IMPORTANT UPDATE: Our Facebook accounts for Network Homes and Network Homes sales have been compromised. We’re doing everything we can to liaise with Facebook and resolve this issue. Until then, please do not use our Facebook accounts to contact us and ignore any messages or post you may have received from our Facebook accounts from Thursday 28 September. 

Directory of LGBTQ+ friendly organisations

Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, and to live in an area where they feel comfortable and accepted. We want all residents to feel this way, no matter what your gender identity or sexual orientation is. Having a strong support network around you can make a huge difference, especially for people who may experience discrimination or marginalisation from wider society. As part of our ongoing commitment to being a HouseProud Pledge Pioneer, which involves ensuring LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more sexualities or gender fluid identities) residents are able to enjoy their homes without fear of discrimination, we’ve created a directory of LGBTQ+ friendly organisations in or near London and Hertfordshire. This directory is available to help LGBTQ+ residents find free local groups, networks and services who champion LGBTQ+ communities.

Check out the directory below to find out information about the support, service or network available in your area. We’ve included a wide range of organisations so you can find out more and take part in the groups and services that are most interesting and useful for you or the LGBTQ+ people in your life. 

Hertfordshire

Young Pride in Herts (Services for Young People)

The group is for young people in the LGBT+ community in Hertfordshire. It is run by the council's Services for Young People (SfYP) in collaboration with young LGBT+ people in the county and provides information and advice on a range of issues, including gender identity, coming out, taking care of your health and what to do if you are experiencing hate crime. Services for Young People supports young people through its LGBT+ projects for 13-17s which run every week in every district of Hertfordshire. They also run trans support groups, projects for 18-24s and a countywide youth voice group. All projects are in safe and confidential settings where young people can get support and advice from experienced and qualified SfYP Youth Workers and Personal Advisers.

Young Pride in Herts

Berkshire

BeYOU – Berkshire Lesbian & Gay Information Network

BeYOU is committed to supporting you to develop a healthy sexual identity and lifestyle. BeYOU offers a Helpline, Drop-in and information covering Reading, Berkshire and beyond. Anyone and everyone uses our services, of any age, ethnic group, or walk of life. However, they are mainly contacted by lesbians and gay men, people who are unsure of their sexuality or want support in coming out and parents and friends of lesbians and gay men.

BeYOU

Buckinghamshire

Aylesbury Vale LGBT Social Group

An LGBTIQ+ voluntary community organisation that organises events and social gatherings, primarily in and around the Aylesbury Vale area of Buckinghamshire in the United Kingdom. You can meet the local LGBTIQ+ Community, their friends, families and allies, in a relaxed, safe and socially enhancing atmosphere at various locations.

Aylesbury Vale LGBT Group

Central Bedfordshire

LGBT Bedfordshire

LGBT Bedfordshire is a registered community interest company. They exist for the enhancement and development of their community. They are proudly black owned and have a special interest in intersectional development and LGBTQ+ people of colour (PoC) as well as the wider community. They have six key objectives:

  1. A safe space and directory for LGBT+ people and their families
  2. A programme of skills courses and employability training for LGBT+ people (and service users)
  3. Social and activity groups that deviate from the traditional, associated 'scenes'
  4. Training packages and best practice guidance for employers, educators and faith organisations
  5. Befriending service and companionship - including LGBT+ people who are elderly or disabled
  6. Information service including sexual health, HIV, mental health and wellbeing

LGBT Bedfordshire

Milton Keynes

Q:alliance

Q:alliance is a registered charity that provides support, information and representation for the LGBTQ+ people in Milton Keynes and Bedford. Their goal is to create more and more safe spaces and resources to ensure the LGBTQ+ community is well represented and supported.

Q:alliance

Watford

PACT

Hertfordshire council's Services for Young People (SfYP) run PACT,  a weekly support group for young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender variant people and those questioning their sexuality. PACT Project organise fun activities, learning opportunities and discussions with other young LGBT+ people in the area. They also organise trips you can attend. It is for ages 13-17, and meets every Thursday, 5-7pm.

PACT Project

Spectra

Provides health and wellbeing services for trans and non-binary people, from across London. Spectra exists to support people of all sexualities, gender identities, cultural influences and ethnicities who want to make positive changes to their lives. With a focus on sexual health and emotional wellbeing, Spectra recognises that a person's sense of identity, well-being, culture, knowledge and confidence impacts strongly on the choices they make in life. They run drop in groups, counselling, social sexual health services.

Spectra

London Friend

London Friend offers counselling and support around issues such as same-sex relationships, sexual and gender identity and promoting personal growth and self-confidence. They’re also home to Antidote - the UK's oldest LGBT drug and alcohol service. Their social groups provide a safe space to meet and socialise as an alternative to the bar and club scene. Services are delivered by trained Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans volunteers.

London Friend

Barking And Dagenham

Flipside Youth Club

Flipside is a youth club for young people aged 11 to 19 (up to 25 for people with SEN) who identify as LGBTQ+. They have guests come and run workshops including creative writing, poetry, cooking, yoga and meditation, dance; LGBTQ+ people come and talk about their life experiences, they go on trips and outings: locally - bowling, cinema, mini golf, Broadway theatre, London - inc. taking part in Pride in London parade, galleries, museums, parks and further afield.

Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest

Proud North London

Proud North London is an LGBT+ Youth provision providing safe and supportive spaces for young people to meet and socialise with others, learn about their identities, access to support from qualified youth workers, and be involved with their local and wider LGBT+ communities. The groups run on a weekly basis where you can meet other likeminded young people to socialise and participate in the LGBT+ community. Although it mainly covers Enfield and Haringey, young people from nearby boroughs like Barnet, Waltham Forest and Islington are welcome.

Brent

Mosaic Trust

Mosaic Trust’s mission is to support, educate and inspire young LGBT+ people and those around them. They do this by providing accessible activities, programmes and services that aim to empower community members, provide essential resources, advocate for young LGBT+ rights, and embrace, promote, and endorse the diversity of young persons.

Croydon

TransPALS

Set up in Croydon in 1990, TransPALS is a group for mutual social support. They meet at least once a month to chat, discuss issues and assist each other. They work across south London and aim to provide a safe space for all transgender people to mix and share experiences with each other. As they have many people at different stages of their journeys, they can offer informal mentoring, advice and signposting to appropriate services. They meet at the Oval Tavern, Croydon every second Saturday from 7:30pm onwards.

Ealing

West London Queer Project

The West London Queer Project (WLQP) is a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) driven by the desire to connect, support and give voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and other sexual and gender identifying (LGBTQ+) people in West London. WLQP offer fun events, a safe space, a welcoming, supportive and safe environment to uplift, empower, and connect as well as advocacy, awareness-raising and change making activities among local policy-makers.

Hackney

Project Indigo (Off Centre)

This is run by Off Centre,  a counselling, art therapy, advice and information service for young people aged 16-25 in City and Hackney. Project Indigo offers free, confidential services aimed at helping Hackney’s young LGBTQ+ people to have greater control over their lives. They run a social support group every Thursday from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in Off Centre (Unit 7: The Textile Building, 29a – 31a Chatham Place, London E9 6FJ). It’s for anyone ages 16 to 25 who might identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or might be questioning their gender or sexuality. 

Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster

Turning Point – SASH

SASH provides free, non-judgmental support to improve sexual health,  relationships, and mental health. They work in Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster to improve residents’ sexual health. The LGBT Focus group meets monthly to develop the service for LGBT clients. They hope to increase knowledge and provide better support and access to clients around range of LGBT issues.

Harrow

The LGBT Support Group

The LGBT Support Group is a group for young people aged 14- 18 who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, other sexualities or questioning their sexuality (LGBT), who live, study or work in the borough of Harrow. The LGBT Support Group offers any LGBT young person, a safe and confidential place with 1-2-1 or group support. The LGBT Support Group is one way in which you can choose to meet others who have had similar experiences to you.

Hillingdon

LGBTQI groups

A group for young people who are part of the LGBTQI community or questioning their sexuality or sexual identity. They run 2 groups for young people who identify as LGBTQI or are questioning their own sexuality. The groups provide an opportunity to meet other young people, talk in confidence and get support and advice. The 11 to 14-year-olds group meets fortnightly on a Wednesday, 6pm to 7pm. The 15 to 17-year-olds group meets fortnightly on a Wednesday, 5pm to 6pm.

Hounslow

Cherish Hounslow

A mental health community project partnership provided by METRO and NAZ. The project provides one-to-one advice and advocacy, group work, social groups and counselling for both LGBTQ+ and BAME people in Hounslow who are experiencing mental health issues.

Islington

Outcome

Outcome is Islington Mind’s LGBTQI+ specialist service, run by LGBTQI people with LGBTQI people. Their main aim is to provide a sanctuary for LGBTQI+ people- somewhere safe to socialise free from discrimination or feeling like the “odd one out”, receive therapies to improve mental health, and enjoy learning new skills in a supportive atmosphere. They meet every Tuesday between 11am and 4pm, both in-person and online.

Lambeth

Brixton Umbrella Circle

Brixton Umbrella Circle (BUC) is an independent, peer led, self-help group for older (50+) LGBTQ people. It offers a forum for mutual support, socialising and addressing individual and collective experiences (past and current) in a social, cultural and political context. Since 2015, BUC has been combatting social isolation and exclusion by organising ways for older LGBTQ+ people to connect, socialise and support each other, through coffee mornings, pub lunches, discussions, workshops, intergenerational events, trips to museums and other events.

Lambeth Links

Lambeth Links is Lambeth’s forum serving the LGBTIQ+ Community within the borough. Lambeth has the largest LGBTIQ+ Community in the UK and their aim is to serve as a central point of rallying, communication and advocacy on behalf of the LGBTIQ+ Community who live, work, study and socialise in the borough. Lambeth Links aim to strengthen the links between people, and at the same time highlight the many issues that still adversely affect LGBTQ+ communities. Their work is guided by their belief in an intersectional approach toward inclusivity and respect both of and for others.

Newham

Newham LGBTQ+ Youth Project

Newham LGBTQ+ Youth Project works with LGBTQ+ people or people who are questioning their sexual or gender identity between the ages of 9-25. At the early stages of developing the service with for and by queer young people, the service is free to access and provides a safe, supportive and non-judgemental place where young people can be themselves, meet other LGBTQ+ young people, make new friends, have fun taking part in activities and influence change in the community.

Redbridge

Redbridge Rainbow Community

Redbridge Rainbow Community are a forum based group primarily for Lesbian and Bisexual Women, Gay and Bisexual Men, and Trans-gendered people who live, work, study and/or socialise within the London Borough of Redbridge. They advocate for social inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge and work with local public services, including council services, the police, health services and other services and businesses so that they can fully take into account the needs of LGBTQ+ people.

Richmond Upon Thames

Age UK Richmond's LGBT+ services

As part of Age UK Richmond's Telephone Befriending Service, they offer a specific strand for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender older people because it's important to have someone to talk to who understands. They also run a group called Rainbow Cafe for older LGBTQ+ people in the borough. They welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer people to join them for coffee and a friendly chat at the Eel Pie pub in Twickenham.

They also run a Rainbow Carers online support group for older gay and lesbian people who are looking after a partner, relative or friend with dementia or memory loss. The group provides a safe and supportive space where carers can talk frankly about the issues they are facing in their daily lives, give each other mutual support and share suggestions, information and ideas. This group is run by the charity Opening Doors who provide information and support specifically for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) older people. For more information on Rainbow Carers, please contact maggie.martin@openingdoors.lgbt or call 0207 183 6260.

Tower Hamlets

East London Out Project (ELOP)

ELOP are an exciting and innovative LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing charity based in East London. They provide information, advice, counselling and support services, plus other social and community activities & events to London’s LGBTQ+ communities. In Tower Hamlets, ELOP is part of the Tower Hamlets Equalities Hub, which works with the council to respond to the community’s needs and issues.

Wandsworth

Queer Wandsworth

Queer Wandsworth campaigns locally, across London and nationally to raise awareness and promote the interests of LGBTQ+ people. 

Westminster

56 Dean Street

56 Dean Street runs a programme called 56T which offers a range of sexual health and wellbeing services for the trans and non-binary community, in a dedicated space. These services include sexual health screenings, hormone-monitoring blood tests, and PREP. The clinic runs from 4.30pm to 7pm every Wednesday evening (56 Dean Street (2nd Floor), London, W1D 6AQ).

Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Project

A helpline that offers a listening ear to lesbians and gay men who have been bereaved or are preparing for bereavement. Run by London Friend.

Alzheimer’s Society

Provides telephone support for lesbians and gay men caring for someone with dementia.

Stonewall Housing

A specialist LGBT housing advice, referrals service and support provider. Providing housing support for LGBT people in their own homes, supported housing for young LGBT people, free confidential housing advice for LGBT people of all ages.

Rainbow Migration

They provide practical and emotional support for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum to help improve their confidence and self-esteem and reduce isolation. They provide specialist legal information and advice, and campaign to improve the treatment of people seeking asylum. They also provide legal advice and information to LGBTQI+ people who want to live in the UK with their partners.

Opening Doors London

Provides information and support services to and with older (50+) lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people across London.

Queers without beers

A social space for LGBTI+ people that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. Everyone is welcome – whether you have never drank alcohol, don’t want alcohol at that time, are looking to change your drinking, or have actively quit.

Black Trans Alliance

The black trans alliance was founded in 2020 and is black, queer, and trans led non-profit organization that supports black trans and non-binary people in London and the wider community through advocacy, education, visibility and empowerment. Their helpline is currently not open, but they recommend the National Trans 24HR Helpline, which is: 07527524034.

House of Rainbow

House of Rainbow is an organisation that creates relationships between among Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ+) individuals, and helps connect black people with their faith.

Hertfordshire and outside London
Throughout London
London boroughs
Nationwide

If a nearby organisation does not provide for your needs, we also have a list of specialist mental health support for LGBTQ+ people featured here on our website: Wellbeing and mental health | SNG, formerly Network Homes

LGBTQ+ friendly mental health support

 

Safe Space

Together we can end domestic abuse