Shoppers are noticing TV stars stepping off-screen to stand with young people , Smoggie Queens cast members Elijah Young, Alexandra Mardell and Peter McPherson have joined 30 LGBTQ+ celebrities and allies in a new film by The Proud Trust, amplifying calls for safer spaces, understanding and better support for LGBTQ+ youth across the UK.

Essential Takeaways

  • Local voices: Smoggie Queens actors born and raised in Teesside lend regional visibility to the campaign, boosting awareness in Middlesbrough and across Teesside.
  • Big-name backing: The film features high-profile allies, from Sir Stephen Fry to Dame Kelly Holmes, increasing reach and credibility.
  • Urgent need: The Proud Trust reports nearly half of LGBTQ+ pupils face bullying and almost six in 10 have seriously considered suicide, underlining why the campaign matters.
  • Practical help: The Proud Trust offers youth groups, mentoring and one-to-one support, with resources and the campaign film available online.
  • Emotional tone: The cast stress belonging and acceptance, with personal reflections that feel sincere and grounded.

Why Smoggie Queens’ involvement matters now

The simplest thing is this: familiar faces make messages stick. Seeing Elijah Young, Alexandra Mardell and Peter McPherson , actors who portray friends in a Middlesbrough sitcom , lend their voices to The Proud Trust’s Deserve Better campaign gives the appeal a warm, local heartbeat. It’s not just celebrity endorsement, it feels like neighbours speaking up for neighbours. That local connection helps shift the conversation from abstract policy to the lived reality of LGBTQ+ young people in communities where representation really counts.

The campaign’s backbone , The Proud Trust’s services explained

The Proud Trust isn’t a one-off awareness stunt; it runs youth groups, mentoring, family support and one-to-one help for LGBTQ+ young people. According to the charity, demand for those services has surged , referrals climbed dramatically after a recent Supreme Court ruling , which shows how fragile and contested young people’s safety can be. For parents and carers, the takeaway is straightforward: these services are where young people can find practical advice and quiet solidarity when school corridors feel unsafe.

How the TV recommissioning helps the cause

Smoggie Queens being recommissioned for a third series adds fuel to the campaign’s fire. More episodes mean more airtime for characters who normalise queer lives in a northern town setting, and more chances for stars to talk about the issues off-screen. Industry outlets such as BBC coverage and TV press have flagged the recommissioning, and that ongoing spotlight keeps the conversation about representation and youth welfare alive beyond a single campaign film.

What the stats say , and what they feel like

The Proud Trust’s figures are stark: almost half of LGBTQ+ pupils report bullying, and around six in 10 have seriously contemplated suicide. Numbers like these are more than data , they’re lived experiences for thousands of young people. Campaigns that pair data with human voices, like the Smoggie Queens cast speaking from their own communities, help translate grim statistics into understandable, actionable messages for schools, families and policymakers.

How to help or find support today

If you’re a young person, a parent, or a teacher wondering what to do next, start with The Proud Trust’s website and social channels where the campaign film and practical guides are hosted. For immediate help, familiar helplines such as Samaritans, SANE and Calm are listed widely and are there 24/7. For those wanting to support, share the film, volunteer with local youth services, or press your local schools to adopt anti-bullying and inclusion policies , small, steady steps change the culture.

It's a small change that can make every young person feel safer and seen.

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