National Support
Switchboard – Helpline: 0300 330 0630 – go to website
Switchboard is a helpline whose aim is to provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.
Local and Essex
Outhouse East – go to website
Outhouse East is a registered charity seeking to offer support and information to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people of Essex. Regular social groups, free on-site counselling, equality and diversity training sessions. Based in Colchester Town Centre.
Colchester & Tendring Women’s Refuge – go to website
Opened in 1977, Colchester and Tendring Women’s Refuge was set up in response to a desperate need in the locality for a place to which abused women, with their children, could escape from their violent partners. They can provide safe, emergency accommodation for women and children suffering from domestic abuse, as well as offer advice, help and support to safely remain at home if you are not yet ready to leave.
Essex Sexual Health Service – go to website
Contraception, STI testing and treatment, and pregnancy advice.
Transpire – go to website – e-mail
Transpire is a non-profit community group which supports transgender persons, their friends and family and the wider LGBTQ+ community in the Southend-on-Sea and surrounding areas.
Bisexual
Biscuit – go to website
Biscuit is a magazine for bisexual women.
Faith/Religion
JGLG – go to website
Friendship and support for Jewish gays, lesbians, bisexuals and their partners.
LGCM – go to website
Ecumenical Christian organisation open to all irrespective of sexual orientation, challenging homophobia in the Churches and other Christian communities.
Quest – go to website
Group for lesbian and gay Catholics.
Imman – go to website
LGBTQI Muslim support group.
Safra Project – go to website
Resource project on issues relating to lesbian, bisexual and transgender women who identify as Muslim culturally and/or religiously.
Health
MIND – go to website
Mental health charity
THT – go to website
Terrence Higgins Trust – HIV/AIDS information, safer sex, online booklets and help line.
Alcoholics Anonymous – go to website
Alcoholics Anonymous are not LGBT specific but men and women who support each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. National Helpline: 0845 769 7555
NHS Gay Health Guide – go to website
Health issues that affect you if you’re lesbian or bisexual with practical advice on how to stay in good health.
Disability
Regard – go to website
National organisation of disabled LGBT people.
Housing
Stonewall Housing – go to website
LGBT Housing support and advocacy
LGBT Jigsaw – go to website
LGBT Jigsaw is a one-stop-shop for young lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people across London who are homeless or having trouble at home.
Ladies
Ginger Beer – go to website
London’s leading website for lesbians and bisexual women.
Legal
Pink Law – go to website
Pink Law gives free and impartial legal advice to the LGBT community.
Older LGBT
Age UK – go to website
Information and advice for older LGBT people, although not terribly specific.
Age of Diversity – go to website
For older lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people across the UK.
Opening Doors – go to website
Age Concern’s programme that seeks to address the needs of older lesbians, gay men and bisexuals in the UK.
Support
StopHateUK – go to website
Stop Hate UK is one of the leading national organisations working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination
Broken Rainbow – go to website
Support for LGBT People experiencing domestic violence.
FFLAG – go to website
Support for friends and families of lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
LGBT Foundation – go to website
Ending homophobia, empowering people.
Women’s Aid – go to website
National charity working to end domestic violence against women and children.
Young LGBT
Queer Youth Network – go to website
The UK’s National LGBT Youth Organisation.
BLAH LGBT Youth – go to website
BLAH LGBT Youth is part of Norfolk LGBT Project working together since 2007 to provide social & peer support groups for young gay, lesbian, bisexual people or those questioning their sexuality or gender identity aged 25 and below, living in Norfolk and Waveney. The main purpose of their work is to provide a safe venue, away from the scene where young LGBT people can have the opportunity to talk about issues affecting them, to offer an opportunity for them to access condoms, sexual health/HIV information and also the chance to meet other LGBT young people.
Outreach Youth – go to website
Outreach Youth supports and works with young people across Suffolk and North Essex, aged 13 to 19 years, who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning their sexuality.
We provide opportunities for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning young people to meet as a group and offer one-to-one support in safe, welcoming, non-judgmental settings in Ipswich, Lowestoft, Bury St Edmund and North Essex.