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 - 0300 330 0630
London Lesbian & Gay Switchboard (LLGS) www.llgs.org.uk provides an information, support and referral service for the LGBT community and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality. Our helpline number is 0300 330 0630.
You can call us between 10am and 11pm any day of the week, 365 days a year to talk to a fully trained volunteer who will be helpful, friendly and supportive. Operated entirely by lesbian, gay and bisexual volunteers, we offer support and information to any caller on any subject to do with sexuality.
Sex and sexual health – You can ask us anything you like about sex; wanting it, having it, safer sex, sexual health and where to go if you have an itch or a sore. Perhaps you're worried about HIV and AIDS - we'll tell you what the risks are and what precautions you can take.
Coming out – Call us if you want to talk about your feelings; are frightened, confused, isolated or coming to terms with your sexuality.
Going out – Find out where to go; bars, clubs, saunas, social and sports groups or support groups etc – we have comprehensive London listings as well as most of the regional options.
Oh by the way – we won't tell you what to do, we won't judge you and we won't tell anyone else about your call.
The helpline operates from 10am to 11pm, seven days a week, 52 weeks year.
Our helpline number is 0300 330 0630.
The recruitment hotline for volunteers is 020 7837 7606.
Our text phone number is 020 7689 8501.
Our information web site www.queery.org.uk provides 24 hour access to our database of information and resources relevant to the LGBT community.
THT Direct - 0808 802 1221
Monday to Friday 10am – 10pm
Saturday & Sunday 12noon – 6pm
How can THT Direct 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 THT Direct?
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 Direct, Gay Sexual Health helpline work?
You can contact us by phone or email. It's a Freephone number however some mobile phone networks may charge.
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 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 7.30pm - 9.30pm)
Pace Family Support Helpline
0808 1807 223 (Monday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 3:30pm - 6:30pm, and Thursday 3.30pm - 8.30pm)
Calls from landlines are free. Charges from mobile networks vary.
The PACE Family Service has been established for over ten years. The Helpline offers phone and email support to anyone in the UK who is dealing with issues related to being lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans and being in a family or relationship(s).
People dealing with these issues, and who are isolated because of location, disability, or because these things are hidden, find the Helpline particularly helpful. Having someone to talk to who understands your situation, isn't judgmental and can suggest other resources, makes an enormous difference when you are feeling alone, ashamed and confused as to where to go.
All those answering the phones, emails and providing phone counselling are trained and experienced therapists. We are also able to refer on to other services within PACE and to other appropriate organisations.
The PACE Helpline supports both LGBT and heterosexual partners/family members.
It offers free:
- Ad hoc telephone support
- Telephone Counselling, of up to 6 weekly 30 minute sessions
- Email support (pace.helpline@pacehealth.org.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)
i-base (i-base.info/qa/phoneline)
0808 800 6013 (Mon, Tues, Wed 12 - 4 pm)
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
0808 802 1221 (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
Broken Rainbow
The Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline offers a confidential service across the UK, and supports LGBT individuals, family, and friends experiencing domestic violence. They also take calls from agencies seeking information and advice.
The Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline is open on: Mondays and Thursdays from 2pm to 8pm; Wednesdays 10am till 1pm. The Helpline numbers are: 08452 60 44 60 - low cost from landlines and 0300 999 LGBT (5428) - better value from mobiles. (Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.)
Further information is also available via their website: www.broken-rainbow.org.uk.
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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