Support & Information
Whether you're looking for support for yourself, a friend, or a family member, there are many organisations ready to help. Below you'll find a range of national and local services covering mental health, identity, abuse, and crisis support.
In an emergency
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent medical or mental health support, call NHS 111 and select option 2, or visit your nearest A&E.
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
A safe space to talk about anything related to sexuality and gender identity - from relationships to mental health and everything in between.
Call: 0800 0119 100 (10am–10pm, every day)
switchboard.lgbt
Mermaids
Supporting trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995.
Call: 0808 801 0400 (Mon–Fri 1pm–8:30pm)
mermaidsuk.org.uk
Samaritans
Free, confidential emotional support for anyone struggling to cope — whatever you're going through, whenever you need it.
Call: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
samaritans.org
LGBT Foundation Helpline
Friendly, non-judgemental support covering mental health, coming out, isolation, and gender identity.
Call: 0345 3 30 30 30 (Mon–Fri 9am–8:30pm, weekends 10am–5:30pm)
Email: helpline@lgbt.foundation
lgbt.foundation
MindOut
A mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people, offering online chat support, counselling, advocacy and peer support groups.
Call: 0300 772 9855
Online chat: Mon–Wed 3–5pm
mindout.org.uk
Childline
Free, confidential support for children and young people up to the age of 19, on any issue at any time.
Call: 0800 1111 (free, 24/7)
childline.org.uk
LGBT Foundation - Greater Manchester & Cheshire
The LGBT Foundation is one of the UK's largest LGBTQ+ charities, serving over 40,000 people every year across Greater Manchester & Cheshire. Services include mental health support, sexual health, domestic abuse support, trans advocacy, and community programmes.
lgbt.foundation
Galop
The LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. Supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, and conversion therapy.
Call: 0800 999 5428 (Mon–Tue 9:15am–8pm, Wed–Fri 9:15am–4:30pm)
Email: help@galop.org.uk
galop.org.uk
PAPYRUS HOPELINE247
Confidential suicide prevention support for anyone under 35, available around the clock, every day of the year.
Call: 0800 068 4141 (24/7)
Text: 88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
papyrus-uk.org
Contact details verified June 2026. We recommend checking each organisation's website directly for the most up-to-date information.