LGBTQ+ Support
There are several support services available nationally and locally for the LGBT+ community, click on each one below to be taken to their website to find out more. This list is not exhaustive, there is even more on offer that we haven't included but more can be found here LGBT support - Southend East Primary Care Network (southendeastpcn.nhs.uk).
A national charity delivering advice, support, and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) communities.
Call the helpline on 0345 3 30 30 30 open 9am – 9pm on weekdays and 10am – 5:30pm on weekends, or email helpline@lgbt.foundation.
Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email, and through instant messaging to discuss anything including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health, and emotional wellbeing.
Call the helpline on 0800 0119 100 open 10am – 10pm everyday, or email hello@switchboard.lgbt.
Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, they offer support to LGBT+ people who are victims or survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, so-called conversion therapies, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, and other forms of abuse.
Call the helpline on 0800 999 5428 open 10am – 8:30pm Monday to Thursday and 10am – 4:30pm Fridays, or email help@galop.org.uk.
Transpire is a voluntary community group in Southend-On-Sea supporting people who identify as trans and are one of Southend’s largest LGBTQI+ peer support networks.
Mermaids supports transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. They also provide lots of useful information on their website for young people, and their families, around gender.
Call the helpline on 0808 801 0400 open 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday, or email info@mermaidsuk.org.uk.
Pink Therapy offers a directory of qualified LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists and counsellors providing trusted, non-judgmental services for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, asexual, intersex and anyone who identifies as gender, sex or relationship diverse.
OutdoorLads runs a range of sociable outdoor activities aimed at gay, bi and trans guys right across the UK and further afield - activity based things like hiking, climbing, camping, biking, canoeing, scrambling, running and sailing, as well as purely social events.
The Outhouse is a registered charity seeking to offer support and information to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people of Essex. Based in Colchester City Centre, they provide a range of services and groups, and a place for the LGBTQ+ community to find support and friendship.
A Social and support group for gay and bisexual men, men who have sex with men and those unsure.
Meeting alternate Fridays from 8 pm in Benfleet, Grays / Thurrock, Hullbridge, Leigh on Sea and Shoeburyness. The venues are in a safe and confidential space for the purpose of forming friendships and providing mutual support.
Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people's charity, works with schools and young people across the UK to ensure LGBT+ young people can thrive.
Loving Me provide high quality support by trained specialists who understand the specific needs of the trans community as well as abuse and are a by-and-for service. The service is user-led which means that they provide support based on what the individual would like or needs.