Osborne Clarke Pride partnering with Freedom

Can you tell us a little about who you are and your connection with OTR?

My name is Gemma and I’m a People Development manager at Osborne Clarke law firm and a member of Osbourne Clarke Pride our LGBTQ+ network. I am a retired international rugby player and have experience coaching rugby with young people. Our Pride Network has partnered with OTR’s Freedom Project and we are fundraising collectively as a Network. I am personally fundraising for Freedom this year as well.

I have always been passionate about mental health. I grew up with an eating disorder and did not get the support I needed. My school tried to support me but there was no specific training and signposting which meant my eating disorder got a lot worse. It’s really important that young people get the right support at the right time.

Do you think being a young person impacted the support that was offered to you?

Being young played a huge role in what happened to me and I wasn’t always listened to by adults in my life. Young people understand themselves the most, what’s facing them right now, like the pressures of social media, or the challenges they face trying to reintegrate socially after the new normal and Pandemic. I saw this firsthand as a rugby coach. It’s so important we listen carefully to young people and their unique circumstances, otherwise we might miss something significant.

Can you tell me why you and your organisation are supporting Freedom? 

My eating disorder came about because of my sexual orientation. I went to a school that had no visible LGBTQ+ role models, no other pupils that identified. I lost my father when I was 17 and I never came out to him. This spurred me on to think, I don’t want to lose somebody else without them really knowing who I am. I have no doubt he would have accepted and loved me. After this I came out to my mum and to my close friends at school. Whilst they accepted me the wider school community did not show the same understanding and this made my eating disorder worse.

It terrifies me that young people could still go through this, this is why Freedom is incredible. It creates a safe space where young people can meet other LGBTQ+ identifying people and be themselves, without being judged. It’s empowering for a young person to be given space to explore who they are and what they are thinking and feeling. 

Can you tell us a little bit about the fundraising your are doing for OTR?

My fundraising challenge is to cover 2023 miles by foot to mark this year. That’s on bike, foot and swimming; the 3 disciplines of a Triathlon. My challenges include an Iron Man, Half Marathon, Half Iron man and Marathon, finishing with a marathon run on the 10th October for World Mental Health Day.  A person wearing a blue hat and a blue tank top

I have really enjoyed this challenge, as physical activity is great for your mental wellbeing, being outside and connecting with nature. 

Would you recommend partnering with OTR to another organisation?

Young people are the next generation. We have to do everything we can to support young people to put them in the best position they can to succeed.

OTR offers support, services and a safe space for young people from different backgrounds going through different experiences and challenges. They provide services that empower and improve the confidence of the next generation to step into your workforce. I am a People Development Manager, it’s my role to understand how you get the best out of your people. Ensuring they have a voice and tools – OTR provides all of those things through the variety of different services available. I like that about the charity.

You can still sign up to the Bath Half to support OTR!