HOW VOLUNTEERING HELPED ME FIND MY PLACE AND CREATE SPACE FOR OTHERS

Jake Xu reflects on moving from Beijing to the UK, finding his identity as a gay East Asian man, and how volunteering with LGBT Foundation has given him a new way to turn his experience, skills and connections into action. I was born in Beijing, China, and moved to the UK when I was 17 years old with my twin brother, who I still run our business, Shakeup Cosmetics, with today. We built a life here after finishing our studies, but moving countries at that age meant learning how to navigate a new culture, while also beginning to understand my identity as a gay East Asian man. When you are young, you are already trying to find yourself and understand your true identity. Doing that in a completely new country brings all of those questions together at once. It was a lot to deal with, but looking back, I am actually quite glad I had that process because I think it really shaped me as a person. At the time, I didn’t often see people who looked like me represented in LGBTQ+ community spaces, or in positions of power and influence. Things are changing now, but more than 20 years ago that lack of visibility could leave you feeling like different parts of your identity had to sit in separate boxes, rather than being part of a whole. That can make you feel quite isolated. From Representation to Decision-Making I have spent most of my career building brands and businesses, particularly in beauty and now in men’s skincare. And at this stage of my life, I wanted to use some of that experience beyond my own company. I wanted to give something practical back to the community, while also learning from people whose experiences differ from mine and becoming a more useful advocate. That is part of what drew me to LGBT Foundation. The Foundation particularly appealed to me because it combines direct support for individuals with work aimed at creating longer-term change. It is grounded in the reality of people’s lives, whether that means health, wellbeing, safety, housing, discrimination or simply having somewhere to turn. The work is tangible, and you understand how it helps people. I now volunteer as a LGBT Foundation Board Advisor, particularly sitting on the Marketing and Fundraising Committee, where I contribute my experience in brand strategy, communications, partnerships, entrepreneurship, and the beauty and wellbeing industry. My ESEA (East and South East Asian) heritage shapes the perspective I bring to those conversations too. ESEA people are part of LGBTQ+ communities in this country, but our experiences and voices have not always been heard or been visible historically. Having lived in the UK for the last 27 years, I have seen things moving in the right direction, which is really good to see, but I still think there is more work to be done. In a team that already has deep knowledge of the communities it supports, I consider where my own experience can complement that knowledge. It might be helping more people understand LGBT Foundation’s work, building connections and partnerships, or thinking about how our communications can reach more people. For an organisation like this, having different cultural backgrounds in the room can help us question assumptions and recognise barriers we might otherwise miss. A campaign might appear inclusive but still fail to connect with someone because of the language, cultural references, expectations or simply a lack of visible representation. When people with varied lived experiences are involved from the beginning, those gaps are more likely to be identified before decisions are finalised. It isn’t about expecting one person to speak for an entire community. We can’t do that. It is about making sure decisions are informed by a broader range of perspectives from day one. For me, representation is most useful when it influences real decisions. Contributing to Something Bigger This is actually my first formal volunteering role. For years, I watched friends and family volunteer and admired the commitment and sense of purpose they gained from those experiences. My excuse was always that I was too busy with work, which was true. But actually, you can make time to contribute. Joining LGBT Foundation has made me realise that volunteering doesn’t have to look the same for everybody. The skills, experience and professional relationships I have developed throughout my career can be useful too. Through my business, for example, we created a bespoke set with LGBT Foundation and donated the proceeds and profit from it back to the organisation. I have also started making connections with the Beauty Council, where I am an advisory board member. I have only been involved with the Foundation for a few months but I hope that, as my role develops, I will be able to point to more tangible outcomes for the organisation and the people it supports. But I can say that it has already made a difference to me. Taking that first step has given me a stronger sense of connection and responsibility to my community, and an outlet to connect my own experiences and professional life with a clear social purpose. That matters because organisations like LGBT Foundation give individual efforts somewhere to go. Staff, volunteers, partners and communities can bring different experiences and resources together and turn them into something more coordinated and long-lasting. And the need for that is very real. If LGBT Foundation no longer existed, our community would lose a trusted place combining practical services, specialist knowledge and advocacy. For somebody who is isolated, worried about their health or mental health, or facing discrimination, simply knowing there is an experienced LGBTQ+ organisation there can provide reassurance and comfort. Without it, many people would have fewer safe routes to support, and fewer people to speak up about their experiences. There would be both a gap in services and a gap in the public voice of our community. Community, Belonging and Allyship If there is one thing I would say to younger queer people, it is that you don’t have to understand or explain every part of yourself immediately. There is no single timetable for coming out, finding your community, or feeling comfortable in your own identity and your own skin. Take the steps that feel safe and right for you. Try to find people and spaces where you can be seen and accepted without having to edit yourself. And if one space doesn’t feel welcoming, that doesn’t mean you don’t belong. Maybe you are simply in the wrong space. Our community is broad and diverse, and sometimes it takes time to find your own people. Asking for support is a strength, not a weakness, especially when you have been carrying something heavy alone for a long time. And to allies, I would say: allyship isn’t a buzzword or a badge of honour. Be consistent. Listen to LGBTQ+ people, speak up when you see prejudice or exclusion, and think about what you have that could help. If you have influence, contacts, networks, money, resources or a platform, use them. That could mean connecting an organisation like LGBT Foundation with a potential partner, donating, volunteering or making space for somebody else’s voice. Allyship becomes meaningful when good intentions become practical action. I think the same is true of my own journey with LGBT Foundation. I’m still at the beginning, but I have made that first step. And I hope that by getting involved, I can help make sure more perspectives are heard, more people are supported, and more people can see that there is a place for them at the table too.