Olympic torchbearer: Tara Mifflin

We're looking again at LGBT Olympic torchbearers and their nomination stories:

Tara Mifflin of Leeds, age 41
Carrying the Flame through Y Felinheli
Carrying the Flame on 28 May 2012


Tara's nomination story
I have worked closely with Stonewall (against Homophobic Bullying) as a youth leader volunteer. I have used my own time at weekends and evenings to help to 'make a difference' to the youth volunteer programme. Stonewall has successfully run this project for 3 years and depends on volunteers like myself to deliver the campaign across the whole of the UK.
It was my responsibility to help my youth volunteers deliver their own specific campaign against homophobic bullying. We had weekly tele contact to discuss how each stage of their campaign was progressing. Together I helped set up a robust 'business plan' and strategy, from helping print posters to contacting schools to gain permission for the girls to deliver their campaigns. I acted as a mentor and confident as well as a sounding board, I supported through challenging situations including direct discrimination and abuse. One of volunteers was nominated for the young campaigner of the year 2011 which made me feel really proud and this is when I realised that all my hardwork,comitment and dedication had paid off.
The campaign with approx 15 youth volunteers and 7 youth leaders helped 'reach' over 10,000 people across the UK who will hopefully be better educated about how homophobic bullying can affect gay, lesbian and bisexual young adults. I was also invited to attend the presentation ceremony in March where Ben Sumerskill presented all the youth volunteers with awards. It was a truely amazing day.