Useful Links
Stoke-on-Trent LGBT+ groups
Gaylife Men's Group
Social and support group for gay and bisexual men aged 18+ in Stoke-on-Trent.
Galaxy Youth Group
Social and support group for LGBT+ young people aged 13-18 in Stoke-on-Trent.
A social group for lesbian and bi women aged 35 and over. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday in the month in Hanley
www.freewebs.com/pinklinkstoke/
A badminton club in Stoke-on-Trent for local LGBT+ people. All ages, standards and abilities are welcome.
www.stokepanthersbadminton.club
Trans Staffordshire
Social and support group for trans people living in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
www.trans-staffordshire.org.uk
North Midlands LGBT Older People's Group
The group gives people a chance to meet others and make new friends; listen to guest speakers; try new activities; exchange stories in a warm, supportive and friendly environment.
6:30pm on the fourth Monday of the month at the Community Fire Station in Hanley.
www.olgbtstoke.org.uk
LGBT+ groups in surrounding areas
Body Positive
A Cheshire charity who run a Gay and Bi Men's Group, Lesbian and Bi Women's Group and support group for people living with HIV.
Out in Cong
A weekly meet-up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, intersex, asexual, queer and non-binary folk in and around Congleton.
Every Tuesday from around 8.30pm. Location and time is decided in the Facebook group.
Find them on Facebook
XYZ Club (Shropshire)
The XYZ Youth Group is for young people (ages 13-19) who describe themselves as: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender fluid or questioning
Derbyshire LGBT+
Derbyshire’s only LGBT specific support service, supporting anyone who is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender or anyone who is having issues with their sexual orientation or gender identity, this includes family and friends. The organisation runs a number of groups.
LGBT Foundation (Manchester)
A safe and comfortable environment for people who may feel isolated, coming out or are new to the area, and some groups offer a social environment for people who want to avoid bars and clubs. There are a number of groups available to people of all ages. Held at Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF.
www.lgbt.foundation
Birmingham LGBT Centre
A wide range of independent social groups organised by LGBT people for LGBT people. So whether you’re interested in making new friends, pursuing a hobby or interest, or making your voice heard on issues that affect LGBT people, there’s a group for you.
www.blgbt.org
Local organisations
Glow offer a range of support services for people in unhealthy relationships. They work with people of all genders and ages and are an LGBT+ inclusive service. They also offer a men's support service for men in unhealthy relationships.
www.findtheglow.org.uk
Staffordshire Buddies is the HIV and Sexual Health Charity for Stoke and Staffordshire. The mission of the charity is to reduce the impact of HIV through providing support, information, advocacy and advice to those living with, or affected by, the virus, and by undertaking health promotion support to communities at risk.
www.staffordshirebuddies.co.uk
Grange Park
A centre which provides support services for people living in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who have been sexually assaulted or raped.
Savana
Stoke-on-Trent Community Drug & Alcohol Service
A service which helps people struggling with the impact of drugs or alcohol. They offer support to adults, young people, carers, partners and families who live in Stoke-on-Trent to make a positive and sustainable change to their lives and the community they live in.
LGBT+ organisations
GIRES is a volunteer operated membership charity that, in collaboration with the other groups in its field, hears, helps, empowers and gives a voice to trans and gender non-conforming individuals, including those who are non-binary and non-gender, as well as their families.
Family and individual support for teenagers and children with gender identity issues.
Switchboard LGBT+ helpline
At Switchboard we provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity. We are welcoming, confidential, supportive and non-judgemental.
UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group
The UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) supports LGBTQI+ people through the asylum and immigration process. They provide psychosocial and emotional support for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers to help improve their mental health and reduce isolation. They also provide legal information and advice.
Galop
An the LGBT+ anti-violence charity. If you’ve experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse, we’re here for you. We also support lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer people who have had problems with the police or have questions about the criminal justice system.
LGBT+ health and advice
Help and advice on coming out from Stonewall (LGBT Charity)
Visit Stonewall's website
Information on how to stay healthy from NHS England.
Visit NHS.uk
Advice and information on how to deal with homophobic and transphobic bullying from Bullying UK
Visit the Bullying UK website
Gender Identity Guides
Gender identity guide for young people
A guide developed by Galaxy for young people who are trans* (including non-binary, genderqueer and other gender identities).
View the PDF here
Gender identity guide for parents/carers
A guide developed by Galaxy for parents and carers young people who are trans* (including non-binary, genderqueer and other gender identities).
View the PDF here
Gender identity guide for professionals
A guide developed by Galaxy for professionals who work with young people.
View the PDF here
Our young people at Galaxy have also created a handbook, titled ‘Good As You’, which provides information for other young LGBT people on relationships, online safety, sexual health, mental health and ‘helpful people’.
The ‘Good As You’ handbook is available from Galaxy Youth, as well as in local libraries. If you're interested in the free handbook, contact us and let us know.
...And don't forget you can always message Gaylife on Facebook if you have any questions!
Our social groups are a fantastic way to talk to other LGBT+ people, but if you're not eligible for our groups or want to attend more around the region, here are some useful links for you to have a look through. We've also got some links to some great local organisations that might be relevant to you, national LGBT+ organisations and LGBT+ health information. Click on ont of the links below to be taken to the relevant section.
- LGBT+ groups in surrounding areas
- National LGBT+ organisations
- Gender Identity Guides (created by Galaxy Youth Team)