Switchboard - National LGBTQ+ Support Line

Hi, I'm Melanie 👋 I am cycling 230 miles from Surrey to Salford to raise money for Switchboard 🚴🏼♀️🌈 I grew up with a mum who couldn’t have been more supportive of me and my sexuality, but I have known from a young age that my ease was paved by my uncle. My uncle Henry grew up in a strict Irish family, my Nan and aunties treated him terribly and cut contact pretty young. He moved to London (like all the gays do) and lived through the HIV/AIDS crisis and he lost loved ones in that time. He was around for Section 28 and talks to me about how hard that time was. He proposed to his boyfriend when marriage wasn’t legal and I attended their civil partnership which felt happy, and yet sad. He and his partner have always been the only secure relationship I’ve ever seen, and knowing they couldn’t have the rights straight people could weighed heavy on everyone that day— Great news, they are now married! He talks to me about calling Switchboard's helpline and he’s the one who introduced me to Switchboard in the first place. This year, I attended London Pride and heard the stories of how important Switchboard still is in our community. There’s something heartbreaking about knowing we have and haven’t come far with the way the world treats us. So, I decided to do this cycle and raise money so Switchboard can continue for the next 50 years and help the next generation... and the one after that! To learn more about Melanie's cycle you can check out her TikTok @melanie.willoughby and to donate to help her reach her fundraising goal, click here https://buff.ly/4cA6ePs

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not check out your local bookshop and pick up a copy of 'A Poem for Switchboard'! 'A Poem for Switchboard' is an anthology of poems written by current and former volunteers, previous service users, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The poems included explore the feelings, thoughts, fears, and joys of the LGBTQIA+ community, offer an insight into our service, the lives of those who contact us, and key milestones in queer history. A big thank you to all of these incredible indie bookshops for stocking the anthology. London: Housmans Bookshop, Gays The Word, The Common Press Darlington: The Queerish Bookshop Edinburgh: Lighthouse Bookshop Glasgow: Category Is Books Brighton: The Queery Brighton Nottingham: Five Leaves Bookshop Birmingham: The Heath Bookshop If you work at a bookshop in the UK and are interested in stocking the anthology, please email [email protected] You can also order it online here: https://buff.ly/3A1chPy

We're looking for a Volunteer Community Lead to join our passionate, growing staff team! This role will oversee four main areas: volunteer socials, wellbeing initiatives, celebrations and EDI endeavours. This role is key to ensuring the charity retains, nurtures and engages volunteers within Switchboard, and that they create a community of volunteers which reflects the rich diversity of the wider LGBTQIA+ community. Could this be the job for you? Learn more and apply today: https://buff.ly/3yFAlHq

In the summer of 1985, Femi Otitoju (pictured above) and 200 other women marched for Lesbian Strength. Femi and her friend were the only Black people at the march. In an article she wrote for Metro (2021), Femi said: 'On the day the picture was taken, it felt a bit like a responsibility to be marching, specifically with a banner for Black lesbians. It was important for me because I wasn't just a lesbian; I was Black, and that had a real impact on my experience'. Femi also volunteered for the London Lesbian Line, Switchboard and helped set up the first Black Lesbian Group in the early 1980’s. The image is a colourised version of the original image from Skittles 'Recolour the Rainbow' campaign (2021) in partnership with Gay Times, Switchboard and Queer Britain. – Alt text: A group of people walking in a parade, carrying a banner that reads “Black Lesbians.” Femi, in the centre, wears a pink dress and smiles broadly. – Image From Skittles – #queerbritain #lgbtq #lesbian #gay #bisexual #trans #queer #blackpride #blackpride2024

Our volunteers have been all over the UK the past few weekends celebrating Pride and talking to folks about Switchboard 🌈 ✨ Here are some 📸 from Northern Pride, Belfast Pride, UK Black Pride and Sparkle Weekend! These volunteers make up just a fraction of the amazing volunteers available to listen and support the LGBTQIA+ communities— and their friends and families— across the UK.

Are you over 50? Are you looking for a way to give back to the community? Are you looking for a way to meet & socialise with other LGBTQIA+ people? You should apply to join the Switchboard Over 50s Club! We're delighted to offer a welcoming environment for older LGBTQIA+ individuals to connect, volunteer, and make a difference in the LGBTQIA+ communities across the UK through our phone lines and instant messaging service. Our 'Over 50’s Club' will meet weekly at our London HQ and will see volunteers undertake phone or chat shifts, with time for lunch and socialising before/after. For more information and to apply, click here https://buff.ly/3w6AamX

We're delighted to announce that Switchboard's 'A Poem for Switchboard' anthology is now available for purchase via our online shop. This project was a volunteer-led initiative to celebrate our 50th Birthday! The anthology is comprised of 26 poems by current and former volunteers, previous service users, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who wanted to show their support. The poems explore the feelings, thoughts, fears, and joys of the LGBTQIA+ community, offering an insight into our services the lives of those who contact us and key milestones in queer history. All profits from the anthology go to Switchboard to help ensure our service is available for all who need it. Get yours here

We have new merch! Wear your identity with pride and support Switchboard. We have pin badges for the following identities: ❤️ Lesbian 🧡 Bisexual 💛 Intersex 💚 Asexual 🩵 Transgender 💙 Non-Binary 💜 Pride We also have other new products on the site, so check it out today! Shop here: https://buff.ly/49nqAel

The World AIDS Day RED RUN returns to Victoria Park, East London for its 14th year on the 23rd of November, 2024! ❤️ The RED RUN is an incredible opportunity to celebrate progress, honour those lives lost and take action. You can sign up to run/walk/roll/sashay on behalf of Switchboard and make a difference in the lives of those affected by HIV. This is a fully accessible event, so please don't feel you don’t have to run to participate, you can also choose to walk and roll, or however you'd like to move through the course. Sign up today: redrun.org.uk #redrunuk #worldaidsday #takeactionlaceup

Come join our team Switchboard - National LGBTQ+ Support Line!! 🌈 We have three exciting roles available, including a Communications Lead, who will work closely with me. ✨ This is a fantastic time to become part of our staff as we celebrate Switchboard's 50th year. We are a small but passionate team dedicated to supporting the LGBTQIA+ communities, ensuring that everyone has someone to turn to when they need it most. If you're passionate, driven, and want a job that makes a real difference, please apply. If this role is not for you *PLEASE SHARE* to help amplify 🫶 For more info about the Comms Lead role and to apply, click here: https://lnkd.in/ezCfjpaa