During the COVID-19 Pandemic, many LGBTQ service providers have made significant changes to their services. This directory lists those changes.
If you provide LGBTQ services in Brighton & Hove, and would like to add your details to this resource, please register here:
email: [email protected]
phone: Office phone not in use during lockdown
website: https://www.allsortsyouth.org.uk/
about: Allsorts Youth Project listens to, supports & connects children & young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
service changes: Allsorts Youth Project is delivering one-to-one emotional support, groups and advocacy through Zoom and phone. Youth group activities include games, workshops and sessions on wellbeing.
All new young people interested in accessing Allsorts will need to have a video call with a youth worker.
Alongside our direct specialist youth support, we have also recommenced the provision of our parents/carers support group for parents/carers of trans and gender-questioning children and young people.
contact: Billie Or Louise
email: [email protected]
phone: 01273 675445 – option 3
website: http://www.lgbt-help.com
about: Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum are an established independent LGBT forum of elected unpaid volunteers working with the LGBT Community to address and improve safety and access issues throughout Brighton & Hove.
The LGBT Community Safety Forum was formed to give the community a much needed voice on a wide range of safety issues. We are here to act as a bridge between the community and statutory services such as the city council and Sussex police and to enable there to be more accountability and transparency of the services provided. Please see our website for more information.
service changes: Service users can contact our volunteers via our telephone number (01273 675445 – option 3) as well as via email ([email protected]). We also have volunteers able to assist with any advocacy needs as well as for assistance with shopping or collecting prescriptions.
contact: Sheila Roche
email: [email protected]
phone: 07789 861367
website: http://www.bodhitreebrighton.org.uk/
about: Our group meets on 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 5.30 – 7pm, @ Anahata Health Centre, 119 Edward Street, Brighton, BN2 0JL.
It is friendly drop-in group, open to everyone, and no previous experience of meditation is needed. By donation
service changes: During Lockdown, we are meeting every Thursday at 5.30 – 7pm via Zoom. Please email to receive the link to the meeting. All welcome.
contact: Celia Jones
email: [email protected]
phone: 01273 675764
website: https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/
about: Grassroots is a UK leader in suicide prevention. We help to create safe spaces in our communities for Real Talk about suicide. We support people in our communities to develop the skills and confidence needed to save lives.
service changes: We believe it’s important for all of us to be able to have open and courageous conversations around suicide, now more than ever.
With our face-to-face training postponed until 1st September, we’ve compiled a list of online training and e-learning resources suitable for those looking to build confidence around the topic of suicide prevention, in the time of social distancing.
These tools can provide a foundational understanding for those looking to become better prepared with skills that are literally life saving.
https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/training-courses/e-learning-options/
Our Stay Alive app is a free suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
In addition to the resources, the app includes a safety plan, customisable reasons for living, and a LifeBox. Here you can store photos and memories that are important to you. The app links you directly to local and national crisis resources.
download info: App-A5-Flyer-Portrait-2019-DIGITAL.pdf
BH-Crisis-Resources-Leaflet-Digital-with-links.pdf
contact: Gary Rolfe
email: [email protected]
phone: 07593 444677
website: https://www.hrra.org.uk/
about: Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance is an organisation that is working to support LGBTQIA+ people Hastings and Rother.
Established in 2003, HRRA works to support the local LGBTQIA+ communities by:
- Providing a voice within the statutory and voluntary sector
- Looking at the social needs of our communities and working to develop social outlets
- Promoting training and information services
- Providing training where possible
- Informing services providers of the needs of LGBTQIA+ communities
- Holding events that will encourage active citizenship by LGBTQIA+ people
service changes: Some of our groups are meeting online instead, including the Hastings and Rother Rainbow Alliance trans support group, TNB Hastings, Re:create performance group and the two Rainbow Alliance book clubs.
email: [email protected]
website: https://www.hidayahlgbt.co.uk/
about: Hidayah is a UK based charity that supports LGBT+ Muslims in reconciling with their faith and identity. We offer safe spaces and education to those who feel that they cannot be LGBT+ and Muslims at the same time.
service changes: We have moved all our physical meets to online meetings instead to adhere to the current Government rules. We are holding regular zoom events that range from poetry readings, quizzes/games sessions, virtual Iftar (during the month of Ramadhan) as well as movie nights. All our events can be found by searching our website or emailing us for information.
email: [email protected]
phone: 07846 464384
website: https://www.lunchpositive.org/
about: Weekly lunch club for people living with HIV – Community, food, friendship & peer support
service changes: Even in these unusual times, we aim to continue providing all these things to people with HIV as very best we can.
Stay in touch with each other and with us
We have put together a range of new ways to help people stay connected with us and with each other, and to find and share support.
These include a private Facebook Group, members WhatsApp group, online live chat, newsletter, phone-ins for a 1-1 talk and updates, and email. If you want to stay in touch and find out more, please tell us on contact form below.
Get help with additional food support
We can help to provide additional cooked food that can be collected from us or doorstep dropped at your home.
Depending on your individual circumstances, health, level of risk and social contact we can help you access this food in the best way. If you would like to know more about this then please get in touch using the contact form below.
Join us as a member if you are not already
We are here for all people with HIV in Brighton & Hove and surrounding areas.
We remain open for people to join us now as new members, to access support and services. If you would like to join us at any time through a ‘self-referral’ please let us know using the contact form here: https://www.lunchpositive.org/special-plans/
contact: Andrew Ramage
email: [email protected]
phone: 07905 537618
website: https://www.mccbrighton.org.uk/
about: We are a Christ inspired community that celebrates diversity and embraces relational faith. A relational faith is one that relates to the world around us with Love, Acceptance and Openness. We believe in respecting all people, animals and nature as part of God’s diverse creation.
We aim to meet people where THEY are, to broaden expectations of Christianity and Christians by proclaiming full inclusion with no priorities, to fight exclusion and isolation through volunteering and community works, to make our meetings fun, lively and relevant to people of all faith journeys, and of none.
service changes: Bible Cafe Takeaway– A study/discussion group that meets on Tuesdays at 7pm. bit.ly/MCCBBibleCafeTakeaway All opinions welcome.
Friday Night Worship– An informal worship service with contemporary music, open communion, and thought-provoking sermons. 7pm at bit.ly/MCCBFridayWorship
Pastor’s Community Checkin– A relaxed conversation with Pastor Andrew Ramage. Sundays at 5pm, bit.ly/MCCBCommunityCheckin
email: [email protected]
phone: 01273 234839
website: http://www.mindout.org.uk/
about: MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people.
We work to improve the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ communities and to make mental health a community concern.
We welcome all LGBTQ people and those who may not identify as LGBTQ including men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women, intersex people, people who previously identified as trans and people who are questioning their sexual and/or gender identities. If in doubt, please do contact us.
service changes: Advocacy, Online Support, Peer Support Groups, Peer Mentoring and Counselling are available online, via video conferencing, and by telephone.
contact: Laura Ward
email: [email protected]
phone: 01273 696970
website: https://www.oasisproject.org.uk/
about: We give hope to people affected by drugs & alcohol.
We help women, children and families find the strength and opportunities to make choices that lead to change. Not just for themselves, but for their families, their friends and their communities. For all of us.
service changes: Oasis Project would like to reassure our service users, partners and supporters that during this period our phone lines are still operational and we continue to offer a service to any woman worried about her drug or alcohol use through telephone-based one to one support. Brighton Adult Services clients, please contact your Care Co-Ordinator directly (contact details) or call 01273 696970 to speak with the reception team. You can also email [email protected]
Our creche is still open on a Monday 9-12 and a Tuesday 10-2. To book a place for your child in the creche please call 01273 696970 or email [email protected]
We have basic food and toiletry supplies. We also have a supply of Naloxone pens if you are concerned about overdose. Please call 01273 696970 or email [email protected]
East Sussex clients, please contact the OWRS team on 07718 126545.
SWOP clients, please contact the team on 01273 675526 or call 01273 696970 to speak with the reception team.
Young Oasis Therapy clients, please contact your therapist directly or call 01273 696970 to speak with the reception team.
contact: Mel Potter
email: [email protected]
phone: 07801 376158
website: https://www.oasisproject.org.uk/swop-sussex/
about: Our Sex Worker’s Outreach Project is a confidential and non-judgemental service for self identifying women and non-binary people who work as women in the sex industry. We are also offer support or advice to women engaging in transactional sex (sugar dating, sex for rent or drugs) and women who are being sexually exploited.
We can offer support advice and information on: sexual health, safety, wellbeing and help in a crisis.
We offer regular 1:1 sessions for people who would like support to make changes (health, well-being, changes to their situation) as well as referrals and advocacy.
service changes: During lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not currently offering face to face appointments. We are currently offer the following:
- Telephone or text support (9.30-5.00 pm Monday-Friday – later times can be made available by appointment if needed)
- Email support: [email protected] (Monday-Friday)
- We our assessments and 1:1 case work are via phone or video chat
We understand that if you are normally dependant on sex work as your income, this will be causing you major financial problems. During the COVID19 pandemic we offer non-judgemental support and advice if you are still having to meet up with clients. This includes:
- Help to explore different options to improve your situation, including access to benefits.
- Help with access to food
- Help and advice if you are not able to pay for gas/ electric / rent or are in debt
- Help to get advice and support around housing and homelessness
- Support or advice around safer working including privacy issues if you are doing cam work.
- Emotional support if you feel you cannot cope
- Support if you are being bullied, harassed, exploited by someone (work or personal life)
- Information on options for HIV and sexual health screening
We know that many people may be reluctant to approach services for help or to start claiming benefits, so we are happy for you to call anonymously if you need to.
contact: Madeleine Scott
email: [email protected]
phone: 01273 622828 ext. 2
website: https://www.riseuk.org.uk/get-help/about-domestic-abuse/lgbt-relationships
about: Our LGBT+ Specialist Service offers case working support to high risk LGBT+ survivors of domestic violence and abuse. Case working focuses on safety planning and advocacy to reduce the risk posed to the survivor. We also offer support and advice sessions to LGBT+ survivors of abuse who are not currently at high risk, where we can complete a one off safety planning session if required, as well as signposting to relevant support services to aid with emotional and practical recovery from abuse.
service changes: Due to Covid-19 and the current rules about social distancing, we are not currently undertaking face to face appointments with clients. All appointments are being done via telephone where safe to do, or via email if this is a safer option for the client.
email: [email protected]
about: Youth services for LGBTQ+ based in Hastings for 13 – 19 year olds.
E-mail for information, help and guidance, usual club sessions on Tuesdays 5.30pm – 7.30pm.
service changes: Access to information, advice and guidance on e-mail only, can be referred to youth workers for support.
download info: LGBT-REFERRAL-FORM-new.doc
Some-People-poster-2-2.pdf
contact: Lyndsay Macadam
email: [email protected]
website: https://www.switchboard.org.uk/
about: Switchboard is a charity for LGBTQ people looking for community, support or information. We connect people and support them directly through specially developed Switchboard services or link them to other specialist organisations.
Set up in 1975 Switchboard has been listening to, informing, and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in Brighton & Hove and beyond. Originally a helpline, we have developed additional services and now offer much more.
service changes: All of our services are operating remotely – our Helpline is operating as usual, some of our groups are meeting on zoom and other projects are currently offering remote one-to-one support.
Please contact the relevant project below for further information on any of our services and sign up to our newsletter or keep an eye on our social media for updates:
Helpline – new number: 01273 359042
LGBTQ Disability Group – meeting on Zoom every Wednesday afternoon: [email protected]
Older People’s Project – remote support via phone, text, email and, if there’s a demand, soon on Zoom: [email protected] / 07928 828897
Trans and Non-Binary Link social prescribing – confidential, one to one health & wellbeing support via video, phone, email, and text: [email protected] / 07928 830757 / Referral Form
Rainbow Cafe dementia project – one to one support via phone or email: [email protected]
Grief Encounters bereavement project: monthly Grief Meets group sessions on Zoom for wellbeing and we are exploring how best to offer the next 6-week Grief Meets sessions: [email protected]
Newsletter sign-up: Click here
contact: Marc Tweed
phone: 07826 867 250
website: https://www.tht.org.uk/centres-and-services/brighton
about: THT Brighton offers a range of services for people who are living with HIV in Brighton & Hove and West Sussex. We also offer a range of sexual health services for anyone who is LGBTQ, BME, or sex working.
service changes: Owing to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, our Brighton office is closed to the public but we’re able to offer a limited range of services.
During this time we’re still able to offer support and advice over the phone. See below for contacts.
You can also order a free HIV self test kit: https://test.tht.org.uk/
and free condoms from us: https://www.tht.org.uk/our-services/phone-and-post/order-free-condoms-post/brighton-condoms
Please follow us on Facebook for regular posts with advice and information about HIV and sexual health. @THTBrighton
Here are some useful contacts:
Counselling: 07436 108 055
HIV support and advice: 07833 555 847
HIV and STI testing information and advice: 07741 322 487
HIV welfare rights and benefits advice: 07380 651 386 (open Monday to Thursday 10am to 5pm)
West Sussex health trainer service: 07917 815 875
Work Positive: 07769 239 295
BME project: 07384 604 573
Female sex worker outreach project: 07552 739 821
Managerial and general service enquiries: 07826 867 250
For general advice, contact THT Direct on 0808 802 1221 or [email protected].
contact: Louisa Marchant-Wallis
email : [email protected]
phone: 01273 977000
website: https://www.thecarerscentre.org/ or https://carershub.co.uk/
about: Carers Inclusion Project; Now more than ever, many unpaid carers are facing increased isolation and difficulty.
If you provide unpaid support for a partner, family member, or friend with a disability, physical or mental health condition you could access further support from the Carers Centre.
We are particularly keen to reach out to you;
• If you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, or Queer+ (LGBTQ+)
• If you are from a BAME background or refugee/migrant background
• If you are from a Traveller, Gypsy or Roma backgrounds.
service changes: At this time our Inclusion worker Louisa can support with:
• Helping you to access further support in your caring role, eg Carers Card or getting a break from Caring
• Helping to access information in alternative formats if you need it
• Looking after your own mental health and wellbeing
• Ideas of activities you can do to fill the day (for you or for those you support)
• Helping you to get support for essential things like food shopping and medication.
• Signposting to other relevant organisations for advice/support
• Linking to support with technology e.g. getting online, using internet shopping, online Zoom groups
download info: Inclusion Project Poster
contact: Gray Hutchins
email: [email protected]
phone: 07464 229395
website: https://clareproject.org.uk/
about: Running since 2000, The Clare Project offers support to the transgender, non-binary, intersex and gender-variant (TNBI) adults in East Sussex. The charity provides trans-led psycho-social support, various drop-ins and workshops, and plenty of opportunities to socialise. The Clare Project also runs TNB Brighton and TNB Hastings, a monthly workshop-discussion space, and offers consultancy and training on TNBI awareness and inclusion to various sectors.
service changes: The Clare Project has taken all services online during the lockdown period, this includes:
- Tuesday Online Socials: informal get-togethers, quizzes or themed Q&A/discussion sessions with community panels;
- TNB Brighton is still operating online at the same time every third Thursday of the month, as it TNB Hastings on the second Wednesday of the month;
- We have opened a temporary TNBI Support Line (image attached) that operates 11hrs a week, for informal advice/signposting and/or a friendly chat with a community member. You can also text/whatsapp, or request a call-back at a better time.
- 1-2-1 information and/or advice sessions by appointment with a facilitator and/or worker;
- Subsidised counselling with one of our trained counselling therapists.
All services can be accessed using online platforms such as Zoom or Skype, or via telephone call and/or FaceTime. For all enquiries, please get in touch. We are working full time and will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note our services are for TNBI folk aged 18 years or older, for ages below this, please contact AllSorts Youth Project.
contact: Carolyn Ansell
email: [email protected]
phone: 01273 675445
website: https://therainbowhubbrighton.com/
about: The Rainbow Hub is an exciting space on Saint James’s Street in Brighton. The Hub is a local point of contact for LGBT+ people seeking up to date help, information or guidance, in a safe, non-judgemental environment. Our volunteers provide a welcoming drop-in space to help individuals and where necessary refer them on to one or more of our extensive network of partner organisations for further support.
We also provide a Knowledge Base – accessed via our website – which provides help and information for services and support to the LGBTQ+ community.
service changes: In order to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our clients and volunteers, we are currently unable to provide our regular scheduled drop-in service. We are offering limited telephone support from Monday to Saturday, between the hours of 2pm and 6pm. Call us on 01273 675445.
You can also get in touch with us via our social media channels:
Facebook.com/RainbowHubBrighton/
instagram.com/therainbowhubbrighton/
Additionally, you can visit our online directory with links to all our partner organisations on our website
contact: Rev. Michael Hydes
email: [email protected]
phone: 07476 667353
website: http://thevillagemcc.org/
about: We are a church that is rooted in the LGBT+ communities, serving the LGBT+ communities. Radically inclusive, all are welcome regardless of identity, gender expression, or belief.
service changes: In light of the Covid-19 pandemic services at the Somerset Day Centre have been suspended. Please join us at 6pm Facebook Live for Sunday Worship. If you haven’t used Facebook Live before then it’s easy. From 5:55 pm onward go to https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheVillageMCC/videos/
We celebrate an open communion, so if you’d like to join us then take time to prepare a candle, a glass of wine or beverage, and a piece of bread or cracker so that we can celebrate and take communion together.
Our financial aid ministry, ‘The Pickle Fund’ is available to anyone ‘in a pickle’ giving out small cash amounts, usually in the region of £20, to cover an emergency. Larger amounts are available subject to a completed application available on our website.
Spiritual care is available from the pastor and deacons via online media and the telephone, details are on the website.
contact: Alix Coe
email: [email protected]
phone: 07592 177685
website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/806846689702847
about: Addiction support group for transgender and gender non-conforming people.
service changes: Zoom meetings (contact Alix for details). Join our Facebook group to get event invitations.
contact: Rory Finn
email: [email protected]
website: https://www.transcansport.co.uk/
about: Trans Can Sport provides free and low-cost fitness activities for trans and non-binary people in Brighton and Hove. Open to all fitness levels, our sessions are designed to be fun and accessible to anyone regardless of their gender identity.
service changes: We are currently running sessions online only using Zoom. Our activities are suitable home workouts adapted with lockdown in mind. Please check our website for our activity schedule. To book on email us [email protected]