LGBT Health and Wellbeing

LGBT Health and Wellbeing Scotland's health and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ people (16+)

Established in 2003, LGBT Health and Wellbeing works to improve the physical, social, and mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ adults (16+) in Scotland. We do this by providing responsive support services, social opportunities for our community to connect, and supporting mainstream services to become more inclusive. We welcome the entire diversity of our le***an, gay, bisexual and transgender (LG

BT) community including non-binary, q***r, intersex, asexual people and all communities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

Counselling that puts LGBTQ+ people at the centre.LGBTQ+ people in Scotland face real barriers to mental health support,...
06/05/2026

Counselling that puts LGBTQ+ people at the centre.

LGBTQ+ people in Scotland face real barriers to mental health support, from discrimination and isolation to services that don’t feel safe or affirming. Our counselling services exist to change that.

Through therapy led by counsellors trained in LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and challenges, we create respectful, affirming spaces where people can be supported as their whole selves.

Counselling with us is about more than coping… It’s about feeling seen, and empowered to move forward.

In 2025, we supported 370 people through counselling.

After accessing our support:
• 88% felt safe and secure in their identity
• 83% felt better about themselves
• 80% reported improved mental health

“This has been really different from my previous experience of counselling. I’ve felt accepted without judgement and have a sense of belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.”

🏳️‍🌈 Read more stories and impact: lgbthealth.org.uk/impact

Looking for LGBTQ+ community spaces where you can just be you and connect with people? You’re in the right place.At LGBT...
01/05/2026

Looking for LGBTQ+ community spaces where you can just be you and connect with people? You’re in the right place.

At LGBT Health and Wellbeing, we create welcoming social spaces for LGBTQ+ people aged+. All our spaces are free, inclusive, and designed to help you meet others in an affirming environment.

Our May social calendar is now live!

What you’ll find:
• Meetups and groups in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and beyond
• Spaces for connection, friendship and support
• A warm welcome for everyone under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, including non-binary, intersex, ace, questioning or no labels people

➡️ Full programme at: lgbthealth.org.uk/whats-on

Want event updates in your inbox?
Join our mailing list at lgbthealth.org.uk

Community‑powered mental health and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ people.LGBTQ+ people in Scotland continue to face discriminatio...
23/04/2026

Community‑powered mental health and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ people in Scotland continue to face discrimination, social isolation, and unequal access to care. These inequalities take a real toll on mental health.

That’s why our wellbeing services are rooted in prevention and person‑centred practice, offering both practical tools and emotional care.

Through inclusive social spaces and tailored support, we help LGBTQ+ people feel seen, supported, and more able to navigate life’s challenges.

In 2025, we:
• Hosted 70+ wellbeing group activities
• Provided 300+ support sessions

After accessing our support:
• 87% felt better about themselves
• 83% felt more able to cope with day-to-day life
• 87% felt more connected to their community

“LGBT Health and Wellbeing is part of my toolbox. I often use the mindfulness tools from the workshop and find myself thinking back to the journaling workshop when I’m stuck. Even just knowing that there are skills in my toolbox that I’ve learned in the workshops is really helpful.”

🏳️‍🌈 Read more stories and impact: lgbthealth.org.uk/impact

Creating spaces where LGBTQ+ elders in Scotland can thrive with pride.At a time when many LGBTQ+ elders continue to face...
16/04/2026

Creating spaces where LGBTQ+ elders in Scotland can thrive with pride.

At a time when many LGBTQ+ elders continue to face isolation and invisibility, our services remain a vital source of connection, care, and community.

Through social spaces and tailored support, we bring people together and ensure Scotland’s first openly q***r generation can age within communities that value them, celebrate them, and stand alongside them.

In 2025, we:
• Supported 120+ people
• Hosted 40+ community events
• Provided 430+ connections through regular phone calls

After accessing our support:
• 100% felt more connected to their community
• 84% of people felt less lonely
• 84% of people felt better

“Coming out to you all has been the best thing I’ve ever done. You’ve been the first people I’ve ever verbalised this to. Thank you for all the support and love you’ve given me.”

➡️Read more stories and impact: lgbthealth.org.uk/impact

Trans people face real barriers accessing healthcare – from GP appointments, to gender affirming care, mental health sup...
16/04/2026

Trans people face real barriers accessing healthcare – from GP appointments, to gender affirming care, mental health support, and any other type of care.

So how do we make it better?

We’re hosting a 4 part workshop series run for and by trans people to explore:
• the barriers trans people face
• peer to peer health advocacy
• practical ways to improve access to care
• a shared physical piece of work, shaped by participants.

Workshop dates
Wed 13 May | 18:00–20:30
Wed 20 May | 18:00–20:30
Wed 27 May | 18:00–20:30
Wed 3 June | 18:00–20:30

We ask people to attend all four sessions where possible, but we know this isn’t always easy. You are still very welcome if you can’t attend every week, or if you need to make a last-minute decision about attending.

Location
Accessible venue in Glasgow.
Full details shared after registration.

Access support
Travel costs can be reimbursed.
We can also help book travel.

➡️ How to join
Register in advance via the short form on our website: https://lgbthealth.org.uk/event/navigating-healthcare-trans/2026-05-13/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social
We will email you with next steps.

This workshop is part of a student project by Grace (they/them), MSc Health and Social Policy, University of Strathclyde. More info on our website.

14/04/2026

Our LGBTQIA+ sector manifesto is calling on all elected candidates to work to widen access and participation of LGBTQIA+ people in sport by reducing barriers.

Sport and physical activity research recognise that LGBTQIA+ people are disproportionately likely to experience barriers to accessing sport. In the 2022 NHS Health Needs assessment of LGBT+ people it was reported that LGBTIQ+ people face health inequalities on every measure of wellbeing with transgender and non-binary people consistently showing the lowest health and wellbeing indicators.

Research from Sportscotland, in 2024, shows that despite positive shifts overall in Scottish sport, there is still insufficient progress evident when it comes to LGBTQIA+ equality and inclusion, and that it is the equalities area requiring most attention.

With major sporting moments and ambitions on Scotland’s horizon, now is the time for a renewed commitment to inclusive sport that addresses barriers, supports participation, and increases visibility of role models which will ensure that everyone can experience the joy and benefits of being active.

We are asking the next Scottish Government to: Ensure Scottish sport prioritises work on LGBTQIA+ inclusion as it implements the Moving to Inclusion framework; Use opportunities like the Commonwealth Games 2026 to champion LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sport; Reduce barriers to participation for LGBTQIA+ people under 18 and young people in school P.E. and Commit to the Manifesto for Inclusive Physical Education.

To read more about our ask to widen access to sport in our manifesto, please visit: :https://www.equality-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Scottish-LGBTQIA-Manifesto-2026-FINAL.pdf

LEAP Sports Scotland LGBT Youth Scotland LGBT Health and Wellbeing

We’re hiring!Join our team and help build a Scotland where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive.We’re looking for a Digital Cont...
10/04/2026

We’re hiring!

Join our team and help build a Scotland where all LGBTQ+ people can thrive.

We’re looking for a Digital Content Coordinator to lead digital campaigns and storytelling that keep us visible, connected, and rooted in in Scotland’s LGBTQ+ community, while promoting our services, impact, and income generation.

📍 Edinburgh or Glasgow (flexible working)
⏰ Full-time, 36 hours
💷 £31,566 salary

If you’re someone who cares about our community, understands how to communicate with authenticity, and is motivated by making a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

➡️More info about the role and how to apply at: https://lgbthealth.org.uk/job/digital-content-coordinator/

Application deadline: 9am, Monday 27th April.

***rscotland

09/04/2026

In our Manifesto, we’re calling on all parties to ensure that all LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum living in Scotland and those with refugee status (New Scots) have fair access to employment, travel and services. This includes enabling them to live well, integrate into their communities of place and belonging, and contribute as valued members of Scottish society.

LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum here in Scotland experience the same financial precarity as all people seeking asylum elsewhere in the UK. While a person’s asylum claim is being processed, they have no ‘right to work’ and are forced to live on £9.95 - £49.18 per week to cover food, clothing, toiletries travel and other essentials. Some LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and don’t receive asylum allowance, leaving many people living in deep poverty, insecurity, fear and uncertainty.

Additionally, LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum experience profound health and wellbeing inequality including poor mental health and a heightened risk of su***de / self-harming. Instances of q***rphobia in Home Office accommodation and statutory and mainstream services are known to further compound isolation, distress and poor mental health.

Whilst immigration policy is reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government has a clear role to play in improving material conditions for LGBTQIA+ New Scots.

We’re asking the next Scottish Government to ensure LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum have fair access to work, free bus travel, and equitable access to affirming services that are person-centred, trauma informed, anti-racist and understand the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people seeking asylum living in Scotland.

To read more about our asks in our manifesto, please visit:https://www.equality-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Scottish-LGBTQIA-Manifesto-2026-FINAL.pdf

LEAP Sports Scotland LGBT Youth Scotland LGBT Health and Wellbeing

07/04/2026

We know that some people are unhappy that we have a Reform candidate speaking at our LGBTQIA+ hustings this week.

A few months ago, when we were deciding whether to put on a hustings for the Scottish Parliament election, we had a choice. We could invite candidates representing every party likely to get elected, or we could not have one at all. This is because of a combination of electoral and charity law, that means these were the only viable options.

We thought carefully about what we felt was the right way forward. We asked ourselves if there was any valid, constructive or meaningful point in doing a hustings, given that politicians from so many parties have used our communities, particularly trans and non-binary people, for political point scoring over the last number of years. Some have actively opposed making our lives better – indeed, some have tried to make them worse.

Ultimately, we decided that not going ahead would do the work of people who oppose LGBTQIA+ people’s equality and human rights for them. If we retreat from political conversations and from public life, then the voices of those who want to see a world that is smaller and harsher for our communities get to have all the airtime.

During an election, every political party is going to have a huge media platform. Often, our mainstream media buys into using our communities (again, let’s be honest, mostly trans and non-binary people) for gotcha questions and clickbait. We hope that our hustings will be at least one small, carved out space, to ask candidates and parties the questions WE think really matter.

If the event isn’t for you – we get it. If you’re annoyed, upset, angry, at seeing the logos of charities who work to make LGBTQIA+ people’s lives better alongside those of political parties who you feel do anything but – we get it. We totally understand.

We had a tough choice to make, and we hope you can see why we made it this way.

07/04/2026

In our manifesto, we are asking parties to commit to ensuring that LGBTQIA+ people are a key group of consideration when developing policy and practice related to improving living standards.

As a community, we have the same needs as the general population when it comes to having adequate living standards, including safe and affordable housing, fair treatment at work, nutritious food and access to benefits if we need them. That is not a luxury, it is our human rights.

Yet, we continue to face additional barriers to having those needs met or face systemic inequality and discrimination when accessing those rights. Especially for those who are multiply marginalised, including disabled people and those seeking sanctuary in Scotland.

We are asking the next Scottish Government to: ensure LGBTQIA+ people’s needs are identified when developing legislation, policy and practice on housing, benefits, work and poverty; involve us in designing any identified changes; collect and monitor better demographic data in this area; and support local authorities to improve public transport networks and safety in public spaces.

To read more about our manifesto ask on improving living standards, visit our manifesto:https://www.equality-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Scottish-LGBTQIA-Manifesto-2026-FINAL.pdf

LEAP Sports Scotland LGBT Youth Scotland LGBT Health and Wellbeing

It’s Asexual Visibility Day 🖤💜🤍Asexuality (or Ace) is a real and valid part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. People on the Ace ...
06/04/2026

It’s Asexual Visibility Day 🖤💜🤍

Asexuality (or Ace) is a real and valid part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

People on the Ace spectrum experience sexual or romantic attraction in different ways.

Here are a few examples:

• Asexual (Ace): doesn’t experience sexual attraction. Some Ace people still feel romantic attraction, like being biromantic or homoromantic.

• Aromantic (Aro): doesn’t experience romantic attraction. Aro people may still feel sexual attraction.

• Greysexual / Greyromantic: feels attraction rarely or only in specific situations.

• Demisexual / Demiromantic: feels attraction only after building a strong emotional bond.

• Abrosexual / Abroromantic: attraction changes over time, who it’s towards or how often.

Many people use combinations like q***r demiromantic, bisexual greysexual, or le***an aromantic to describe themselves more fully.

💜 Wherever you are on the Ace spectrum, you belong. We see you, and we’re glad you are part of our community.

Want to learn more about asexuality and LGBTQ+ identities?
🏳️‍🌈 Read our guide: lgbthealth.org.uk/lgbtq

Address

Edinburgh

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441315643970

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when LGBT Health and Wellbeing posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category