Spectra London

12/06/2026

At our counselling sessions we make sure to provide a space that feel safe, not overwhelming and welcoming. We do that by offering you the option to have online or in-person sessions, by ensuring the space where we meet is not overstimulating and always prioritising your needs.

We offer a number of different types of counselling, such as:

- s*xual health
- HIV-specific
- for trans and non-binary folks
- trans art therapy
- for s3x work3rs
- for young LGBTQIA+ people
- psychos*xual
as well as a number of group therapies and social groups for both adults and young people.

Most counselling is offered both online and/or in person, check the specifications below:

https://spectra-london.org.uk/services/?tags=Mental+health&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socials&utm_campaign=counselling_services

10/06/2026

The Stronger Voices project, by the Trans Learning Partnership, researched trans people’s experiences of Housing, Healthcare, Employment and Education.

Our research found that disadvantage and discrimination within Housing, Healthcare, Employment, and Education are interlinked for trans people - it is a cycle we need to break by tackling the whole system rather than singular issues.

You can find out more about our ‘Stronger Voices’ Project here: https://lnkd.in/d4-R3wNB

The trans people we spoke to on average spend the equivalent of a year's wages on medical transition, with many unable to access timely care within the NHS. Others reported having to choose between healthcare and housing due to competing costs. Yet lack of access to healthcare can create barriers to accessing housing and employment, creating a vicious circle it is hard to break out of.

However, it is also important to us that our research holds that trans people are more than the hardships we encounter. Our research also found that through trans community we are already creating space for living and belonging. This is a strong foundation to build upon for a better future.

At Spectra we are proud to be the lead partner within the Trans Learning Partnership, and will continue to advocate of trans people to access the care they need, while also building spaces for trans people to thrive.

The Trans Learning Partnership was a result of the collaboration of Spectra, Gendered Intelligence , LGBT Foundation and Mermaids.

Thanks to:
Voice actors: Travis Alabanza, Ina Lark , K.C Finn
Animation: Fern Bailey and Millstream Productions
Funder: Trust for London
Academic partner: University of Glasgow

10/06/2026

Disadvantage and discrimination within Housing, Healthcare, Employment, and Education are interlinked for trans people - it is a cycle we need to break by tackling the whole system rather than singular issues.

But Trans people are more than the hardships we encounter; through trans community we are already creating space for living and belonging.

Link in bio to find out more about the Trans Learning Partnership’s ‘Stronger Voices’ Project.

Thanks to our voice actors :
Travis Alabanza
Ina Lark .lark
K.C Finn
the animator Fern Bailey at
our funder
our partner organisations , ,
our academic partner

01/06/2026

🌈Happy Pride month!

“We are gay and we are proud and we are going to enjoy ourselves.”

This statement was printed on the programme for Britain’s first Pride protest, which took place in London on 1 July 1972.

Every June, we remember our siblings who fought for the rights we have today and we honour them by continuing their fight all year round. Pride month is observed internationally in June, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and promoting equal rights.

💣It began after a series of protests that took place in Stonewall, New York in 1969, led by gay and trans folks against harsh police raids.

Spectra is led by and serves q***r people in wider London and envisions a future without discrimination or obstacles to accessing education, healthcare or social welfare services.

🔗For more information on our services and how we work for and with q***r communities, visit: specta-london.org.uk

***r

31/05/2026

Our June outreach s*xual health sessions are here!

Join us across London this month for free, confidential s*xual health support, including:

✅ HIV & STI testing
✅ Free condoms & l**e
✅ Answering all your s*xual health and wellbeing related questions!

Our outreach spaces are safe, welcoming, and open to everyone 🌈

📍 Check dates & locations and come say hi.

P.s. it will probably hot 🥵for most of June, please stay hydrated and cool 🪭

https://spectra-london.org.uk/events/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=socials&utm_campaign=june_outreach

29/05/2026

Spectra offers mindfulness sessions, both online and in person, to everyone that would like to take a step back from the rhythms of everyday life and ground themselves. *

Mindfulness draws on the wisdom of thousands of years of meditative tradition and combines this with contemporary approaches from psychology and neuroscience to help you to foster a non-judgemental, compassionate relationship with yourself and others.

A qualified and experienced teacher will offer guidance and support to enable you to begin, or to develop, your mindfulness journey at two regular free monthly drop ins online, and face to face.

Book your sessions below:

https://spectra-london.org.uk/spectra_services/mindfulness/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=socials&utm_campaign=mindfulness

* These sessions are specifically for LGBTQIA+ folks!🌈

28/05/2026

We’re proud to have contributed to the latest UK Health Security Agency survey tracking England’s progress towards ending HIV transmissions by 2030.

The findings show real progress:
✔️ Fewer HIV diagnoses
✔️ Record numbers accessing PrEP (111,123 in 2024)
✔️ Over 1.3 million people tested in s*xual health services

At Spectra, we’re committed to making HIV testing, prevention and support accessible to all, and helping drive this progress forward.

https://spectra-london.org.uk/working-towards-ending-hiv-transmissions-in-england-by-2030/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socials&utm_campaign=ukhsa_survey_hiv_plan

Spectra contributes to UKHSA survey showing England’s progress in reducing HIV transmissions, highlighting rising PrEP use, expanded testing, and frontline prevention services.

26/05/2026

Wednesday Wiggles is a dance therapy group for SWers, using movement and imagination as a way to explore emotions, connect with each other, and to connect with our own bodies. Using a sense of play, imagery and creative movement, the group can help people to explore themes of identity and community, and to develop a more positive relationship with their own bodies.

Spectra's counselling service is here to support people who may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. In counselling with The ALEX Project, our SWers-focused service, you work with a trained therapist with lived experience to explore your emotions and feelings in a private and confidential space.

Want to find out more about our ALEX Project services? Check out what we offer below:

https://spectra-london.org.uk/services/?tags=Sex+workers&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=socials&utm_campaign=alex_services

*These pictures show some of the props and images used and created by participants as they explored these themes.

22/05/2026

The long-awaited Equality and Human Rights Commission Practice code for the Equality Act 2010 for Service, Public Functions and Associations is now out.

Spectra is aware of early reports in the UK media and acknowledge, people will interpret the code in different ways. Our early take is that this code does not balance the needs of our diverse communities to access single s*x spaces, and let’s trans people down. We are in conversations with lawyers and other organisations to better understand how this will impact our communities, how the guidance might be interpreted and what we can do about it collectively.

And to all our trans and non-binary service users, staff, volunteers, and wider stakeholders, take care of yourselves today and over the weekend. It’s tempting to endlessly scroll on social media, but we do better for ourselves when we can reach out and talk to a friend, a support group, or helpline. Think about doing something nice for yourself this weekend if you can, and remember, trans joy is real.

Do reach out for any questions or concerns.

* if you are in urgent need, call , the national LGBT helpline.

This isn’t the end, we can still fight this and we can do so together.

We will provide a more detailed response to the code as soon as we can.

With love and solidarity,
Spectra

20/05/2026

Do you work for a charity, not-for profit or the public health sector? Are you looking for training to support you in your role?

At Spectra we offer training for practitioners and organisations working in health, care and community settings. This includes:

- Published training courses, including s*xual health training
- Bespoke and commissioned training tailored to local need
- Learning for frontline staff, multidisciplinary teams and leaders
- RSHE training and delivery in schools, including:
--> Student workshops
--> Staff training
--> Parent and carer sessions

Reach out via email on [email protected] to find out more.