If you are LGBTQ+ or care for someone who’s LGBTQ+ then you may feel you have some unique challenges as a carer. You may worry about discrimination or people not understanding your situation. You may face similar challenges if the person you care for is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
However, there is support for you as a carer, whoever you are – and people cannot discriminate against you. You’ll find Signpost Stockport for Carers is a fully welcoming place – and you can expect a warm welcome from our support groups, and other services too.
We are always keen to learn more about how we support our carers and what support you would like from us. Please give us a call on 0161 442 0442 for a chat.
Local Support
We are pleased to work closely with FORWARD, a local Stockport organisation who aim to provide a visible and dedicated safe space for local LGBT+ folks, family and friends, to meet, participate and share with the wider community.
During the pandemic, they have started virtual socials to bring people together. These include mindfulness, quizzes, speakers and general catching-up.
Visit the website for more details.
Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ online dementia support group
Join the online peer support group for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and are living with or caring for someone with dementia.
The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 2-3.30pm on Zoom.
For more information, download the poster.
LGBT Foundation’s Rainbow Brew Buddies
Those who sign up for the service will be allocated a buddy, who will have received training from LGBT Foundation and have passed a DBS check. You will then “get-together” over the phone with them for a brew and a chat at least once a week for around 30 minutes. After 8 sessions over one or two months you will graduate from the programme and be given access to a range of LGBT Foundation groups, including the chance to meet others who have benefited from the Brew Buddies programme.
Who is it for?
There is eligibility which you can read about below, and the website specifically mentions looking to engage with LGBT carers.
You must be:
- a Manchester or Greater Manchester resident
- aged 18+
- LGBT or questioning (people who have come out or are not out yet)
- experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation due to measures put in place around coronavirus or other circumstances
- able to access a landline or mobile phone
- able to commit to regular calls (one or two per week)
The Proud Trust
Based in Manchester, The Proud Trust is an LGBT+ organisation that supports LGBT+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programs and the Proud Connections chat service.
They work with and support adults in trusted positions, including schools and other children’s services, helping them make spaces more LGBT+ inclusive as well as improving confidence in tackling discrimination and celebrating diversity.
You can read more about them, including their Stockport youth group, on their website.
Publications and resources on LGBTQ+ caring
- You can find support as an LGBTQ+ carer on Carers UK’s forum.
- Age UK’s LGBT+ Navigating Later Life guide covers issues, advice and policies relating to later life that apply to everyone, but there are some things that affect LGBTQ+ people differently.
- Young Adult LGBTQ+ Carers in Scotland – Carers Trust report:
This report outlines the additional challenges faced by young adult LGBTQ+ carers in Scotland. Sadly they reported extremely high levels of bullying. 83% had personally experienced bullying in school, 40% in college and 27% at university. 88% reported to have, or to have had, mental health problems.
Caring for someone in the LGBTQ+ community
We would suggest you look on condition-specific websites for support. For instance, if you are caring for someone in the LGBTQ+ community who is living with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Society have a number of useful resources here.
