakefield

As an LGBT+ charity rooted in community empowerment, these findings are vital in helping us understand where our efforts are most needed. They aren’t just numbers; they are realities faced by the very people we exist to support.

This data will directly inform LonGBoaT Wakefield’s strategic development over the coming months and years. We cannot fight what we do not fully understand, and now, with this data in hand, we can plan smarter, act faster, and do more good. We will be publishing our 5 Year plan, after out AGM in April 2025.

The Wakefield JSNA: What It Is and Why It Matters

The Wakefield Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) is a vital document created by Wakefield Council in collaboration with partners. It brings together data on the health and wellbeing of local people, identifying where the greatest needs lie and how services should respond.

For charities like LonGBoaT, the JSNA is more than a report; t’s a strategic tool. It gives us access to the same evidence base used by statutory services and policy-makers, helping us to speak their language and push for change where it’s most needed.

The LGBTQ+ section of the JSNA is a major step forward, not only in recognising the specific needs of our community, but in validating our experiences. With it, we can better argue for funding, build partnerships, and drive systemic change in Wakefield.

Looking Ahead

The evidence is clear: Wakefield’s LGBTQ+ community is growing, but so too are the challenges we face. Whether it’s isolation, mental health struggles, or difficulty accessing support, the need for inclusive, grassroots-driven services has never been greater.

At LonGBoaT Wakefield, we’re using this data as a launchpad; to sharpen our strategy, amplify local voices, and ensure that our work is not only reactive but transformative.

Together, with our community behind us and the evidence to back us, we will continue building a Wakefield where every LGBTQ+ person is seen, heard, and safe.

Source:Wakefield Joint Strategic Needs Assessment – LGBTQ+ Section https://www.wakefieldjsna.co.uk/lgbtq/