Everyone deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported no matter who they are or who they love.

If you're lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, or exploring your identity, you may be interested in joining one of our local peer and support groups in Bexley.

Our support groups for young people are run by Galop. Galop is run by LGBTQ+ people for LGBTQ+ people, and their team are experts in supporting people of all ages through the challenges they may face.

The following support groups are available in Bexley:

LGBTQ+ support groups

These in-person groups will run fortnightly for either 16-18 or 19-24 year olds, and are safe, confidential and informed spaces for LGBTQ+ young people to connect with peers, talk about their experiences, and access emotional and practical support in an inclusive, non-judgmental way. 

Trans and non-binary support groups

These in-person groups will run weekly for 13-17 and 18-25 year olds, and are spaces for young people who are trans, non-binary, or exploring their gender identity to connect with peers, talk about their experiences, and access emotional and practical support in an inclusive, non-judgmental way. 

How to join

For more info about either group, please email groups@galop.org.uk.

To refer yourself as a young person, or to refer a young person for either group, please complete this form on Galop's website and mention interest in the Bexley support groups: https://www.galop.org.uk/make-a-referral .

Peer and community support

LGBT+ Thamesmead is a friendly community group that organises events, activities and peer-to-peer support networks for LGBTQIA+ people in Thamesmead, South East London and the surrounding area.

You can find more information about the group here: https://lgbtthamesmead.co.uk/.

Support for abuse or violence

If you are LGBTQ+, aged 18 or over and looking for individual support for abuse or violence - such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy”  - you can contact Galop through their helpline: https://www.galop.org.uk/helpline .

Galop does not have hearing loop support integrated into their services. Galop can facilitate British Sign Language interpreting for advocacy services via ClearVoice (clearvoice.org.uk), but unfortunately are unable to offer this for group or therapeutic services.

Galop uses ClearVoice for those requiring language interpretation services via telephone.

Specific to Bexley Youth Groups:

There is a ramp from ground level into the building, and a lift up to the first floor where the group space is.

There are seven blue-badge parking bays that are no more than 500 feet from the entrance.

There is an accessible toilet cubicle on the ground floor.

Specific to other appointments and services:

For face-to-face services, there is a single step of 100mm up to the entrance door from the pavement. A portable ramp is available on request. There is stepped access to all floors within the building, via a central staircase with single flights between each floor.

A lift is provided between the basement and third floor, the dimensions mean that it is likely many wheelchair users will not be able to use the lift. There is a wheelchair accessible meeting pod on the ground floor.

There are a limited number of blue- and red-badge street parking bays near their safehouse, the locations of which we can share with service users who have an appointment.

There is no accessible toilet in the building.