The holiday season can be a really difficult time for many in our community – but you don’t have to go through it alone.
We’ve pulled together a list of helpline services and articles, including LGBTQ+ support, that are available during the festive period.
LGBT Foundation
0345 3 30 30 30
The LGBT Foundation is available between 9am until 6pm on weekdays and between 10am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays (excluding bank holidays and religious festivals).
MindOut
Online chat
MindOut is a mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people.
Their online chat is available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday over Christmas and New Year from 3pm-5pm.
They are also open on additional dates:
- Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December) – 3-5pm
- Boxing Day (Friday 26 December) – 3-5pm
- New Year’s Day (Thursday 1 January) – 3-5pm
Switchboard LGBTQIA+ Helpline
0800 0119 100
Switchboard is a national support line, open to anyone in the UK.
Switchboard is open every day from 10am until 10pm via phone, instant messaging and email at hello@switchboard.lgbt.
Black and Brown Rainbow
0800 054 1097
A peer-led freephone service for Black and brown LGBTQ+ people.
Their helpline opening hours are every Monday and Wednesday from 6-8pm.
Galop
0800 999 5428
Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. They work with and for LGBTQ+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence.
Their helpline will be open at reduced hours and closed during the bank holidays.
- Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December – 9:15am-8pm
- Wednesday 24 December – 9:15am-4:30pm
- Thursday 25 December and Friday 26 December – closed
- Monday 29 December – 9:15am-8pm
- Tuesday 30 December – 9:15am-8pm
- Wednesday 31 December – 9:15am-4:30pm
- Thursday 1 January – closed
- Friday 2 January – 9:15am-4:30p[m
akt
akt supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness, or living in a hostile environment.
They’ve created an extensive list of supportive resources over the festive period.
Mindline Trans+
0300 330 5468
Mindline Trans+ is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline and signposting service for people who identify as trans, a gender, gender fluid and non-binary.
Their helpline is available on Friday evenings (8-11pm).
TRUK Listens
0800 009 6640
TRUK Listens is a trans support helpline, run by a team of volunteers. They’re available from 8pm to 12am every day.
Samaritans
116 123
Samaritans work to make sure there’s always someone there for anyone who needs support.
They’re open during the whole of the festive period, 24 hours a day. You can reach them via their free helpline or email at jo@samaritans.org.
CALM
0800 58 58 58
CALM runs a free helpline and webchat for anyone struggling or in crisis.
Their helpline is available every day, including Christmas, from 5pm to 12am.
They’ve also shared tips on getting through an anxious Christmas.
Age UK
0800 678 1602
Age UK is the leading charity for older people.
They have several helplines offering support over the holidays, including their Advice Line open from 8am-7pm.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline
0800 689 5652
National Suicide Prevention Helpline support anyone who may be struggling with their mental health and/or thoughts of suicide.
Their helpline is open every day from 6pm until 12am.
Mind
0300 123 3393
Mind is a leading mental health charity, supporting people across England and Wales.
During the Christmas and New Year period, local and national Mind services will operate at different hours.
Their helplines will be closed on:
- Wednesday 24 December – closing at 2pm
- Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day)
- Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)
- Thursday 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Mind Southwark info and advice service is also closed until Friday 2 January. Queer Minds will be running as usual throughout the holiday period, which includes their regular meetup groups.
You can view further South East London Mind service opening times here.
Papyrus (under 35)
0800 068 4141
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
HOPELINE247 is their helpline service, offering confidential support throughout the year. You can either call, text 88247 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Their lines are available 24 hours every day.
The Mix (under 25)
0808 808 4994
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people.
They can offer help through their 1-2-1 chat or crisis messaging service, which is available 7 days a week. Text THEMIX to 85258 for crisis support.
Mermaids
0808 801 0400
Mermaids helpline is closed from Wednesday 24 December at 6pm and reopening on Friday 2 January at 1pm. Their helpline and webchat are available from 1pm-8:30pm before Wednesday 24 December.
Shout
They’re open throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day.
They can provide a confidential, and anonymous mental health support service, available via text messaging or their webchat 24 hours a day.
- Text SHOUT to 85258
- Text YM if you’re under 19
Shelter
0808 800 4444
Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services.
Their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. They’re closed on weekends and bank holidays.
They use an interpreter service. If you need an interpreter when you contact them, tell the adviser on the phone.
Crisis
Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness.
They run day centres available from Wednesday 24 December – Sunday 28 December 2025 in Paddington, Stratford and Pimlico.
Trussell Trust
0808 208 2138
The Trussell Trust support a network of food banks across the country.
Their food bank opening hours may differ over the Christmas period. You can check support for your local food bank here. They also operate a helpline service, which reopens on Friday 2 January.
If you need immediate support in a life-threatening emergency, ring 999.
Articles
- A therapist’s guide to navigating the festive season as a queer person
- Queer Christmas: a care guide for LGBTQ+ people
- LGBTQ+ guide for surviving Christmas with a bigoted family
- Supporting LGBTQ+ people over the festive season
If you need further crisis support, view this directory of signposting services.
The Centre is closed from Thursday 25 December and will reopen on Wednesday 7 January. During this time we won’t be monitoring our emails or replying to DM’s and comments on social media.