Helplines
There is a range helplines that you can ring depending on what you would like to talk about. Some are run by trained staff, some by trained volunteers, and some by people with experience of particular situations.
The two main helplines for gay men in London are:
Other helplines:
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard - 020 7837 7324
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard provides a comprehensive information and support service,
for lesbians, gay men, bisexual people and anybody with questions on issues around sexuality.
Switchboard positively raises awareness of sexual health issues, including safer sex and endorses positive personal choice. Callers to Switchboard are offered non-judgmental support and advice on any problems they are facing and they are referred to sources of more specialist advice, counselling or other help if they want it.
Helpline opening hours are 10am to 11pm seven days a week.
Switchboard can also be reached online at www.llgs.org.uk.
THT Gay Men's Sexual Health Helpline - 020 7998 4161
This is a new helpline to give, information, advice and support about sexual health to gay men in London, whether they have HIV or not.
How can the THT Gay Men's Helpline help?
- with support and information about HIV and sexual health;
- by giving you information on HIV and sexual health services in London - for example screening, HIV testing, vaccinations or treatment;
- by sending you out factsheets and leaflets to read at home;
- by discussing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with you, help you to access it and support you if you're thinking about it;
- by putting you in touch with services especially for gay men;
- by talking to you about the sex you're having and the sex you want to get - and how to reduce any risks involved.
Why would I call the THT Gay Men's Helpline?
It could be that you're recently diagnosed HIV positive, or that you've been living with HIV for some time and need support around a difficult issue - such as disclosure, starting treatment, or Hepatitis C.
Perhaps you're an HIV positive person and feeling isolated? We can put you in touch with people to share experiences. Similarly, as a partner, relative or friend of a gay man living with HIV you might need information, support or help yourself.
We can be a gateway to all kinds of help - from free condoms, to a gay men's Health Trainer (whether you are HIV positive or not), or from counselling to a support group - just to mention a few examples.
It might be that you want to take more control of your sexual health - find out what's putting you at risk of HIV and STIs, and learn some strategies to make your sexlife a safer place. We can also help you manage your sexual health with check-ups and tests.
How does the THT Gay Men's Helpline work?
You can contact us by phone or email. You'll need to call from a London landline (it's the price of a local call) or mobile phone (charges may vary depending on provider).
We're open from 10.00am till 10.00pm Mondays to Fridays, and from 12.00pm till 6.00pm at weekends. We're not open on Bank Holidays.
We can use a translation service too if English isn't your first language.
Other helplines for Gay & Bisexual Men
AL haba'IB (gay Muslim) Helpline
07957 157 132
FFLAG - Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
0845 652 0311 or 0845 652 0314
Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project Helpline
020 7403 5969 (Tuesday and Thursday 7.30pm - 10.30pm)
London Friend Lesbian and Gay Helpline
020 7837 3337 (Daily, 7.30pm-10pm)
Pace Family Support Helpline
0808 1807 223 (Monday 9.30am - 12.30pm and Thursday 3.30pm - 6.30pm)
You can also email pacehelpline@pace.dircon.co.uk
Safer-sex, HIV and AIDS
African AIDS Helpline
In English, French, Shona, Swahili, Luganda and Portugese.
0800 0967 500 (Mon to Fri - 10am to 6pm)
HI (Health Initiatives)
0800 298 3099 (Mon to Fri - 10 to 5pm)
Sexual Health Information Line
0800 567123 (24 hours a day. All calls are free from anywhere in the UK.)
Help is also available in the following community languages:
- Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu - 0800 282445 (Wednesday 6pm to 10pm)
- Cantonese- 0800 282446 (Tuesday 6pm to 10pm)
- Arabic- 0800 282447 (Wednesday 6pm to 10pm)
- Minicom service is available for the hearing impaired- 0800 521361 (10am-10pm) daily.
Positiveline
0800 1696806. (Mon to Fri - 11am to 10pm; Sat and Sun - 4pm to 10pm)
You can also email eddiesurmantrust@hotmail.com
THT Direct
0845 122 1200 (Mon to Fri - 10am to 10pm; Sat and Sun - 12 noon to 6pm)
Drink & Drugs
Alcoholics Anonymous
020 7833 0022 (10am to 10pm daily)
Narcotics Anonymous
020 7730 0009 (10am to 10pm daily)
National Drugs Helpline
0800 77 66 00 (24 hours a day)
Release
Legal information
020 7729 9904 or 0845 4500 215 (Monday to Friday - 11am to 1pm for drugs and legal advice / 2pm to 4pm for drugs advice only)
Crisis Lines
Positiveline
Support for HIV positive men from The Eddie Surman Trust
0800 169 68 06 (Mon to Fri - 11am to 10pm, Sat and Sun - 4pm to 10pm)
Samaritans
0845 790 9090 (24 hours a day)
0845 790 9192 (24 hours a day for hearing impaired)
Survivors UK
Support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused.
0845 122 1201 (Mon, Tue and Thurs - 7pm to 10pm)
The Shoutline - GALOP
For reporting homophobic hate crimes.
020 7704 2040 - opening times below
Monday 9.30am to 12.30pm Tuesday 4pm to 7pm Wednesday 11am to 1pm Thursday 12pm to 2pm Friday 12pm to 2pm
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