London's oldest LGBT charity#
London Friend was set up in 1972 and calls itself the UK's oldest lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans charity. It works on the health and mental wellbeing of LGBT people in and around London, and its services are delivered by trained LGBT volunteers. Its registered name is Friend Counselling (London) Ltd. Three strands run through its work: counselling, social and support groups, and Antidote, which it describes as the UK's oldest LGBT drug and alcohol service.
Groups you can walk in to#
Most face-to-face groups meet at its offices at 86 Caledonian Road, and most need no sign-up. Among them:
- T on Tuesday, a social group for trans and non-binary people and anyone exploring their gender, on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month in the evening.
- A Friday drop-in for all LGBT people, late morning, with free refreshments.
- Coming out groups: Changes for women and Turning Point for gay and bisexual men.
- Creative groups, such as a writing group and a theatre and storytelling group, and groups for LGBTQ+ people over 50.
It asks people to check its social media for changes or cancellations before setting out.
Counselling and its waiting list#
One-to-one counselling is for LGBTIQ people and anyone questioning their sexuality or gender identity, about anything, LGBTIQ-related or not. It runs for 12 weeks with a volunteer counsellor who is qualified or training, and every counsellor identifies as LGBTIQ. It asks for a regular contribution based on income, agreed at assessment. Demand is high: the page gives a waiting list of around five months and suggests its groups, or Switchboard, in the meantime. London Friend closed its own evening helpline in 2015 and now points people to Switchboard LGBT+.
A name in daily life before it is on paper#
London Friend has no pages on deed polls, documents or ID. Its information covers mental health, coming out, chemsex and drugs, app safety and support for friends and family. Where it can help is the part before and around a formal change: a group where you are known by the name you choose, or counselling while you decide.
When you are ready for the paperwork, these pages take over:
- Can I use a different name without changing it legally?: what a "known as" name can and cannot do.
- Changing your name with the NHS and your GP: one request to your practice updates your NHS record.
- Charities for trans and non-binary people: the charities that publish name guides.
Nobody has to approve an adult's new name: GOV.UK's deed poll guide gives free wording, and enrolling the deed is optional.
This page describes what London Friend publishes on its own website, read on 26 October 2026. London Friend has not reviewed it, and including it in this list does not mean it recommends this handbook or any deed poll service.
