elop LGBTQ + Youth Mentoring

Here is some more information on the services we provide:

Youth Mentoring service provides individual sessions to support LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-24 with issues and concerns relevant to their lived experiences. This could include a space and opportunity to:
• explore their LGBTQ+ identities
• develop strategies to build and sustain confidence and self-acceptance
• develop coping mechanisms for future coming out, or dealing with anti-LGBTQ+ hate
• gain increased knowledge and information on sexual orientation and gender identities and/ or LGBTQ+ rights.
• gain confidence to attend elop youth groups and events
• Allocated a LGBT+ mentor

Our LGBTQ+ youth mentoring is not therapy or a clinical intervention and should not be used as an alternative should either be needed. Instead, mentoring is more flexible, and an informal space for topics suggested by the young people themselves. Our mentoring service is free and can be held via phone or online via Microsoft Teams until we fully return to a physical face-to-face service. Sessions are usually weekly for up to 6 months and last for up to one hour per session.

Youth Groups for LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-18. elop’s youth groups provide a safe, inclusive, and affirmative space to make friends, enjoy activities and share experiences with other LGBTQ+ young people. They run every Tuesday evening in Walthamstow at the following times.
· 12-15s 4.30–6.30pm
· 15-18s 7-9.00pm

LGBTQ+ Youth activities and events programme. Any young person who has registered is open to our youth activities and events programme. This is free LGBT+ events such as board game cafes, meetups, bowling, films, LGBT+ specific activities
Counselling: for under 18s, or low-cost for over 18s. This is talking therapy with a counsellor, and this service currently has a waitlist.

How to register for an elop service for LGBTQ+ young people?
You can register by email or phone: youth@elop.org calling 07720 461 158 (elop Youth line).

*First ever UK qualifying counsellor training course in Integrative LGBTQ+ Affirmative Counselling*
Next entry September 2025: email advanced-diploma@elop.org for course information & application pack
2-year Advanced Diploma in Integrative LGBTQ+ Affirmative Counselling
plus
Foundation Certificate in LGBTQ+ Affirmative Counselling
NCPS (National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society) quality checked course.
2 entries/ year; March & September: email training@elop.org for course information & application pack

elop Quick Connect: a monthly 1-hour meet-up session for organisations & professional who want to network, hear more
about elop services, referrals, and our CPD training programme etc. email admin@elop.org for forthcoming dates & ticket link