Support Services in the Sector

There are a wide range of organisations, support services and helplines available offering frontline support. 

The below is not a comprehensive list but are organisations that can offer guidance and advice: 

Asylum and immigration 

UK-based organisations: 

Micro Rainbow has three key programmes:   

1. Safe Housing by providing temporary shelter in safe houses for all LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers  
2. Social inclusion with activities, peer support groups and mindfulness workshops   
3. Moving on to find employment, accessing vocational training or education.  

Rainbow Migration provides key information about making an asylum application because you are LGBTQ+ or you’d like to apply to live with your partner in the UK. They provide lots of information and support on their website, and have an email address you can contact and a phone line you can call.   

International organisations: 

Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQI people as they seek haven from state-enabled violence, murder or persecution.  

Norwegian Refugee Council supports LGBTQI people who are forced to flee. Details of the service are listed by country through this link here.   

Helplines

 The LGBT+ Switchboard Helpline provides an information, support and referral service for the LGBTQ+ community. You can call to speak to a volunteer between 10:00-22:00 every day on 0800 0119 100.  

The LGBT Foundation have a Helpline and you can talk about mental health, coming out, isolation and loneliness and if you are questioning your gender identity.  You can call on 0345 3 30 30 30 (weekdays 9am-9pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am-5.30pm).

Social groups: 

The LGBT Consortium lists groups here.  

LGBT Foundation in Manchester has a range of groups you can find here.

Meetup is a nationwide database where you can search for groups and activities local to you.   

Discrimination and hate  

Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) advises and assists individuals on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales. Telephone: 0808 800 0082. 

Galop supports LGBT+ people when someone needs help talking with criminal justice organisations. They have a page of resources and publications (2019) and a page about complaining about the police.  

Homelessness and housing

Stonewall Housing provides supported housing, advice and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.   

Albert Kennedy Trust (London, Manchester and Newcastle) provides support, advice and services to young LGB homeless people aged 16-25.  

Legal advice

Citizens Advice (CA) provide free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on a broad range of subjects, including debt, benefits, housing, consumer, family, immigration, health and the legal system.     

The Law Centre’s Network provide free, independent professional legal advice to people in their local area on welfare rights; disability rights; immigration and asylum; housing and homelessness; employment rights; community care and all forms of discrimination.     

Law Works offers pro-bono assistance to people who cannot afford a solicitor.