Social groups, wellness and support in Greater Manchester
LGBT Foundation Women’s Programme - LGBT Foundation's Women's Programme aims to support and empower all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans women to improve their health and wellbeing, to improve skills, increase confidence and reduce isolation.
Lesbian Immigration Support Group - a group of women in Greater Manchester who support lesbian and bisexual asylum seekers and refugees.
Just Do The Thing - A DIY/Do It Together community/social group for trans women & transfems in Manchester to come together to get stuff done.
Queer Career Women - a friendly group for all LBT women to meet, socialise, network, get support, discuss workplace issues and careers, aswell as make connections. The group meet approximately once a month in central Manchester, and meetings are posted on the Facebook group and on the LGBT Foundation's Meet Up group.
Meetup: LBT+ Women in Manchester - a group to meet other LGBT women living in and around Greater Manchester. The group posts information on events, workshops and social support groups from LGBT Foundation, and other events organised by meetup hosts.
Dance OUT - fun, inclusive and beginner friendly dance classes taking place twice per month for all LGBT women and femmes.
Aged to perfection - a monthly group for older LBT women.
Queer and Trans yoga - energising morning vinyasa flow class suitable for all levels, for all LGBTQ+ people.
Misfits Mind & Body Sessions - fitness, wellbeing and self defence sessions especially for trans+ people, created by Not A Phase and powered by Nike. Sessions focus on confidence building whilst breaking down the barriers between the Trans+ community and traditional gym spaces.
LGBT Women’s Recovery Group - An LGBT Foundation self-recovery and recovery training group, every Wednesday from 6-7pm.
Lesbian and Bi Women’s Walking Group North West - A Walking group for Lesbian and Bi women in the North West.
Events and venues in Greater Manchester
Swagga Mcr
Founded by DJ Stacy Bee and nominated for Gaydio’s event of the year, Swagga Mcr is Manchester’s longest standing LGBT R&B / Dancehall night. A high energy and interactive crowd pleaser, Swagga Mcr is best known for its New and Old Skool R&B, Old Skool Garage, Dancehall and U.K Funky House vibes. It has an authentic Jamaican influence and has a unique style of featuring a variety of Artists, Dancers and Hosts whilst showcasing both Manchester based LGBTQ+ DJs and guest DJs from across the U.K.
What She Said ClubWhat She Said run exclusive events for LGBT/Queer women & femmes (and their queer friendly friends). The collective aim to promote the best up and coming, and current, female & non binary singer-songwriters, DJs & producers (queer or otherwise), and create spaces where all queer women and femmes can go to feel safe to be themselves; to not be judged; and to have fun till the early hours.
Vanilla - The Gay Village
Named ‘Best Bar in the UK’ at the DIVA awards, Vanilla is a lively and inclusive women's den situated in the heart of Manchester's Gay Village. Since opening in 1998, Vanilla has won many awards for its total dedication and commitment to the lesbian scene, not only in Manchester but throughout the UK. Vanilla has welcomed nearly one million women through its doors since opening and thousands have become lovers and friends. Come to vanilla and enjoy a myriad of events appealing to a wide range of women and their friends. Men always have been and always will be welcome. Vanilla is truly the place to be seen!
National social groups and events
Lancashire LGBT - an online group for Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans women, Queer women, and femmes - for people aged 18 upwards. The group meets via Zoom roughly every 2 weeks on Thursdays, currently alternating between afternoon and evening meets. There may also be occasional face-to-face meetups in Preston. If you’re eligible, you can register to join the group
here.
HER - An app for Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans women, Queer women, and femmes to meet, date and make friends.
Lick: Inclusive club nights in London created for women, by women.
Sapphic Society Lesbian Community - an ‘online lesbian community for all women who love women’.
Websites, resources and reading
DIVA - The world's leading magazine for LGBTQIA women and non-binary people.
Autostraddle - run by a team of progressively feminist queer and trans folks, Autostraddle is a digital publication and real life community that aim to create spaces for lesbians and queer people to be their whole selves.
Bi Community News - Britain's magazine for the bi+ community, published since 1995
Gal-dem - An online and print magazine produced by women of colour and non-binary people of colour. Gal-dem ceased publishing in March 2023, but you can still access their archive of online content.
ARTICLE:
The Guardian: Women’s Institute will ‘continue to celebrate’ transgender women
ARTICLE:
Gay Times: Lesbians being anti-trans is a lesbophobic tropeLGBTQ+ Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Services
We recognise that statistically LGBTQ+ people are at much higher risk of experiencing poor mental health, and are often faced with additional difficulties accessing mental health services and support. Thankfully, there are many incredible local and national organisations operating to ensure the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people.
Rainbow Mind is a collaborative project between Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest (Mind CHWF), and
Mind in Salford, providing a service aimed at tackling mental health issues for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.
Switchboard provides information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay, bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity. Switchboard LGBT listens to LGBT+ people, providing a lifeline and calm words to those who need them. You can get in touch on the phone, by email or through Instant Messaging. The helpline number is 0300 330 0630.
Colours Youth Network uplifts, empowers and supports young people of colour who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex (QTIPOC) aged 16-25, and encourages them to explore and celebrate who they are through meaningful connections to other young people and a team of experienced QTIPOC youth workers.
Mermaids provide a helpline and web chat service aimed at supporting transgender and gender-diverse young people up to and including the age of 19, their families, and professionals working with them. You can speak to a trained member of the Mermaids team on 0808 801 0400, Monday - Friday; 9am - 9pm.
Consortium is a membership organisation that works to support LGBTQ+ organisations and projects around the country. Use the site's
Member's Directory to find local mental health services.
Mind Out is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people that works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all LGBTQ+ communities, and to make mental health a community concern.
LGBT Foundation provides a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and + people. Their helpline is open on 0345 3 30 30 30, 9am-9pm weekdays.
Gendered Intelligence are a trans-led charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans and non-binary people.
Imaan is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) Muslims, providing an online forum where people can share experiences and ask for help.
The Proud Trust is a life saving and life enhancing organisation. They help LGBTQ+ young people to make a positive change for themselves, and their communities through empowerment. The Proud Trust offers a 'Proud Connections' instant messaging service, open 12pm – 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Mindline Trans + is an emotional and mental health support helpline for anyone identifying as transgender, non-binary or gender fluid. Their helpline is open Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 8pm - midnight on: 0300 330 5468.
Micro Rainbow runs safe houses dedicated solely to LGBTI asylum seekers and refugees. There are several ways to get in touch with Micro Rainbow, and its services such as its helpline is open for those in need of assistance.
akt supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK who are experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile or abusive environment. If you are a young person, you can refer yourself to akt's services via their website.
The Beaumont Society is a national self help body run by and for the transgender community. They work to support trans and non-binary people with their partners and families, as well as advising and training on transgender issues.
Regard is a national organisation of lesbians, gay, bisexuals, transgender and queer people who self-identify as disabled. It has created guides for disabled and older people which feature really helpful advice for food shopping and how to cope with isolation.
Mind LGBTQ provides information about mental health support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, non-binary, queer or questioning.
George House Trust provides services to people living with, and affected by, HIV. If you are in need of support, advice or information and would like to speak to someone, George House Trust run a Telephone Buddy Service. The buddy service is a 1 to 1 service for in-person and telephone appointments, and more.
R U Coming Out provides information and resources for people coming out and those who want to learn more about sexuality. There is no right or wrong way to come out, but reading about other people’s experiences can help.
Check out their resources, tips & advice on coming out.
UoM QTIPOC Society aspires to provide a safe space for queer, trans and Intersex people of colour (QTIPOC) and represent all minorities within the community.
Voda is a mental health and wellbeing app is designed by NHS psychotherapists and provides self-guided digital therapy programmes derived from mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Manchester Reform Synagogue is a progressive Jewish community in the heart of Manchester that supports people to reach their full potential whilst on the Jewish path to life.
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