Drop in services

Here are the details of some drop in services available to gay and bisexual men in London. Different drop in services are set up to meet different needs. Some are for men living with HIV, some are for gay men generally. For the details of sexual health clinic 'walk-in' services, please see the information on London clinics.

Click to go to:

THT London Lighthouse
The Metro Centre
Outcome
Positive Place
River House
Sohoboyz
Step Forward
SW5
Wandsworth Oasis

Lighthouse West London (Terrence Higgins Trust Lighthouse)

Address:	111 - 117 Lancaster Road London W11 1QT
Telephone:	020 7313 2900 0845 12 21 200 - THT Direct for service information
Email:	information@lighthouse-west.org.uk
Website:	www.tht.org.uk

London Lighthouse West London is a support centre for people living with HIV which offers

a cafe;
advice and advocacy through CAB, complementary therapies, counselling and podiatry;
peer support groups;
African Day on Saturdays once a month.

For information on the above services as well as others in London please contact THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200.

The Metro Centre

Address:	The Metro Centre Norman House 110-114 Norman Road Greenwich, SE10 9QJ
Telephone:	020 8305 5000
Email:	info@metrocentreonline.org
Website:	www.metrocentreonline.org

A mixed weekly drop-in at The Metro Centre offers a space for gay and bisexual men and women to socialise with others in a comfortable, non-judgemental, relaxed atmosphere. It’s a safe place where if you feel like you need a confidential chat, staff are available for a one to one session in one of the counselling rooms. There is no obligation to stay for the entire session and you can come along for however long you want.

Opening times

Thursday	1pm to 4pm

Outcome - North London's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Mental Health Drop-In

Address:	Ashley Road Day Centre 35 Ashley Road London N19 3AG
Telephone:	020 7272 5038 or 020 7272 6936
Email:	brianh54@hotmail.com

Offers support, advice, advocacy, friendship and lunch, in an informal house setting with a beautiful garden. A wide range of activities and outings is also organized, plus counselling and complementary therapies. Disability access to ground floor. New members and volunteers always welcome.

Opening times

Tuesday	10.30 to 4.30pm

The Positive Place

Address:	52 Deptford Broadway, London, SE8 4PH
Telephone:	020 8694 9988 x205
Email:	enquiries@thepositiveplace.org.uk
Website:	www.thepositiveplace.org.uk

The Positive Place is open 13 hours per day. Drop in facilities include free use of computers and internet, library material etc. Peer Support Groups at three locations across South London.

Services include:

One to One Counselling
Group Counselling
PSMP training
Short courses and workshops on issues including: Stigma and Discrimination, Recently Diagnosed. Long Term
Survivor issues, HIV and boundaries, HIV and bereavement etc.
Special interest groups such as a "book club" and "arts and crafts group" etc.
Volunteer Mentoring
Opportunties to Volunteer
The Positive Place is an organisational member of BACP and bound by its ethical framework for good practice in Counselling and Psychotherapy.

The Positive Place is a service user led organisation and a high proportion of gay men are represented in its governance and management.

River House

Address:	Furnival Gardens (off Rutland Grove) London W6 9D
Telephone:	020 8753 5190
Email:	info@riverhousetrust.org.uk

River House is a resource centre where people living with HIV can access welfare benefits advice, social work services, housing advice, counselling, advocacy and complementary therapies. Services include:

Access to Living Well programme.
Drop-in service with lunch.
Support for carers.

River House can only offer a service to residents of Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster, Ealing, Hounslow and NW London boroughs.

Opening times

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - open to anyone living with HIV.

Sohoboyz

Address:	Unit FF15, Base Station, The Saga Centre, 326 Kensal Road, London W10 5BZ
Telephone:	020 7362 2309
Email:	info@sohoboyz.org.uk
Website:	www.sohoboyz.org.uk

The SohoBoyz Sunday Drop-In for male and trans sex workers takes place every Sunday from 2-5pm. HIV testing and STI screening is also available by appointment from 8pm till 12 midnight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call to book an appointment. In addition, for any young LGBT people living in Westminster, SohoBoyz is supporting the National Chlamydia Screening Programme via Westminster PCT, and can offer free and confidential Chlamydia testing for 15 to 24 year olds. Just call 020 8264 0143 and quote ‘test me now’ to arrange an appointment.

The SohoBoyz 'chill out zone' is a safe and confidential space. If you are a male or transgender sex worker and want to access help and information about any aspects of your sex work, including safer sex and HIV information, social support, benefits, housing, education and training opportunities, legal advice, immigration advice, and your rights as a sex worker.

Services provided will include one to one needs assessment with a key worker and rapid HIV testing, all within a relaxed and comfortable space. Meet with other sex workers, have some lunch and collect condoms and safer sex supplies. Helpful and friendly staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide assistance and information, and from time to time it is hoped that other agencies and professionals, such as representatives from the International Union of Sex Workers (IUSW), will drop by to offer help and advice.

Conveniently located adjacent to Portobello Docks, nearest tubes to Sohoboyz are Ladbroke Grove (Hammersmith & City Line) or Kensal Green (Bakerloo Line) and the centre is well served by local bus routes including the 7, 23, 52, 70, 295, & 452.

Step Forward

Address:	234 Bethnal Green London E2 0AA
Telephone:	020 7739 3082
Email:	scott@stepforward-web.org
Website:	www.stepforward-web.org

Free weekly drop in and support group, for lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) young people aged 11 to 25, living in and around Tower Hamlets. Tuesdays 5 to 8pm and every first Saturday of the month, 2 to 4pm.

SW5

Address:	11 Eardley Crescent Earl's Court London SW5 9JS
Telephone:	020 7370 0406
Email:	web@sw5.info
Website:	www.sw5.info

SW5 offers sex workers the chance to chill out and relax or socialise and network in the basement space. There is also free access to the internet plus drinks and snacks as refreshments

Outside of the drop-in service, SW5 offers a program of group workshops and activities on and off site. Workshops tend to be led by external facilitators with the emphasis on learning. Activities are intended to be more of a social opportunity.

Opening times

Fridays from 12pm to 3pm.