Rainbow Health and Care
Tackling health inequalities for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge
Tackling health inequalities project (2025 - 26)
We are working work with local health and care services to ensure support is available, accessible and inclusive to help to address health inequalities for LGBTQ+ people. As part of this work we are offering:
Free online LGBTQ+ awareness sessions for health and care providers in Redbridge
We are offering free online LGBTQ+ awareness sessions to people working in health and care services. These compact and engaging online sessions will provide an update on key issues for LGBTQ+ people, language, good practice ideas, as well as a safe space to ask any questions and identify actions to take following the session. The upcoming dates and booking pages for the sessions are:
If you cannot make these dates, please do get in touch still as we can arrange further sessions at other times, either online or face-to-face. We are also happy to attend team meetings or other meetings and can adapt the session to fit to the time available. Contact Simon Shaw on info@redbridgerainbowcommunity.org.uk or 0203 336 3766.
Rainbow health and care: Focus on asexuality with Yasmin Benoit, Monday 20 October 12– 1pm, online
We are also hosting a series of online sessions for health and care professionals exploring some specific issues or groups within the LGBTQ+ community. Our 2024 research report identified that health and care professionals would like to learn more about asexuality. So we are very pleased that acclaimed researcher and activist Yasmin Benoit will be our guest speaker at our upcoming online session. The session will include a conversation between Yasmin and Simon Shaw from Redbridge Rainbow, followed by a chance for attendees to ask their own questions. Book your free ticket
Rainbow health and care: Focus on trans+ people, Weds 19 November 11am-12pm, online
The session will explore some of the key issues that trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people can face when accessing health and care, as well as good practice and where to seek further information and resources. The session will include a presentation from local trans health advocate Kit Willson, followed by a chance for attendees to ask their own questions (the event registration form also include an option to ask questions anonymously). Book your free ticket.
Creative health meet-ups for LGBTQ+ people
Alongside this work with local services, we are also running creative health sessions for local LGBTQ+ people to address physical and mental health inequalities. See our events page to find out more.
This project is supported by the NHS North East London Integrated Care Board.
The experiences of LGBTQ+ people accessing health and care services in Redbridge (2024 report)
There is a gap in understanding of the health and social care experiences of LGBTQ+ Redbridge residents. Evidence indicates that LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of having poorer outcomes across multiple health and care issues, yet little is known about the situation in Redbridge. In the first half of 2024, we ran a rapid research project to explore LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of health and care services, as well as the perspectives of health and care workers.
LGBTQ+ specific issues highlighted by the research included challenges around sharing LGBTQ+ identities, mixed visibility and clarity around LGBTQ+ inclusion, assumptions and misconceptions, apparent variability in levels of training, awareness or comfort, as well as some specific gaps in services for LGBTQ+ people and concerns about whether care services are future-proofed for LGBTQ+ inclusion. The report also includes advice on action planning, top tips for working with LGBTQ+ people and a glossary of common LGBTQ+ terms.
This project was supported by a grant from Healthwatch Redbridge’s Community Cash Fund.
This six-minute presentation summarises some of the key findings and the resources available within the report.