Help & Support

Below you will find a list of useful resources we recommend


Sexual Health

Testing & Treatment is by far the best way of managing your sexual health, for sexually active adults the recommendation would be to get tested every 3 months, but as a minimum you should get tested once a year. Find out more:

Find a sexual health clinic

Testing in London – https://shl.uk
Testing in England – https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health/find-a-sexual-health-clinic


Testing in Wales – https://111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices/?pc=n&s=SexualHealth&sort=default


Testing in Scotland – https://www.sexualhealthscotland.co.uk/get-help/sexual-health-service-finder


Testing in Northern Ireland – https://www.sexualhealthni.info/genitourinary-medicine-gum-clinics


MPox

MonkeyPox in 2022 over 2000 cases of MonkeyPox was confirmed in gay man. The outbreak was cantered on London. It’s usually a mild illness that settles on its own, but it can sometimes become more serious.

Find out more – https://mpx.shl.uk/
Get Vaccinated – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mpox/find-a-mpox-vaccination-site/


PrEP

PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, in simple terms, its a pill that when taken correctly; by somebody who does not have HIV; is effective in stopping HIV transmission.

PrEP is most commonly taken as a once-a-day-pill.

This is usually taken as a combination of two drugs in one pill – tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) (sometimes referred to by its original patented name of Truvada). This is one of the same pills commonly taken by someone with HIV as an HIV treatment. A new pill version of PrEP, using a slightly different formulation of drug – tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and emtricitabine (FTC) – has recently been introduced. This is usually referred to by its patented name of Descovy. Descovy is not licensed for PrEP in most parts of the world.

Find out more – https://prepster.info/faq/
Get PrEP – https://www.iwantprepnow.co.uk/prep-on-the-nhs/


They offer a comprehensive and holistic range of HIV support and prevention services

HIV/STI testing

We offer rapid and confidential HIV testing across east London and provide sexual health information

Peer Support/Peer Mentoring

Our Peer Support and Peer Mentoring programme creates informal way of sharing experiences and knowledge

Workshops/Groups

We offer a range of support groups and workshops to help you live well with HIV

Counselling

Our Counselling and Psychotherapy Service provides free and confidential one-to-one support around a wide range of difficulties and issues.

Re:Assure

Our specialist programme for HIV positive women who are asylum seekers or refugees and who have experienced violence or trauma.

Info and Advice

Information around HIV related issues, including benefit advice, housing issues and employment law.

Mental Health


https://lgbt.foundation/ – The LGBT Foundation offers information, advice, and support services, including a Talking Therapies Programme to LGBT people.


https://mind.org.uk/ – Mind – Get useful information about mental health support or people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Non-Binary, Queer or Questioning.


https://pinktherapy.com/ – Pink Therapy has an online directory of therapists who work with people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Non-Binary, Queer or Questioning (LGBTIQ); and people who are gender and sexual-diverse (GSD)


https://stonewall.org.uk/ – Find mental health services near you using Sontewall’s “What’s in my area?” Search box.


https://switchboard.lgbt/ – Switchboard provides a listening service for LGBT+ People over the phone, via email and online chat. It can provide you with contact details of an LGBT-Friendly therapist. Or advice on STIs and mental illness.

Help with Drugs


https://ukna.org

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

NA Have run a number of meetings every day in the UK and Ireland. There are LGBTQ+ Meetings You do not need to book an appointment to attend a meeting, you just turn up.

If using drugs is causing problems in your life NA can help.  NA exists solely so that its members can support each other to stay drug free and to help others achieve and maintain a drug free recovery and lifestyle.

NA is free, it costs nothing to attend our meetings.

https://tinyurl.com/LGBTQ-NA-MEETINGS

Maybe you have already heard something about NA, or this is your first look at NA. Either way we welcome you to come along to a meeting, meet other recovering addicts, and find out for yourself if we have something to offer you.

A desire to stop using, a willingness to change and a little effort in attending meetings will get you off to a good start.

https://meetings.ukna.org/meeting/na-queer-stay


https://www.crystalmeth.org.uk

Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) UK is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope, so that they may solve their common problem, and help others to recover from, addiction to crystal meth. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using. 

There are no fees for CMA membership and we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Our primary purpose is to lead a sober life and to carry the message of recovery to the crystal meth addict who still suffers. 

We are a support group for anyone recovering from drug addiction.

https://www.crystalmeth.org.uk/find-a-meeting


LONDON FRIEND

Since 1972, LGBTQ people have been coming together as London Friend to support the health and wellbeing of others within our communities. Most of these were (and still are today) dedicated volunteers, whose actions continue to provide help that is missing from mainstream services, and we’re incredibly proud to be celebrating a phenomenal 50 years of London Friend in 2022

Antidote is the UK’s only LGBT run and targeted drug and alcohol support service. Set up in 2002, we work with both drug and alcohol users and healthcare professionals. We’re here to give non-judgemental free advice and support delivered by highly trained staff and volunteers – all of whom identify as LGBT, and who have a good understanding of the pressures and problems that come with recreational drug or alcohol use.

https://londonfriend.org.uk


CONTROLLING CHEMSEX.

Of course, when someone is struggling with chemsex, making changes can be scary and it may require courage, but don’t forget one thing: you are not alone if you don’t want to be. We provide free professional chemsex support, and we have been helping thousands of people having problems with this phenomenon for many years. We can assure that lots of them today are in a completely different place than where they were when they contacted us, the place where they wanted to be.

There is life after chemsex, there is hope for you, and happiness is still an option. Precisely because we have also been there, we are here to bring a message full of hope of a brighter tomorrow, and we are here to support you… as much as we can.

This is a fact and we can promise you this:

https://www.controllingchemsex.com/

GAY MEN’S HEALTH COLLECTIVE

We are a group of queer gay men who wanted relatable health and well-being stuff in one place so we built MENRUS.CO.UK – a health and wellbeing website with support for the wider LGBTQ+ community. Referred to as a gay-Wikipedia”, the website is made up of six sections: YOU, MEN, BODY, SEX, STIs, and DRUGS with 285,000 words, 800+ topics and 15,000+ links to help, support, and further reading. Some of the most visited topics include Get out and activeMental health supportSafer chemsexBottom shamingGetting tested for Hepatitis C, and Your rights on arrest

61 Mansell Street, London E1 8AN
07791 867885


Useful Links

Drugs Services:

https://www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk/other-services/chemsex-support/useful-links/


DRUG WATCH LGBTQ+

Members of the LGBTQ+ community have unique and complex health needs that heterosexuals don’t face. Health disparities and barriers to care can make staying healthy challenging, but knowing LGBTQ+ health risks can ensure you stay on top of your health. Local and national resources can help you prevent or treat these health conditions with the right medical testing, care and support.

https://www.drugwatch.com/health/lgbtq/

In Emergency Situations


Recovery Position – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/first-aid/recovery-position/

Chem Sex First Aid – https://www.davidstuart.org/chemsex-first-aid

CHEMS & CHEMSEX

DEAN STREET

We’re here if you use chems for sex and want some support.
Anyone already registered with us can book an initial 20 minute phone assessment with one of our expert team.
Call our appointments line on 020 3315 5656.
A safe confidential space is provided to consider;

· Risk reduction (e.g. GBL dependency or overdose and Crystal meth & mental health)
· Reducing chems use.
· Stopping chems.
· Support with relapse prevention.

We offer in house short term work and referral to specialist groups and services.

HOUSING


Get Help

We support thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) people in the UK every year. All of our services are free and confidential.

If you’re LGBTQ+, facing or experiencing homelessness, or living in an unsafe home please reach out to us today. We can help you.

Free housing-related advice on our helpline, open every weekday 10:00 – 13:00. Call 0800 6 404 404.

We have a specialist mental health advocate who supports people with their mental health.

We offer specialist support for people fleeing domestic abuse, forced marriage or so-called honour-based violence.

Fill in a referral form by using the ‘Self Referral’ button and one of our team will contact you. If you’re from an agency and referring someone else, use the Agency Referral Form.


our mission is to secure safe homes and better futures for lgbtq+ people aged 16-25

We exist to give LGBTQ+ young people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness or a hostile living environment the support they need to thrive. We do what we do because LGBTQ+ young people deserve safety and acceptance. For as long as LGBTQ+ young people are subject to hostility, exclusion and insecurity, our services will be vitally needed.

we’re here to help. get the support you need now

We support LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness, or living in a hostile environment. Our centres are based in London, Manchester, Bristol and Newcastle, and we offer remote support to those living elsewhere in the country.

I NEED A BED TONIGHT

NIGHTSTOP

get matched with a nightstop volunteer

Contact your local Nightstop who may be able to match you with a trained host.

Find your nearest Nightstop service, or contact us on nightstopuk@depaulcharity.org.uk or 020 7939 1220.

SHELTER

ask shelter for advice

Call Shelter, the UK-wide homelessness charity for legal advice and advocacy

Find out where to get the right advice Helpline 0808 800 4444 our helpline is free

Find your local council

contact your local council

Find out whether your local council can help you find safe accommodation.


Micro Rainbow

Micro Rainbow’s vision is to create a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people are free from discrimination, persecution and have equal opportunities in life, including in accessing employment, training, education, financial services, healthcare, housing, places of faith, and public services. We do this by:

  • Providing safe housing to LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees
  • Facilitating access to employment, volunteering, training and education for LGBTQI refugees through our moving on programme
  • Providing social inclusion activities to reduce the extreme isolation faced by LGBTQI people