Resources
We have compiled a list of some of the resources that are available to help you access support, advice and community spaces.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Mindline Trans+ is an emotional and mental health support line for anyone identifying as trans, non-binary or gender variant, and their families, friends, colleagues and carers.
The phone line is open Mondays and Fridays 8pm to midnight.
Website: http://mindlinetrans.org.uk/
Phone number: 0300 330 5468
A list of free or fair-cost online wellness led by People of Colour, women, queer and trans people here
Galop have created a resource about trans resilience in isolation, available here: http://www.galop.org.uk/trans-resilience-in-isolation/
The national mental health charity MIND have published resources on Covid-19 and wellbeing: https://www.mind.org.uk/info…/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
Headspace are offering free meditations to ‘weather the storm’:
https://www.headspace.com/
ACCESSING HORMONES
Advice published by Scottish Trans Alliance:
Some people who are on injectable hormones could find that their GP practice is unable to administer the injections at the current time. If this is the case, please ask your GP to switch you onto a different preparation of your hormones that don’t require injecting – you can give your GP all of the information they need by showing them this: https://www.ngicns.scot.nhs.uk/…/Hormone-Treatment-Alternat…
This should allow them to smoothly change your prescription, but if they are still unsure they can contact one of the GICs for further advice.
HOUSING ACCESS & ADVICE
Stonewall Housing are accepting new advice case referrals via their online referral form: https://stonewallhousing.org/services/referral-form/
Their advice line is open as usual, from 10am – 1pm Monday – Friday 020 7359 5767
The Outside Project have opened up more hostel spaces as of 30th March 2020, referrals are through Stonewall Housing, via this form: https://stonewallhousing.org/services/referral-form/
StreetLink London can help you access housing if you are
sleeping rough. Contact them by phone on 0300 500 0914, or through their website www.streetlink.org.uk
Shelter provide free advice on housing and homelessness. Their helpline is open every day, 8am – 8pm weekdays, 9am – 5pm weekends.
Website: https://www.shelter.org.uk/
Phone: 0808 800 4444
EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS AND BENEFITS ADVICE
ACAS have up to date employment rights information available on their website: https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus
Turn2Us have information about Covid-19, benefits and financial aid available on their website: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/About-Us
DOMESTIC ABUSE , HATE CRIME AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT
Galop are continuing to offer support about hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse by completing their online form at http://galop.org.uk/report
Helpline: 020 7704 2040, open Monday – Friday 10am – 12.30pm / 1.30pm – 4pm
Email: help@galop.org.uk
The National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline continues to be open:
Monday-Friday 10am – 5pm
Wednesday to Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Telephone: 0800 999 5428
London Friend’s specialist domestic abuse counselling service is open to referrals for video or telephone counselling (though it is operating a waiting list). You can self-refer via the London LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership here: http://lgbtdap.org.uk/
DRUG AND ALCOHOL SUPPORT
Drink and Drugs News have published advice on drug use and Covid-19 here:
https://drinkanddrugsnews.com/coronavirus-advice/
Antidote drug and alcohol support at London Friend is accepting new referrals via email: antidote@londonfriend.org.uk
To support yourself at home, Antidote have created some resources on their website to help you make changes from home, support yourself at difficult times, and links to their drug & alcohol harm reduction information: https://londonfriend.org.uk/antidote-home-care/
COMMUNITY
Opening Doors London offer a telephone befriending service for LGBT+ people aged over 50 who would like to receive a weekly phone call. They are currently taking referrals by email befriending@openingdoorslondon.org.uk and phone call 020 7239 0400.
The Outside Project is running online socials and events in their virtual community space every day here: https://sites.google.com/view/lgbtiqvirtual
More information here: https://www.facebook.com/TheOutsideProject/
Gendered Intelligence has moved their Youth Groups online. To join or find out more email youthwork@genderedintelligence.co.uk with the subject ‘ONLINE YOUTH GROUPS’. Include your name, age, whereabouts you live in the country and if you are ok with being phone by a GI youth worker to first of all check-in and find out your needs for being involved, include your mobile number. You don’t have to send any details at first if you just want to ask us a question.
SEX WORKER SUPPORT
SWARM sex worker collective have set up an emergency fund for UK sex workers impacted by Covid-19. You can access the fund by sending them an email to contact@swarmcollective.org or a message on twitter @sexworkhive or instagram @swarmhive.
National Ugly Mugs provide free updates about dangerous punters: https://uglymugs.org/um/
Telephone: 0161 629 9861, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Email: admin@uglymugs.org
IMMIGRATION ADVICE
Free Movement are publishing regularly updated simple and clear information regarding Covid-19 and the UK Immigration System available here: https://www.freemovement.org.uk/coronavirus/
SEX AND COVID-19
Prepster have published guides on sex and Covid-19: https://prepster.info/covid/
GENERAL LISTENING AND ADVICE
The London LGBT+ Switchboard helpline is offers listening and advice over phone and email.
Phone: 0300 330 0630, 10am – 10pm every day
Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt
The Samaritans listening service can be reached at any time.
Website: www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123