LGBTQ+ young people and their families

This page gives you advice about what support is available for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQ+) young people and their families.

The 4U, 4Me and 4Us Youth Groups exist in the city to support children and young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender variant or who are questioning their gender identity or sexuality.

An experienced, skilled youth team offers a weekly youth group in a safe, secure and supportive environment. There are activities each week designed to help to improve self-esteem, give young people a social outlet in which to make new friends and to provide information to support them as they move into adulthood.

To access the groups, the child, young person or family member will first need to have a conversation with our Specialist Support Worker to establish if the group is right for them, or whether alternative support would be more suitable. To arrange time to speak with the team, email lgbtyoungpeople@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or to make a referral complete the referral form with the appropriate contact details of the young person, parent or their support worker.

• For 13-19 year-olds: There is 4U Youth Group. Tuesdays 6pm – 9pm
• For 18-25 year-olds: There is the 4Me Youth Group. Thursdays 7pm – 9pm.
• For Under 13s & Parents & Carers: There is the 4Us Group. Alternate Mondays 5pm -7.30pm. This is an alternated learning and peer support group, with a facilitated youth group for under 13s once a month.

The Youth Group space has step-free access and an accessible toilet, although some of the hallways are quite narrow. If you have any questions about access, please contact us for more information and we will be happy to help.

The following links are useful for young people, parents and professionals:

• Allsorts – Allsorts Youth Project produces a wide range of publications for young people and professionals, organisations & groups working with LGBT+ Youth.
• Beyond Reflections (formerly Chrysalis)– Beyond Reflections support trans, non-binary and questioning adults, their families and friends. They run support groups in Portsmouth and also offer training services for businesses and organisations.
• The Gender Identity Development service – The only clinic in the country for children and young people aged under 18 who are trans, gender variant or exploring their gender identity.
• Gendered Intelligence – Work with trans / gender variant young people nationally through professional and educational services, youth & communities services, and public engagement to improve knowledge and understanding around gender identity.
• Kooth – a free online counselling and wellbeing support service available to all 11-25-year-olds in Portsmouth. There are no waiting lists or referrals, and young people can access a variety of support including discussion boards with other members and advice from trained staff.
• Social, emotional and mental health guidance – Designed for families and professionals, there is clear information and advice to help children and young people access the right mental health support at the right time. There is also information for children and young people to read themselves.
• Y Services – Support for LGBT young people in Havant, Fareham and Gosport.
• Young Stonewall – An LGBT rights charity, working with policy-makers and organisations to improve equality and the lives of LGBT people in the UK and abroad.
• Equality and human rights – Information on protections for LGB and Trans people under the Equality Act 2010.
• Changing your name – Government advice on changing your name legally
  
  

For professionals

• LGBT youth in care – Information for professionals and carers on how to support LGBT young people in care.
• Stonewall have produced a range of lesson packs and resources for primary, secondary, mainstream and specialist settings
• The LGBT+ History website has resources such as teaching packs and toolkits that cover lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity across the curriculum.

More resources

• Young Stonewall – 10 events from LGBT history
• Stonewall have created an updated list of LGBTQ+ inclusive books for children and young people
• TED – Love is love – seven personal stories of love and commitment in the LGBTQ community