Gender identity and sexuality

Useful Links

Gender Questioning Young People & Parent / Carers

• MindEd Offers a range of free educational resource for parents/ Carers, including. Supporting children and young people with gender questions or distress and their sexual orientation for parents and carers

• CAMHS information on sexual and Gender identity - Sexuality and Gender Identity – CAMHS (hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk)
• NSPCC: Gender identity; Advice to help you understand what gender identity is and how to support a child
• NHS - Live Well The NHS Live Well pages provide advice for teenagers confused about their gender identity.
• Gendered Intelligence https://genderedintelligence.co.uk/  Support Transgender young people, families, and professionals.
• NHS 111 Contact NHS 111 if you are struggling with your mental health and need immediate support​​

Support for all LGBTQIA+ Young People

• Kooth https://www.kooth.com/ Is our NHS digital support and counselling service for young people aged 11-25 years, offering Webchat, 1:1 help and LGBTQIA+ young people’s forum. Available across Hampshire Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight.
• Breakout Youth https://www.breakoutyouth.org.uk/ offer face to face groups for LGBTQI+ young people aged 11-18 years In Southampton, Romsey, Basingstoke, Andover, the New Forest, and the Isle of Wight and an Online group.
• Y Services  - Support for LGBTQI+ young people in Havant, Fareham and Gosport.
• Portsmouth City LGBTQIA+ Services
  • 4Me Youth Group - 18–25-year-olds
  • 4U Youth Group - 13–19-year-olds
  • 4Us Child & Family group - Under 13 years & Parents & Carers.
• Yellow Door Therapeutic services for children 4-18 years that are experiencing gender related distress, their families and health, education and social care professionals in Southampton.
• GALOP National LGBT+ Helpline https://galop.org.uk/ for people who need emotional support or have experienced abuse or violence. They can offer you emotional support, provide information and can help you to explore your options, depending on your needs. All forms of contact are Free:
  • Call on 0800 999 5428.
  • Email [email protected] at any time.  
  • Webchat, where you can also get support and information about your situation. Webchat is mobile friendly, so it doesn’t need to be on a computer. 
  • Our services are open: Monday – Thursday, 10am to 8pm; Friday, 10am to 4:00pm. Please note we are closed during bank holidays.
  • OR you can use Chatbot if you’re not ready to talk to someone yet for helpful access information and resources, and you don’t need any immediate help; It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• SHOUT SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis. You can text SHOUT to 85258.This service is free on all major mobile networks.
• YoungMinds YoungMinds has a wealth of resources on their website, as well as providing dedicated crisis services. The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger provides free crisis support every day of the week, at any time, day, or night. You just need to text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
• Childline If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline for free and the number will not appear on your phone bill.
• NHS 111 Contact NHS 111 if you are struggling with your mental health and need immediate support
• Papyrus Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life, and all their advice is confidential. You can:
  • call their 24/7 helpline, HOPELineUK, on 0800 068 41 41
  • text them on 07786 209 687
• Samaritans Samaritans is an organisation you can ring at any time of the day or night. They'll help you and listen to how you’re feeling. You can:
  • call them on 116 123
  • email them at [email protected]