Directory of services, organisations and groups
We have listed services, organisations and groups in Redbridge, London and beyond. Contact us if you would like us to include your organisation in this list or if any of the information needs updating
Crisis support
Redbridge Rainbow is a small part-time team, so we cannot always respond immediately. If you are experiencing a crisis or would like to speak to someone urgently, these services offer support:
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or negative thoughts, contact Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ helpline - 0800 0119 100 switchboard.lgbt/contact-us
If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, call Mental Health Direct 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - 0800 995 1000 or NHS 111 - Option 2
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call Samaritans for free. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will give you free, confidential, and non-judgmental emotional support - 116 123 (free from any phone) jo@samaritans.co.uk
If you are at immediate risk of physical harm because of mental health concern or feel like you need immediate assistance – call the Police on 999 or visit your local A&E
The Redbridge Recovery Hub at the Ilford Engagement Hub, Jubilee Gardens, Ilford Lane, IG1 2HX every weekday 5-9pm and virtually at weekends 2-6pm. You can self-refer by calling the hub or walking in during opening hours - 020 3031 6501 redbridge.recoveryhub@hestia.org
Shout Crisis Text Line is a 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. If you text ‘Switchboard’, Shout’s volunteers will be aware that you may need support around sexuality and/or gender identity - 85258
ELOP, an LGBTQ+ mental health charity, can work with you to develop a safety plan - 020 8509 3898 mentalhealth@elop.org
To access an urgent GP appointment in Redbridge call NHS 111 at any time, seven days a week.
LGBTQ+ events in Redbridge and beyond
Redbridge Rainbow events throughout the year
The Barking and Dagenham Adult Social Network meets 7 - 9pm every Monday.
Epping Forest Pride meet in Loughton at 7.30pm every first Friday of the month.
elop’s Rainbow Families Meet-up takes place at 2.30 - 4.30pm every the fourth Sunday of the month at Leytonstone Children and Family Hub.
You can also search for LGBTQ+ events on eventbrite, Meetup and outsavvy.
Local, London and Essex
Basildon Pride - community outreach, charity fundraising, social events and more
East London LGBT Seniors - Social group and support for older LGBTQ+ people, partners and supporters
Elop - offers a range of social, emotional and support services to LGBT communities including counselling, mental health support, activities, befriending, youth groups, youth mentoring and training
Enfield LGBT Network - supports LGBT+ people in Enfield, including the ‘Proud North London’ social and support group for young people aged 11 – 25
Epping Forest LGBTQIA - a social, support, event and wellbeing group in the Epping Forest District.
FindOut – provides a searchable map of LGBTQ+ services across London
Forest Gayte Pride - educational, cultural and civic activities to enrich the lives of LGBTQIA+ people in Newham and beyond
LGBT+ Barking and Dagenham Adult Social Network - evening socials for LGBT+ adults in Barking and Dagenham
London Friend – supports the health and wellbeing of London’s LGBTQ+ community
London International Lesbians Meetup - connecting lesbians and queer women
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre - a sober, intersectional community centre and café for all LGBTQ+ people
Micro Rainbow - supports LGBTQI asylum seekers and refugees
Mind in Newham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets – provides adult peer support and suicide prevention services
One Place East - promotes equality and inclusion for disabled people, people with lived experience of mental health problems, long term conditions and people with a learning disability and Autism
Queer Newham - aims to raise awareness on gender equality and support the well-being of the LGBTQA+ community in Newham
Queeroes East - social meet up group for Queeroes in E6 /E7/ E12/ E13/ E16/ IG1/ IG11!
Queer Pot Luck - queer pot lucks dinners across London
Redbridge Carers Support Service - offers trust, support, engagement and empowerment to carers
Spectra - offers peer-based services to under-served communities, including trans people
Stonewall Housing – supports LGBTQ+ people facing or experiencing homelessness, or living in an unsafe home
Switchboard – provides a listening service for LGBT+ people by phone (10am-10pm every day), email and online
Thurrock LGBT+ Network - supports LGBTQ+ people, their families and allies in Thurrock and surrounding areas
Via - provides free and confidential advice, care and support on alcohol or drug use for adults in Redbridge
Being ourselves
African Rainbow Family – supports LGBTIQ people of African heritage and the wider Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic groups
Black Trans Alliance - supports black trans and non-binary people in London and the wider community
British Asian LGBTI - supports British South Asian LGBTI people
Deaf Rainbow UK - provides a safe and supportive space for the Deaf LGBTIQA+ community
Gendered Intelligence - increases understanding of gender diversity and supports trans people
GIN (Gay Indian Network) – supports the LGBTQIA community of Indian origin and their friends and allies
Hidayah – supports the needs of LGBTQI+ Muslims
Imaan – supports LGBTQ Muslims through events and an online community
Keshet UK – supports Jewish LGBT+ people
MindOut – provides confidential, non-judgmental and anonymous online support every day, including trans and non-binary online support workers available every Saturday 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Naz - works to address sexual health inequalities in Black, Brown and Global Majority communities
Naz and Matt Foundation - supports LGBTQI+ individuals, their friends and family to work towards resolving challenges linked to sexuality or gender identity, particularly where religion is heavily influencing the situation
One Body One Faith - enables LGBT+ Christians and advocates for change within the church
Persian LGBT - welcomes and supports LGBT asylum seekers and refugees
RainbOs - LGBTQ+ supporters group from Leyton Orient Football Club
Reengage Rainbow Call Companion - a free telephone befriending service for LGBT+ people aged 75+
Regard - provides advice and support, campaigns, and combats social isolation for LGBTQI+ disabled people
Sarbat Sikhs - supports LGBT+ Silkhs
The Suryan Collective - supports and represents South Asian LGBTQ+ people in the Midlands, London and online.
Traveller Pride - a network that provides guidance, support and information to make life easier for LGBT+ Travellers
Young people
Albert Kennedy Trust - supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment
elop - runs a youth service for young people including groups and mentoring
galop - provides free, confidential and independent support for LGBT+ young people aged 13 to 25 who are experiencing or worried about abuse
Just Like Us - works with schools and young people across the UK to make sure that LGBT+ young people thrive
Kaleidoscope - free social club for 17 - 24 years olds in Havering
Mermaids - supports trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families
Mosaic Trust - supports, educates and inspires young LGBT+ people and those around them
Sexual health
BeWize - free and confidential sexual health and relationship support for young people aged 15-25 in Redbridge
BRHUT Sexual Health Services - Sexual health services in Barking, Havering and Redbridge
56 Dean Street - sexual health clinic in London that focuses on the needs of the LGBTQI+ community
Free HIV test kit - free HIV test kits are available to anyone over 16 in England
Positive East - offers a comprehensive and holistic range of HIV support and prevention services
Prepster - provides information and education on PrEP and works to increase access
Community safety
Galop - supports LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence
Metropolitan Police - report a hate crime via an online form
Railway Guardian - app to report crimes or concerns on the rail network to the British Transport Police
Redbridge Council - support for people who have experienced or experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence
StreetSafe - report where you feel unsafe in public
Stop Hate UK - a national organisation working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity
Zoteria - app to report LGBTQ+ hate crimes
Getting active
Alpha Dancers - dance classes for the queer community and allies
Benders Defenders - a queer and trans martial arts and self defense community empowerment movement
Cycle Out London - all-inclusive cycling club for the LGBTQIA+ community and friends
East End Phoenix FC - East London's LGBT-friendly, equal opportunities football club
GAYNS - free Saturday morning running club (London Bridge)
Goslings London - badminton club for LGBT+ players and their friends
Ishigaki Jujitsu - martial arts club for LGBTQ+ people and allies
Knockout Boxing - a nonprofit boxing club for London's LGBTQ+ community & friends.
London Cruisers Basketball Club - open to lesbian, bisexual, trans women and non binary people
Meetup - there are a number of LGBTQ+ walking and activity groups in London
Out to swim - an aquatics club for LGBTQ+ people and allies
Pride Sports - directory of local LGBT+ sports club
Proud Sports - sporting activities and cultural events tailored for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies
Rainbow Nation Dance Academy - runs various performing arts and fitness classes
Smash Hits Badminton - an LGBT+ badminton club