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LGBTQ+ Care Leavers

Being a care leaver can sometimes feel lonely or overwhelming. If you are LGBTQ+ — lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, queer, questioning, or exploring your identity — you may face extra challenges too.

You deserve to feel safe, respected and accepted for who you are.

If you are LGBTQ+, you might face extra challenges when moving into independence.

This can include:

  • not having support from family
  • feeling unsafe or unsupported in housing
  • being at higher risk of homelessness

You are not alone. There are organisations and people who understand your experiences and are here to support you.

You Have the Right To:

  • Be treated with dignity and respect
  • Be addressed by your chosen name and pronouns
  • Feel safe in your home, college, workplace and community
  • Access healthcare and emotional wellbeing support
  • Talk openly about your identity without fear of discrimination
  • Receive support that understands your experiences as both a care leaver and an LGBTQ+ young person

If you experience discrimination or feel unsafe, speak to your Personal Adviser or another trusted professional.

What support is available

You can get help with:

  • Finding safe and suitable housing
  • Money and emergency support
  • Meeting other LGBTQ+ young people
  • Advice and someone to talk to
  • Building confidence and independence

Support is available to help you build a safe and positive future.

Talk to your Personal Advisor

If you need help:

  • Your Personal Advisor can help you contact support services
  • They can help you find safe housing and support
  • They can go with you to events or appointments if needed

Expand the boxes below to find out more.

Sexuality describes how you express yourself in a sexual way. Part of your sexuality is your sexual orientation, which refers to who you’re attracted to, want to have sex with and fall in love with. You might also want to date both genders or you might not be interested in either or having a relationship at all.  Or you might be confused about how you feel all together, if you do, don't worry, some people know from an early age and some may not know until they are older and more comfortable with themselves. 

Advice on Coming Out

Some people are really confident at displaying their sexuality but it's not easy for everyone, however there are loads of different organisations throughout Hampshire and Nationally that can offer support, information and groups of like-minded people.

For links to these organisations, see the 'organisations that can support you' section below.

Sexuality describes how you express yourself in a sexual way. Part of your sexuality is your sexual orientation, which refers to who you’re attracted to, want to have sex with and fall in love with. You might also want to date both genders or you might not be interested in either or having a relationship at all.  Or you might be confused about how you feel all together, if you do, don't worry, some people know from an early age and some may not know until they are older and more comfortable with themselves. 

Advice on Coming Out

Some people are really confident at displaying their sexuality but it's not easy for everyone, however there are loads of different organisations throughout Hampshire and Nationally that can offer support, information and groups of like-minded people.

For links to these organisations, see the 'organisations that can support you' section below.

Some LGBTQ+ care leavers experience:

  • Loneliness or isolation
  • Anxiety or low mood
  • Rejection from family or friends
  • Bullying, discrimination or hate incidents
  • Worries about identity, relationships or acceptance

You are not alone, and support is available.

You can:

  • Speak to your GP
  • Talk to your Personal Adviser
  • Access counselling or mental health support
  • Contact LGBTQ+ support organisations for advice and peer support

Visit our mental health section to find out more about the support available for your mental health.

Some LGBTQ+ care leavers experience:

  • Loneliness or isolation
  • Anxiety or low mood
  • Rejection from family or friends
  • Bullying, discrimination or hate incidents
  • Worries about identity, relationships or acceptance

You are not alone, and support is available.

You can:

  • Speak to your GP
  • Talk to your Personal Adviser
  • Access counselling or mental health support
  • Contact LGBTQ+ support organisations for advice and peer support

Visit our mental health section to find out more about the support available for your mental health.

Everyone deserves somewhere safe to live.

If you feel unsafe where you are living because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, tell your Personal Adviser or social worker as soon as possible. We will listen and help you explore safe options.

You should never feel pressured to hide who you are in order to feel safe.

Everyone deserves somewhere safe to live.

If you feel unsafe where you are living because of your sexual orientation or gender identity, tell your Personal Adviser or social worker as soon as possible. We will listen and help you explore safe options.

You should never feel pressured to hide who you are in order to feel safe.

If you are trans, non-binary or questioning your gender identity, you may want support with:

  • Changing your name or pronouns
  • Accessing healthcare
  • Updating identification documents
  • Finding supportive communities
  • Talking to professionals about your identity

Your identity will be respected.

You can talk to your Personal Adviser about what support you need and what feels right for you.

If you are trans, non-binary or questioning your gender identity, you may want support with:

  • Changing your name or pronouns
  • Accessing healthcare
  • Updating identification documents
  • Finding supportive communities
  • Talking to professionals about your identity

Your identity will be respected.

You can talk to your Personal Adviser about what support you need and what feels right for you.

You have the right to feel safe and included in education, training and employment.

If you experience discrimination at college, university, training or work because you are LGBTQ+, support is available.

Speak to:

  • Your Personal Adviser
  • A tutor or trusted member of staff
  • HR or student support services
  • An LGBTQ+ organisation

You have the right to feel safe and included in education, training and employment.

If you experience discrimination at college, university, training or work because you are LGBTQ+, support is available.

Speak to:

  • Your Personal Adviser
  • A tutor or trusted member of staff
  • HR or student support services
  • An LGBTQ+ organisation

Having people around you who understand and support you is important.

There are LGBTQ+ groups, youth organisations and online communities where you can:

  • Meet other young people
  • Build confidence
  • Make friends
  • Get advice and support
  • Take part in social activities and events

You do not have to go through things on your own.

Local LGBTQ+ support groups and services to help you find a community

Breakout Youth

  • For young people aged 11–25
  • Runs groups across Hampshire (including Southampton, Basingstoke, Andover and the New Forest)

Beyond Reflections

  • Supports trans, non-binary and questioning people
  • Based in Southampton, with support across Hampshire

Y Services (LGBTQ+ youth groups)

  • Local groups for young people in areas like Gosport and Fareham

Hampshire Trans+ Network

  • A community group run by and for trans people
  • Based in Winchester

Other local support

You deserve to feel safe and accepted

There are people and places in Hampshire where you can be yourself.

Having people around you who understand and support you is important.

There are LGBTQ+ groups, youth organisations and online communities where you can:

  • Meet other young people
  • Build confidence
  • Make friends
  • Get advice and support
  • Take part in social activities and events

You do not have to go through things on your own.

Local LGBTQ+ support groups and services to help you find a community

Breakout Youth

  • For young people aged 11–25
  • Runs groups across Hampshire (including Southampton, Basingstoke, Andover and the New Forest)

Beyond Reflections

  • Supports trans, non-binary and questioning people
  • Based in Southampton, with support across Hampshire

Y Services (LGBTQ+ youth groups)

  • Local groups for young people in areas like Gosport and Fareham

Hampshire Trans+ Network

  • A community group run by and for trans people
  • Based in Winchester

Other local support

You deserve to feel safe and accepted

There are people and places in Hampshire where you can be yourself.

Pride events are a chance to celebrate who you are, meet people, and feel part of a community.

Portsmouth Pride

  • 📍 Southsea Common

Winchester Pride

  • 📍 Winchester city centre

Southampton Pride

  • 📍 Guildhall Square
  • One of the biggest events in the area, with:
    • Parade through the city
    • Live music and performances
    • Community groups and stalls

Pride events are a chance to celebrate who you are, meet people, and feel part of a community.

Portsmouth Pride

  • 📍 Southsea Common

Winchester Pride

  • 📍 Winchester city centre

Southampton Pride

  • 📍 Guildhall Square
  • One of the biggest events in the area, with:
    • Parade through the city
    • Live music and performances
    • Community groups and stalls

Become Charity

·     Provides advice and information, tailored support for LGBTQ+ care leavers and a LGBTQ+ Youth in Care Network, where young people can share their views and help improve services

Care Leaver Covenant

·     Provides help with jobs and training, education opportunities and support with independent living.

akt

·     Supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–25 who are facing homelessness or unsafe housing.

Mermaids

·     Support for trans and gender-diverse young people and their families.

The Proud Trust

·     Offers groups, youth work and resources for LGBTQ+ young people.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

·     Confidential listening support and information.

Consortium

This membership organisation work to support LGBT+ organisations and projects around the country. Use the site's Member's Directory to find local mental health services.

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation offers information, advice, and support services, including a Talking Therapies Programme to LGBT people.

Mind LGBTQ

Get information about mental health support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, non-binary, queer or questioning (LGBTIQ).

Pink Therapy

Pink Therapy has an online directory of therapists who work with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer or questioning (LGBTIQ), and people who are gender- and sexual-diverse (GSD).

Stonewall

Find LGBT mental health services near you using Stonewall's "What's in my area?"search box.

Mind Out

Mind Out provides face to face mental health support in Sussex but support people who live any where in the UK online.

Imaan

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.

Hampshire Police have Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers (LAGLO) who will speak to you in complete confidentiality if you are experiencing any discrimination or bullying.

Become Charity

·     Provides advice and information, tailored support for LGBTQ+ care leavers and a LGBTQ+ Youth in Care Network, where young people can share their views and help improve services

Care Leaver Covenant

·     Provides help with jobs and training, education opportunities and support with independent living.

akt

·     Supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–25 who are facing homelessness or unsafe housing.

Mermaids

·     Support for trans and gender-diverse young people and their families.

The Proud Trust

·     Offers groups, youth work and resources for LGBTQ+ young people.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

·     Confidential listening support and information.

Consortium

This membership organisation work to support LGBT+ organisations and projects around the country. Use the site's Member's Directory to find local mental health services.

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation offers information, advice, and support services, including a Talking Therapies Programme to LGBT people.

Mind LGBTQ

Get information about mental health support for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex, non-binary, queer or questioning (LGBTIQ).

Pink Therapy

Pink Therapy has an online directory of therapists who work with people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer or questioning (LGBTIQ), and people who are gender- and sexual-diverse (GSD).

Stonewall

Find LGBT mental health services near you using Stonewall's "What's in my area?"search box.

Mind Out

Mind Out provides face to face mental health support in Sussex but support people who live any where in the UK online.

Imaan

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.

Hampshire Police have Lesbian and Gay Liaison Officers (LAGLO) who will speak to you in complete confidentiality if you are experiencing any discrimination or bullying.