Links
The following organisations offer support that may be helpful to people who identify as LGBT+ and are older members of our community.
Local Organisations
Local LGBT+ Social Groups and Support Services
LGBT Stoke – support services for the LGBT+ community in Stoke-on-Trent.
Trans-Staffordshire – for people who are Transgender in Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire
Diversity – LGBTQ Social group with regular meetings in South Staffordshire. Contact via Diversity Facebook Group
SAGE – A Staffordshire-based charity that supports LGBT+ people, their families and friends. They also welcome people who are questioning their gender and/or sexuality.
SAND – Safe Ageing No Discrimination, campaigns for LGBT+ Rights in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Sexual Health
Staffordshire Sexual Health Charity (SSHC) – Provides support, advice, and education around sexuality, gender, HIV and sexual wellbeing within Staffordshire, to enable a greater understanding and acceptance of everyone’s differences. Offers counselling and other support for LGBT+ people at locations throughout Staffordshire
Open Clinic – website for sexual health services in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Shropshire including clinics, online testing and PrEP
Drugs and Alcohol
North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare – help to access services in the local community and in hospital for people wishing to recover from misuse of alcohol and/or drugs.
Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug & Alcohol Service – free, confidential and friendly service to adults, young people and families living across Stoke-on-Trent
Community Hospital Alcohol Team – a team specialising in support for alcohol misuse. Part of the Substance Misuse Service
Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery Service – STARS – covers all areas in Staffordshire outside city of Stoke-on-Trent
Other Local Support Services
Approach – provides specialist support and advice for older people with dementia and related health issues in North Staffordshire. Approach is a thriving, professional organisation providing a wide range of high-quality services to older people and adults who are socially disadvantaged.
Beth Johnson Foundation -manages projects and community based activities around Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire to promote positive ageing.
Brighter Futures – Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline 2pm to 2am every day of the year Call: 0808 800 2234 Text: 07860 022 821 or Instant message online at www.brighter-futures.org.uk
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Wellbeing Services – Local partnership of mental health services in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
National Organisations
National LGBT+ Organisations
Switchboard – provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email and through Instant Messaging. Their national LGBT+ helpline is open 10am to 10pm every day Call: 0800 0119 100 or Email: hello@switchboard/lgbt
Kenric – The UK’s longest running social group for women who identify as lesbian. Most members are aged 40+ and are all women – including trans women – who identify as lesbian. Members who want to try and connect with others locally can use a private Facebook Group, or put an event on the Meetup Group.
TransUnite – comprehensive resource for the UK transgender community.
LGBT Consortium – the UK’s national umbrella body for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans voluntary and community organisations. Set up in 1998, the organisation focuses on the development, support and strengthening of LGBT groups, organisations and projects so they can deliver direct services and campaign for individual rights.
LGBT Foundation –a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Stonewall – national organisation campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in the UK and everywhere
Being Gay is Okay – Helpline offering information and advice for gay, lesbian, bisexual and unsure twenty five year olds
Gay Farmers – help and support for gay farmers.
Other National Organisations
Age UK – national charity offering a wide range of help and support for older people including Advice for LGBT+ People
MIND – provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
National Pensioners Convention – The campaigning organisation for older people in the UK. There is a regional branch West Midlands Pensioners’ Convention
Samaritans – if you want someone to talk to, there is someone to listen. Samaritans won’t judge or tell you what to do. Call for free 116 123
Information
DrugRehab.Com – A web resource with two useful guides; Substance Abuse in the LGBTQ+ Community and Seniors and Addiction
Super Carers – commercial site on elderly care with FREE care guide
