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Rainbow Mind – LGBTQ+ Project
Rainbow Mind is a collaborative project between Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest and Mind in Salford, aiming to tackle mental health issues for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.
At a time when LGBTQ+ issues have never been more in the spotlight, and with a disparity between the number of LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing mental ill health and the rest of the population (the average is 1 in 4 people in any given year, but in the LGBTQ+ community can reach levels as high as 70%), Rainbow Mind hopes to address this growing need for support in key areas of the UK.
We offer a number of services through our project:
Radical Self-Care courses
These are group sessions led by our experienced LGBTQ+ practitioners, aimed at teaching mindfulness and self-care skills that are specific to the LGBTQ+ experience. These courses run for 8 weeks and offer a supportive peer environment.
1 to 1 LGBTQ+ focused counselling
These sessions are with our LGBTQ+ therapists, with 8 free sessions being offered to discuss common mental health issues such as anxiety, low mood, questioning sexual orientation and/or gender identity, relationships, and the LGBTQ+ experience in wider society.
LGBTQ+ Step 2 IAPT Service
This service is carried out by a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and on average comprises of 4-6 sessions of face-to-face or telephone-based guided self-help based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
UK-Wide Online Support Groups
We offer two online LGBTQ+ support groups:
- The Rainbow Room - A welcoming and accepting online space for young LBGTQ+ people aged 17-24 to connect, share and explore topics about mental health and wellbeing.
- Monthly Gatherings - Free monthly online spaces for being, exploring, sharing, and supporting, and open to anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+, or, for those exploring gender, sexuality, identity, and relationship diversity.
If you would like to learn more about our services, you can also email our Rainbow Mind team via northernhub@rainbowmind.org.
Manchester LGBTQ+ Resources
There are lots of LGBTQ+ organisations that are based within Greater Manchester, as well as a lot of activities and resources.
- Presented by Emma Goswell, Coming Out Stories is a locally-based podcast that will take you to one the most important moments in many people’s lives. It will perch you on sofas in suburban sitting rooms, stand you in front of officials' desks, put you at the centre of a crowd in a noisy classroom, everywhere where these conversations have happened.
- Everyone can recognise the innate human desire to love and be loved, and that’s what these stories are about.
- You can subscribe via itunes, listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Acast, or TuneIn or search for "Coming Out Stories" wherever you get your podcasts.
Below is a selection of LGBTQI+ organisations based in the local area:
- LGBT Foundation provide a wide range of support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, including a range of support groups; counselling; a befriending scheme; a sexual health programme, a substance-misuse project, and many more.
- They also have a helpline that you can call on 0345 3 30 30 30, Monday to Friday, between 10am and 6pm. Outside of these hours you can email them via helpline@lgbt.foundation for further information and support.
- 42nd Street’s Inside Out service supports young people, aged 13-25 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or questioning their gender identity and/or sexuality (LGBTQ+).
- They offer individual therapeutic support with an ‘out’ LGBTQ+ worker and deliver groups and projects throughout the year.
- A social and support group for men over 40 who identify as gay or bisexual, or who are questioning.
- The group will provide a safe, encouraging and non judgemental space for men to take part in themed discussions and activities, and also to expand their social networks away from the village environment.
- Horizon (formally Carousel) is a relaxed social group for lesbian and bisexual women and for those who are questioning their sexual orientation.
- It provides a valuable opportunity for women to come together, both in and away from the gay scene and take part in varied activities which are planned by the group themselves and range from quizzes and meals out to video evenings and discussions as well as a lot of laughs.
- The Sparkle mission is to promote a positive public image of the Trans community within the UK and beyond. Their aim is to build confidence and resilience, to develop understanding and cohesion in society and to challenge stigma.
- The National Transgender Charity organises the Sparkle Weekend celebration in July of each year. They also hold a series of events throughout the year to actively promote fundraising and Trans awareness.
- Offer support to LGBTQI people of African heritage including refugees, and wider Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups (BAME).
- ARF offers support for LGBTIQ refugees and people seeking asylum, campaigns for global LGBTIQ equality, stands against hate crimes, and supports communities who face constant harassment, and discrimination because of their sexuality and or gender identity.