LGBT charities to volunteer with in London

Volunteers’ Week is nearly here (Picture: Getty)

Volunteers’ Week is here, and if you’re thinking of supporting an LGBT+ charity in London, this could be the perfect time to join.

Pride is approaching, too, so if you’re hoping to get involved with the queer community, there’s likely a group looking for your help.

Whether it’s through fundraising or advocacy, the capital’s LGBT+ charities provide a range of support.

Read on to find out where your skills are needed.

LGBT+ charities to volunteer with in London

London Friend

Established in 1972, London Friend is the country’s oldest LGBT charity, and supports people both online and in person.

The group provides counselling, drug and alcohol support, and social events.

London Friend was established in 1972 (Picture: Getty)

Full training is available for volunteers, with positions including fundraising, admin, and advisory roles.

More information is available on the London Friend website.

Opening Doors London

Interested in supporting the older LGBT community? Opening Doors is the country’s only group that specifically provides events, information and support for the over 50s.

Membership is free to people in the age bracket, who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, non-binary or gender-fluid.

Opening Doors supports LGBTQ+ people over 50 (Picture: Getty)

Providing networking opportunities and a space to create friendships, the charity is looking for volunteers to act as advocates.

The majority of volunteers take part in the befriending service, which aims to end loneliness in the older LGBT community – find out more here.

Black Trans Alliance

The Black Trans Alliance was founded last year to provide education and empowerment across London.

The organisation is looking for volunteers to help with various parts of the charity, including:

• Marketing
• Fundraising
• PR
• Admin
• Social Media
• Website Management
• Campaigning

Their mission statement is ‘Together let’s work to make sure that black trans people are supported and fall no further into marginalisation’ – if this sounds like the group for you, get in touch here.

Bi Pride UK

Bi Pride’s mission is to create a space for people who identify as bi, bisexual, biromantic, pan, pansexual, panromantic, poly, polysexual, polyromantic, queer, fluid, heteroflexible, homoflexible, or no labels at all.

The charity works with existing Prides to ensure bi-inclusion is a priority, as well as organising a specific event for the community.

Volunteer roles currently available include Head of Fundraising, Accessibility Coordinator and Brand and Design Manager, so whatever your skills are, there’s likely to be a role for you.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

Since 1974, the Switchboard phone lines have been open from 10am till 10pm every day to listen to the concerns of LGBT+ people.

The Switchboard is a non-judgemental space to talk. (Picture: Getty)

Whether it’s a simple chat or something more serious, volunteers are committed to being supportive and informed, and provide a space to talk.

Listening volunteers are asked if they agree with the below questions – and if you do, Switchboard could be the ideal group to join.

• Do you want to give something back to the LGBT+ communities?
• Can you commit to at least six hours for Switchboard every month?
• Are you able to listen with empathy and without judging?
• Are you interested in empowering others to make decisions for themselves?

Galop

Galop has provided support, research and lobbying around the issues of LGBT+ policing for over 30 years.

Galop has been providing support to the LGBTQ+ community for over 30 years (Picture: Getty)

The group provide a vital resource for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse, hate crime, or other types of violence.

Their network can provide independent advice and advocacy, and look for ad hoc volunteers to help with projects.

For more information, take a look at their volunteer page here.

Mind Out

MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people, and those who aren’t sure how they define themselves.

Online support sessions are available via an instant chat service, allowing people to speak to advisors almost immediately.

Other services include peer mentoring and information packs, making it a diverse charity to dedicate time to.

See their website for further information about volunteering.

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Volunteers’ Week takes place 1-7 June and highlights the amazing ways people can give back and help others. To get involved click here.