Birmingham’s LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community has opened a new sports and fitness studio at the Health and Wellbeing Centre on Holloway Centre in Birmingham City Centre.

The Big Lottery Fund awarded the project almost £500,000 over a four year period.

The project named The Vault has been introduced to combat against barriers that prevent LGBT communities from accessing mainstream sports facilities such as discrimination, stereotyping, lack of inclusion in policies, procedures and marketing and fears for safety.

Birmingham’s LGBT said they are also working with mainstream service providers to address health inequalities within the LGBT Community, such as high rates of smoking and drinking, self harm, depression and attempted suicide.

A range of services are on offer from the centre including; yoga, pilates, fitness groups, alcohol support and advice, weight management, smoking cessation, counselling and sexual health services.

Some of the classes at the studio will be funded through Birmingham City Council’s Be Active scheme. The Vault will also have a changing facility and dedicated Trans changing space.

David Viney, Birmingham LGBT health and wellbeing manager, said: “The sole aim of The Vault is to provide the LGBT community with a welcoming and safe environment to enjoy sports activities.

“A worrying amount of young LGBT people have admitted to experiencing homophobic bullying and almost half of those do not engage in sports for this reason. We hope that by making The Vault accessible to the Birmingham LGBT community we are able to nurture their passion for fitness.”

Meanwhile, Manchester is currently hosting a The Pride Games which aims to tackle homophobia in sport and promote the inclusion of LGBT people in the national sports strategy.

This year, the Games celebrates its ninth year in Manchester, with events in everything from volleyball to softball to mountain biking.

The Games are organised by Pride Sports, the UK's LGBT Sport organisation, with the support of Manchester City Council.