MK Storehouse
We’ve teamed up with MK Storehouse.
Our Trans* and non-binary local community told us they wanted safe spaces to explore identity, clothes, accessories, helping to augment their experience of projecting their authentic selves. People are on a beautiful spectrum and it is challenging to find clothing stores that are equipped to provide a platform for experimentation and freedom. You told us the cost associated with trial and error and the weight of this feat on self-esteem is debilitating.
What we’ve done:
Q:alliance have teamed up with MK Storehouse, providing a *new* referral pathway and exclusive appointments to trans* and non-binary community members every Wednesday in term-time between 10-12 noon. Starting next week 21st June MK Storehouse provide donated clothing for trans and non-binary adults and young people free of charge with a referral from Q:alliance.
Support:
We are looking for volunteers to help support community members arriving on Wednesday mornings and strengthen this new partnership. Q:alliance will be supporting MK Storehouse with training, helping to ensure the space is safe and welcoming. We are also appealing to our community and allies to support by donating clothes and accessories. Donation sessions are at the storehouse on Tuesday mornings between 10:00am and 12:00pm, term time only. Refer to our website for details.
If you would like an appointment, please message us to request a referral (no self-referrals).
If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail Operations Manager jenn@qalliance.org.uk
https://www.mkstorehouse.org/
Low Cost Counselling
Our Counselling service is offered by John Goss, who has been involved in Q:alliance in various ways for a number of years.
John has a wealth of experience working with LGBTQ+ clients.
Sessions can take place via Zoom, or Face to Face (in Bletchley) and are charged at £35.00 per 50-minute session. For the first 8 sessions, £5.00 of the session fee will be donated to Q:alliance.
For more information, you can contact John Goss directly, using the details below.
Phone: 07776 153 426
Email: Counselling@qalliance.org.uk
Mental Health
If you are in crisis and need immediate support for your mental health and/or feel that you are unable to keep yourself safe you can contact:
The Samaritans
24 hour confidential emotional support for anyone in crisis.
T: 116 123 (free from any phone)
Stay Alive App
Information & mobile app that includes resources, information and help for anyone contemplating suicide.
Milton Keynes CAMHS
If a child or young person is experiencing a crisis that requires an emergency response, the CAMHS Liaison and Intensive Support Team (LIST) operate out of the Milton Keynes University Hospital 24/7 365 days a year and can be accessed via the A&E department.
If you feel that you cannot keep yourself safe, please dial 999 and ask the operator for an ambulance, or go to your nearest A&E department.
If you are not in crisis but would like some support with your mental health, the following organisations may be able to help:
Young Minds
Young Minds are looking to make sure young people get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.
YiS Youth Counselling Service
YiS provide free and confidential counselling for young people aged 11-21 who live, learn or work in Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes Recovery and Wellbeing College
The Milton Keynes Recovery and Wellbeing College provides a range of co-produced educational courses, workshops and resources to people who use CNWL services, their supporters including friends, family or carers and CNWL staff and is also open to anyone over 18 years of age with a GP in Milton Keynes. All courses and workshops are designed by people with professional experience of mental health and people with lived experience of mental health and contribute towards wellbeing and recovery and are co-delivered by clinical and peer recovery trainers.
Social Prescribing
This service works alongside people who may be feeling isolated and need some help to manage their day to day living and access support.
Young Person Social Prescription
Young Person Social Prescription (YPSP) provides guided support for young people to help improve their health and emotional wellbeing through the Life Hacks programme. Typical engagement consists of a number of sessions which can be a mixture of phone calls, virtual and face to face meetings, spread over a period of 12 weeks and may include funding to access community based activities. Sessions are guided and coordinated by a Community Link Worker in collaboration with the young person and their family or support network.
Currently only young people aged 11-18 who attend one of these surgeries Milton Keynes can be referred by speaking to their GP:
• Red House Surgery
• Whaddon Medical Centre
• Cobbs Garden Surgery
• Water Eaton
Sexual Health
MK Sexual Health
Offers a wide range of Sexual Health and Contraceptive services provided by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. All of our services are completely free and confidential.
Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) work in partnership with Cambridge Community Services NHS Trust (CCS), to provide all sexual health services in Milton Keynes, under the name iCaSH (Integrated Contraception and Sexual Health).
All of the services we currently offer are FREE to those living and working in Milton Keynes.
iCaSH provide all clinical services and THT provide community based sexual health services including: Education for 13- 24-year-olds, Professionals Training, Chlamydia Screening, HIV Testing & C-Card (free condoms).
Sexual Health Education for 13 to 24 year olds includes; a 1:1 programme of early intervention for young people who require education around sexual health and relationships. Any professional can refer a young person into this service, or you can refer yourself – via this link – https://www.tht.org.uk/young-person-referral-form-milton-keynes
We also offer a Young Person’s Drop in clinic within the iCaSH clinic on a Tuesday – between 16:30 and 19:00 – as well as a separate HIV testing clinic at the same time.
If you would like any further information regarding our outreach, training or to book a slot on our Tuesday clinic, please contact us at Info.MiltonKeynes@tht.org.uk OR visit https://www.tht.org.uk/centres-and-services/milton-keynes for more information on our services.
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault
MK ACT is a charity in Milton Keynes which works with over 100 families’ every day to help them move on from fear and abuse. We have been providing access to safe, emergency accommodation in Milton Keynes for people and their children escaping domestic violence for over 45 years. Our specialist advisors offer support including information and guidance, emotional support, access to health, housing and legal advice, survivor support groups and recovery programmes.
T: 0344 375 4307
GALOP LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Emotional and practical support for LGBT+ people experiencing domestic abuse. Abuse isn’t always physical- it can be psychological, emotional, financial and sexual too. Speak out, don’t suffer in silence.
T: 0800 999 5428
E: help@galop.org.uk
SAASS BMK supports survivors of sexual and domestic violence of all genders from age 16 upwards. We offer information, advice and guidance, 1:1 counselling, support groups, peer drop-in groups and advocacy for those engaging with the criminal justice system. All our services are free of charge, trans-inclusive and can be delivered online or face to face in our central Milton Keynes office.
Young People
MAKE – Milton Keynes Arts Education (make-miltonkeynes.org)
National LGBTQ+ Services
Switchboard
Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email and through Instant Messaging.
T: 0300 330 0630
E: chris@switchboard.lgbt
Stonewall
Stonewall campaigns for the equality of lesbian, gay, bi and trans people across Britain.
Stonewall Housing
Stonewall Housing works to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people live in safer homes, free from fear, and where we can celebrate our identity and support each other to achieve our full potential.
Terrence Higgins Trust
The UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity. We support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using our services to achieve good sexual health.
T: 0808 802 1221
Hidayah
Hidayah is a nationwide organisation for LGBTQI+ Muslims in the United Kingdom. They campaign for social justice to defeat the stigma, taboo and discrimination faced by many and to give LGBTQI+ Muslims a voice and visibility to gain social acceptance and change.
Two:23
Two:23 is a network of Christians, connected by LGBT (Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) issues. Their vision is to create a space where absolutely everyone is welcome, whoever you are and wherever you’re at in terms of church or issues of sexuality and sexual identity.
LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
New Family Social
New Family Social are the only UK charity led by LGBT+ adopters and foster carers. They work with agencies to develop their service delivery and to make the pool of potential parents as wide as possible for the many children in care. New Family Social also offer a peer support network to those at any point in their fostering or adoption journey.
Deaf LGBTQIA UK
Deaf LGBTQIA UK look to provide information and advice to support deaf people coming out and/or identify with LGBTIQA.
Trans Support
GIRES
GIRES is a volunteer operated membership charity that, in collaboration with the other groups in its field, hears, helps, empowers and gives a voice to trans and gender non-conforming individuals, including those who are non-binary and non-gender, as well as their families.
TranzWiki
TranzWiki is a comprehensive directory of the groups campaigning for, supporting or assisting trans and gender non-conforming individuals, including those who are non-binary and non-gender, as well as their families across the UK.
Gendered Intelligence – Knowledge is Power
A collection of information and resources on all aspects of transition. Contains useful links and information on changing documents, including passport and driving licence.
MindLine Trans+
MindLine Trans+is a confidential emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as Trans, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary. They also support family members and friends and to provide signposting to other services and resources.
T: 0300 330 5468
TMSA-UK
TMSA-UK are a UK based support group for all those who identify as Trans Masculine, Non-Binary and Gender Variant AFAB people, which is run via a social media platform by a committee of volunteers. They offer our members peer-to-peer support, and detailed advice on every relevant subject ranging from law to how to bind safely.
Mermaids
Mermaids supports children and young people up to 20 years old who are transgender and/or gender diverse, and their families, and professionals involved in their care.
T: 0808 801 0400
The Angels
The Angels discussion forum is an informative forum that has a section specifically for people transitioning to share information about medical and legal matters.
Intersex Support
The UKIA is an education, advocacy, campaigning, and support organisation which works on behalf of Intersex people.
The Organisation Intersex International in the United Kingdom is part of a global network supporting Intersex people, friends, and their allies.
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Don’t see what you need here? Know of another local or national LGBTQ+ focused (or friendly) service we should be linking to? If you would like your group or organisation listed here or have found an error, please contact us at jay@qalliance.org.uk
Q:alliance is not responsible for the content for external sites.