Find out how BBC Children in Need supports young people with their gender and sexual identity
BBC Children in Need currently funds 30 projects across the UK that work with young people affected by issues related to gender and sexual identity.
Our funding supports LGBTQ+ young people to develop a sense of belonging and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Through a range of activities like group support, mentoring and advice, young people develop a better understanding of themselves and increase their confidence, self esteem and resilience. They become better able to deal with stress, which leads to an overall improvement of their mental health, and a reduction in self-harm.
On this page, we’ve put together a selection of helpful resources that focus on providing gender and sexual identity support for young people and adults, along with age-appropriate programmes and videos.
Helpful resources and support services
Resources for children and young people
Resources for children and young people
- A supportive initiative offering online resources to help young people understand what they’re feeling, providing advice for the individual and for the important people in their life.
- Trying to understand your sexuality can be confusing sometimes. If you’re struggling to cope or you’re not sure what to do next, Childline have got advice to help.
Stonewall: Children and Young People’s Services Champions programme
- Stonewall is a leading organisation championing LGBTQ+ rights and offering support for “lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people everywhere”. Their Children and Young People’s Services (CYPS) Champions work with local authorities and other community leaders to improve provision for LGBTQ+ youth.
Resources for adults
Resources for adults
- A supportive initiative offering online resources to help young people understand what they’re feeling, providing advice for the individual and for the important people in their life.
Stonewall: Resources for teachers and community leaders
- This toolkit from leading LGBTQ+ rights organisation Stonewall provides best practice guidance and excellent resources for adults in positions of authority.
Support services
Support services
- Phone: 0300 330 0630 (open 10:00-22:00 every day)
- Email: [email protected] (emails are typically replied to within 72 hours)
- Vital resources focusing on LGBTQ+ youth homelessness.
- A mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people.
- Useful contacts for LGBTQ+ mental health support, curated by the charity Mind.
- Phone and email support, offering brief interventions, advice, emotional support and signposting for people of all ages within the LGBTQ+ community.
- Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30
- Email: [email protected]
