Who we are

Notts LGBT+ Network is a registered charity, run entirely by unpaid volunteers . Based in central Nottingham, we have been offering support and advice to the county’s LGBT+ community, their friends and family, as well as local organisations and businesses, since 1975.

Our network creates a safe space for people looking for information, advice and help relating to LGBT+ issues, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. We primarily work with over 18’s but we are able to signpost to organisations who work with under 18’s

We are proud to say that we have been able to help over 80,000 people since the network started and partnered with more than 100 groups and organisations across Nottinghamshire to raise awareness of LGBT+ issues.

Our aims

To provide information and support for:
- Members of the LGBT+ community in Nottinghamshire.
- Anyone seeking support with sexuality / gender identity.
- Friends, family or colleagues of the above.
- Organisations and businesses looking for information on LGBT+ issues.
To provide a comprehensive database of advice services, charities and organisations in Nottinghamshire that offer support to LGBT+ people.
To promote and support LGBT+ social groups and clubs in Nottinghamshire.
To work in partnership with organisations who share our commitment to the LGBT+ community in Nottinghamshire and have similar aims.
To offer training and support to our volunteers, as well as organisations and businesses across Nottinghamshire.

How we can help

Meet our Trustees

Our Board of Trustees oversee the governance and day-to-day running of the charity, alongside our amazing volunteers. We have recently changed over our Board of Trustees and their bios are being written.

Naomi

I’m Naomi, I’m from the Netherlands and moved to the United Kingdom about seven years ago, and have lived in Nottingham ever since! I have been part of the Network for a few years now, and I am incredibly passionate about helping is grow and looking after our volunteers. It has taught me so much about what is going on around Nottingham, and I love being more involved in the community! In the Network, we are always working on fostering connections, and seeing people come together and feeling supported makes every minute spend on it entirely worth it.
David

I’ve worked in higher education for almost 30 years, moving around the UK and working overseas in a variety of roles. I’m delighted to have joined the Board of Trustees as Treasurer in the year that the Network celebrates its 50^th anniversary, and look forward to helping plan a sustainable path for our future. Notts LGBT+ Network has made a significant contribution to our community not only directly through its own half-century of providing support and advice from its first inception as Switchboard, but also through promoting and signposting the fantastic work done across the county by other groups and organisations. I’m keen to develop this focus on partnership and collaboration even further in the years ahead.
Simon

I was very happy to become a Nottingham local in 2022 after a life down South – bringing along with me a dog, a cat and a husband! When I’m working, I spend my time with people, teams and organisations focusing on their development. In terms of the Network, I have a vivid memory of why I believe it to be so important. I remember calling what was then the London Gay Switchboard maybe 20 times one month – and hanging up each time I heard a human voice. I just wanted to know if someone was there. And then one day, I spoke to someone. It was life-changing to be honest – speaking to someone else gay, which I couldn’t imagine in a small village in East Anglia. That’s still the fuel for my energy around supporting others in our community, and our core support services – just one connection can be life changing.
Rachel

Bio TBC