LGBT Foundation, Manchester UK

LGBT Foundation, Manchester UK

Need support? We’re here if you need us.

LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. We also work with healthcare and other professionals to help make public services more accessible and inclusive for LGBT communities.

Below you can find out about our wide range of support services for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people, which are delivered by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

Whatever your needs, we are here to support you. If you cannot find the information you are looking for please get in touch with us – call Tel: 0345 3 30 30 30 or email info@lgbt.foundation

Working together, we are changing LGBT lives for the better and securing a safe, equal and healthy future for all lesbian, gay, bi and trans people.

We can all agree that a chat over a brew is one of life’s greatest simple pleasures, but not everyone always has someone to do this with regularly. Our telephone befriending programme Rainbow Brew Buddies aims to reduce loneliness for LGBT people across Greater Manchester.

How does Rainbow Brew Buddies work?

Those who sign up for the service will be allocated a buddy, who will have received training from LGBT Foundation and have passed a DBS check. Some of our buddies have lived experience as an LGBT person, and some are LGBT allies. You will then “get-together” over the phone with them for a brew and a chat at least once a week for around 30 minutes. After 8 sessions over two months you will graduate from the programme and be given access to our range of LGBT Foundation groups, including the chance to meet others who have benefited from the Brew Buddies programme.

A third of older people calling LGBT Foundation’s helpline discussed feelings of isolation and a desire to meet others. In response, our ‘Come OUT with us’ campaign tackles social isolation and exclusion. The campaign offers a range of events and safe spaces where over-50s can come together, socialise, and learn new skills.

Pride in Ageing

Launched by Sir Ian McKellen in June 2019, Pride in Ageing has already made huge strides in helping to ensure that Greater Manchester becomes one of the best places for LGBT people to grow older. This programme was set up in response to concerns that too many lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people over the age of 50 are living in isolation and facing discrimination as a direct result of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Laws change but attitudes can be harder to shift.

The initiative is ensuring that the voices of LGBT people over the age of 50 are heard when it comes to ageing policy and activity in Greater Manchester, with an advisory group of 18 LGBT community members at the heart of the project. The views of LGBT people in mid and later life are now also directly informing the services and support we deliver as an organisation.