A HOSPICE has partnered with an LGBTQ+ youth charity to offer training to staff on caring for the trans and non-binary community.

Brighton-based Allsorts Youth Project will provide training sessions for Martlets staff, who provide care to people living through terminal illness, on critical issues and challenges faced by people who are trans.

The training is part of a programme of work being undertaken by the hospice to ensure its services are inclusive to all.

Clare Irving, chief executive of Martlets, said: “Everyone facing the end of their life deserves to have equitable access to care and to be treated with dignity and respect.

“My team and I acknowledge the extra responsibility we have to understand what people from difficult communities may need from us and this includes our LGBTQ+ neighbours.

“We want to be a welcoming and inclusive place and we are proud of our journey so far.

“However, we know we can do better and we are delighted to be working with Allsorts Youth Project.”

The training follows national work by Hospice UK to explore the experiences of trans and intersex people. The “Being Ready” project, aims to make end-of-life, palliative, death, funeral, memorial and bereavement services trans and intersex inclusive in England and Wales.

Chief executive of Allsorts Youth Project Katie Vincent said: “Now more than ever, it is vital that we work with the wider community to challenge LGBTQ-phobia and create safer spaces across our communities for all LGBTQ+ people.

“Awareness and inclusion training is an essential pillar to our three-pronged approach for supporting LGBTQ+ young people and their families across Sussex and we are proud to be working with Martlets towards this shared goal.”