Resources for: Parents and Carers and LGBTQ+

Although identifying as part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi sexual, Trans & Queer plus communities does not always mean you will have poor mental health and wellbeing, evidence does indicate that LGBTQ+ people are likely to have poorer health outcomes compared to heterosexual people. 

This section provides some information and services that may help.

22. Breathing Space

Breathing Space

Breathing Space is a free, confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed.

Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87

Web: https://breathingspace.scot/

Helpline Telephone National Free
10. Anna Freud

Anna Freud Centre

Anna Freud Centre is a UK charity focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people, and families. Free resources are available to download for under 5s, children and young people, families, and professionals.

The Anna Freud Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. Text AFC to 85258.

Helpline number: Text AFC to 85258

Web: www.annafreud.org/

Helpline Website Online Self referral National Free
61. Fumble

Fumble

A friendly, youth-led charity providing free online resources about sex, relationships, and mental health. Their guides, created by young people for young people, help build confidence and understanding around consent, identity, and sexual health.

Web: www.fumble.org.uk/

Website Online National Free
63. Galop

Galop

The UK’s specialist LGBT+ anti-abuse charity, providing free, confidential support, advocacy and helplines for LGBT+ people who have experienced domestic abuse, hate crime, sexual violence, “conversion therapy” or other forms of abuse.

Also contains a range of downloadable resources on a range of topics affecting LGBT+ people.

Helpline number: 0800 9995428

Web: www.galop.org.uk/

Website Online National Free
82. LGBT Health And Wellbeing

LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Provides health information and support specifically for LGBTQ+ people. They offer resources, advice, and guidance to promote physical and mental well-being within the LGBTQ+ community. They welcome the entire diversity of our LGBT+ community including non-binary, queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

Phone: 0800 464 7000

Web: www.lgbthealth.org.uk/

Website Online National Free
83. LGBT Hero

LGBT Hero

Supports LGBTQ+ people with trusted information, advice, and peer‑support on a wide range of issues, including mental health, sexual health, HIV, coming out, and discrimination.

Web: www.lgbthero.org.uk/

Website Online Self referral National Free
84. LGBT Youth Curriculum

LGBT Youth Curriculum

A comprehensive guide for Scottish schools to develop an LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum across all subject areas, aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence, providing pupils with meaningful opportunities to understand and engage with LGBTQ+ identities and experiences.

Web: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/media/1585/lgbtys-curriculum-inclusion.pdf

Website Download Online National Free
85. LGBT Youth Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland

Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQI young people, supporting 13–25 year olds with peer support, resources, education, and safe spaces. They deliver the LGBT Charter programme to schools and organisations, aiming to make Scotland the best place to grow up for LGBTQ+ youth.

Phone: 0141 552 7425

Web: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/

Website Download Online National Free
86. Lifelink No Text

Lifelink

A confidential counselling service accessed through West Dunbartonshire secondary schools, where young people can chat to a counsellor to help manage personal and social issues which may be affecting their life. 

Web: https://www.lifelink.org.uk/

Services & somewhere to go School Referral Local Free
91. Mermaids

Mermaids

Support for transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families. Mermaids has evolved into one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events and residential weekends.

Helpline number: 0808 801 0400

Web: www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/

Website Online Self referral National Free
107. NHS Inform With Text

NHS Inform

NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service helping the people in Scotland to make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for. Also includes a service directory with details of health and wellbeing services across Scotland.

Web: www.nhsinform.scot

Website Online National Free
125. Samaritans2

Samaritans

A 24 hour support service for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.

Web: www.samaritans.org

Helpline Online Self referral Telephone National Free
141. SHOUT

SHOUT Crisis text service

Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Helpline number: 85258 free text support service

Web: www.giveusashout.org/

Helpline Website Online Telephone National Free
154. The Mix

The Mix

The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.

Phone: 0808 808 4994

Web: www.themix.org.uk/

Website App Online Telephone National Free
156. The Proud Trust

The Proud Trust

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

Phone: 0161 660 3347

Web: www.theproudtrust.org/

Website Online National Free
Tullochan Logo OG

Tullochan

Tullochan supports both young people aged 5-25 and those aged 25+ through a range of development programmes delivered from our Tullochan Training Academy, within Primary/Secondary schools or through their Social Enterprises. Programmes such as Timber Transitions, Furniture Fix, Gardening & Landscaping, Personal Development, Work Placements within their cafe 'The Common Good', or Employability sessions are on offer, alongside LGBTQ+ Youth Action Group and High School Drop-in Youth Club. Their support allows young people and the wider community to improve their mental health and wellbeing, break down barriers and progress positively into education, employment or training.

Web: www.tullochan.org/

Website Services & somewhere to go Online Professional referral School Referral Self referral Telephone Local Free
195. Y Sort It

Y Sort it

Y Sort It youth centre provides a dedicated youth friendly space with various weekly youth activities offered throughout the West Dunbartonshire area, including support for young carers (10-25 years), peer mentoring for care experienced young people, Outreach Project (8-25 years), Intandem (ages of 8 and 14 and on a Compulsory Supervision Order) and Y Sort-It FUSION LGBT Youth Group for young people 25 years and under, and currently meets online.

Phone: 0141 941 3308

Web: www.ysortit.com/

Services & somewhere to go Self referral Local Free
Internet Matters Logo

Internet Matters

dedicated to helping children and young people aged 3-18 stay safe online. They provide free, expert-backed resources tailored to different ages, online activities, and specific needs, including support for neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and care-experienced children. Their tools include age-specific guides, conversation starters, and digital safety checklists, all designed to empower parents, carers, and professionals to navigate the digital world confidently 

Web: https://www.internetmatters.org/

Website Online National Free
Pink Parents Logo

Pink Parents

Information for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents and their families.

Web: https://www.pinkparents.org.uk/

Website Online National Free
Clydebank Can Logo

Clydebank Can

Clydebank Can is a community-based project that aims to bring to life the canal and bandstand area of Three Queen’s Square in Clydebank. It will bring more arts and leisure activities into the area for local people to enjoy, giving everyone in the community more opportunity to take part in events and activities which improve health and wellbeing, and increase social and economic activity in the area.

The website also contains a 'What's On' section with a wealth of information on local events, clubs, activities and more.

Web: https://www.clydebankcan.com/

Website Services & somewhere to go Online Local Free
Swan Scotland Logo

Swan Scotland

SWAN is a place for autistic women, girls and non-binary people to understand themselves better, connect with others, and learn from and support one another, without the stress of masking to fit in.

SWAN runs a range of events and activities, both in person and online, including local meet-up groups, online peer support, pre-and post-diagnosis groups, and wellbeing webinars.

All SWAN staff and volunteers are autistic and work hard to make SWAN a safe, welcoming and stress-free place for autistic women, girls and non-binary people.

Web: https://swanscotland.org/?

Website Online National Free
LGBT Traveller Pride Logo

LGBT Traveller Pride

LGBT Traveller Pride is are group made up of Travellers (used as inclusively as possible) who are LGBT+ (likewise) who want to provide a platform for their intersectional community. They act as a network that can provide guidance, support and information to make life easier for LGBT+ Travellers as well as providing essential services, meetup spaces and collaborating with​ other organisations to make them more welcoming to LGBT Travellers. 

Helpline number: 0800 233 5066 Mondays 5pm - 8.30pm

Web: https://www.lgbttravellerpride.com/

Website Online National Free
Shameless Youths Logo Final

Shameless Youths

Shameless Youths is a youth-led campaign which recognises the importance of supportive conversations between young people and the adults in their lives, particularly when it comes to being online and engaging in relationships online. These conversations need to be regular, judgement-free, informed and respectful... they need to be shameless.
Our aim is to promote positive conversations which support young people to understand what consenting and positive experiences online look like.
The campaign was developed in partnership between West Dunbartonshire Youth Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, NSPCC Scotland a steering group of local partners.

Web: https://www.wdhscp.org.uk/children/shameless-youths/

Website Online Local Free
129. 130. Scotland's Redress Scheme Scot Gov

Supporting transgender pupils in schools: guidance for education authorities and schools – revised

A Scottish Government publication providing non-statutory guidance for education authorities and schools on how to support transgender pupils, covering legal, policy and practical issues to promote safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments.

Web: https://www.gov.scot/publications/supporting-transgender-pupils-schools-guidance-education-authorities-schools-revised/

Website Online National Free
Outsidethebex Logo

Outside the Box

Outside the Box provides development support to groups and people across Scotland who want to make a difference in their communities.

They have loads of downloadable resources such as cost of living guides, info for LGBTIQ+ families, and human righths and equality.

Phone: 0141 419 0451

Web: https://otbds.org/

Online National Free