An attendee once told Kat Clark that every time he walks through the doors at Tauranga Pryde, he forgets all of the bullying and the negativity that's happening in his life and he enters a place where he feels safe.

'He's not judged and most of all, he's proud of who he is,” says 23-year-old Kat, who started the group for the city's rainbow youth in April 2014.

Kat Clark owes her Youth Awards to Tauranga Pryde and the change the group is making in the community.

Since then the group, which focuses on supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and straight youth, has grown exponentially.

Around 30 people, aged between 14 and 24, show up regularly, and Kat has three new facilitators helping her.

'And the more people who find out about it, the more that want to come – and the more I can help,” says the Bachelor of social work student.

As group leader, Kat says they maintain ethics such as non-judgment, no labels and no bullying.

'We value Tauranga Pryde as a safe place where members are able to express their emotions, ask for support and have a laugh,” she adds.

'But mostly, Tauranga Pryde is a place of acceptance.”

And the feedback suggests it's become a place even parents believe benefit their youth.

'All the parents love it,” explains Kat. 'I get text messages saying their child is jumping round the room because they were nervous – now they're just so happy.

'And that makes me so happy.”

Last week Kat received the Working For Youth Award and Change Maker Award from Youth Minster Nikki Kaye at Parliament as part of the Youth Week 2015 Awards after being nominated by the Rainbow Youth group.

'The Change Maker award represents the positive change Tauranga Pryde is making in society for the LGBTQ youth,” she says.

'We're heading in a positive direction of achieving equality for all people – no matter what their gender or sexuality.”

But Kat says the awards she won are not her own. 'I accepted them on behalf of Tauranga Pryde – as it feels I wouldn't be here without them.”

'It's not about me basically, it's about Tauranga Pryde.”

To learn more or join the group, call Rainbow Youth on: 09 376 4155.