LGBT Health and Wellbeing

What LGBT Health and Wellbeing does

LGBT Health and Wellbeing is a Scottish registered charity (SC034216, "The LGBT Healthy Living Centre") founded in 2003 that traces its operational lineage to the 1974 Lothian Gay and Lesbian Switchboard helpline. It is the dedicated LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing organisation in Scotland, delivering free and donation-based services across two offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow and via community groups throughout the country.

The portfolio is service-led rather than technology-led and has no proprietary software product. Core offerings comprise the LGBT Helpline Scotland (0800 464 7000, live chat and email), one-to-one mental health support, LGBTQ+-affirming counselling (suggested £30 donation per session, market ~£60, with refugees/asylum seekers exempt), and a range of specialist programmes for trans and non-binary people, LGBTQ+ elders (60+), LGBTQ+ New Scots (asylum seekers and refugees), LGBTQ+ carers and people affected by conversion practices. The charity also runs Scotland's first community Trans and Non-Binary Sexual Health Clinic in Lothian (with Lothian Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, Waverley Care and LGBT Youth Scotland), an Inclusive Care Charter Mark accreditation (Bronze/Silver/Gold) for external care providers, the "Queer Scot" interactive community map, and a resource library of research and toolkits.

The revenue model is donations-driven: one-off and monthly individual donations (with Gift Aid), community fundraising events, legacy giving, and counselling donations. Free services and £30 suggested counselling donations mean most of the income base comes from voluntary contributions. Distribution is community-led: an 0800 helpline, two physical offices, 22 supported volunteer-led community groups, 340+ events in 2025 and online resources. The charity reaches a primarily Scottish LGBTQ+ adult population (16+) segmented into general, trans/non-binary, elders, New Scots and carers cohorts, backed by 20+ paid staff and 150+ volunteers.

Name

LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Legal name

The LGBT Healthy Living Centre

Website

https://lgbthealth.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Scottish registered charity (SC034216) delivering free and donation-based LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing services across Scotland, including a helpline, counselling, mental health support, trans/elder/New Scots/carer programmes and Scotland's first community trans sexual health clinic.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LGBTQ+ Community Health and Wellbeing Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Health & Support Communities (BPAMABAL), Sexual Health & Relationship Wellness Education (EDAAAHAM)

Keywords

• LGBTQ+ support services
• Mental health counselling
• Community health charity
• Sexual health clinic
• Helpline services

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: One-off and monthly donations from individuals, with Gift Aid claimable for UK taxpayers (25% extra on each pound donated).
2. Fundraising: Community fundraising activities including sponsored events (marathons, Kiltwalk), pub quizzes, drag bingo, office cake sales, workplace fundraising, celebration fundraisers, birthday fundraisers on Facebook, and in-memory fundraisers.
3. Legacy Giving: Legacies and bequests left in wills to support ongoing work.
4. Counselling Donations: Donation-based counselling service with suggested £30 per session ( Edinburgh or Glasgow counselling typically costs around £60). Refugees and asylum seekers who cannot access public funds do not need to donate.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LGBT Health and Wellbeing is a queer-led Scottish charity providing a portfolio of free, community-based LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing services, including a confidential helpline, LGBTQ+-affirming counselling, mental health support, specialist services for trans/non-binary people, elders, refugees/asylum seekers and carers, a trans and non-binary sexual health clinic, an events programme, a network of community groups, and an inclusive care accreditation scheme. Most services are free at point of use, with counselling offered on a donation basis.

Product overview

LGBT Health and Wellbeing is Scotland's LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing charity, offering a portfolio of interconnected support services rather than a single software product. The core offering consists of the LGBT Helpline Scotland (phone, live chat, email) providing emotional support, alongside structured Mental Health Support and LGBTQ+-affirming Counselling (including Art Psychotherapy from August 2026). Specialist services address specific communities: Trans and Non-Binary Support, LGBTQ+ Elders Support, LGBTQ+ New Scots Support (for asylum seekers and refugees), LGBTQ+ Carers Support, and Conversion Practices Support. The organisation also operates Scotland's first community Trans and Non-Binary Sexual Health Clinic in Edinburgh. A growing community programme includes What's On events (35+ free LGBTQ+ events monthly) and 22+ Community Groups (from sports to support groups), supported by a Resource Library of research publications and toolkits. A notable initiative is the Inclusive Care Charter Mark, an accreditation programme for care providers. The Queer Scot interactive map extends the ecosystem as a community resource. The organisation was founded in 2003 and traces its heritage to Scotland's first LGBTQ+ helpline established in 1974.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LGBT Helpline Scotland A confidential helpline offering emotional support and information from volunteers trained in LGBTQ+ identities, accessible by phone (0800 464 7000), live chat, and email, with specific opening hours across weekdays and Sundays. Free at point of use.
• Mental Health Support

Quantifiable outcome

• 370 people received counselling
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Lothian Sexual and Reproductive Health ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide Scotland's first community sexual health clinic specifically for trans and non-binary people in Lothian. Services include STI testing, contraception, PrEP support, and cervical screening delivered in a safe, affirming environment.
• Waverley CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the trans and non-binary sexual health clinic in Lothian. Waverley Care provides HIV support and prevention services including PrEP information and support.
• LGBT Youth ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the trans and non-binary sexual health clinic in Lothian. Contributes to providing inclusive sexual health services for young trans and non-binary people.
• VOCAL Carers CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Carewell Partnership providing support and information to carers in Edinburgh. VOCAL offers benefits and advice services, and LGBT Health and Wellbeing is a partner in their voucher scheme for carers.
• Health in MindsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Carewell Partnership offering peer support and courses to support carer mental health and wellbeing in Edinburgh.
• MILAN Senior WelfaresecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Carewell Partnership delivering services to older people and unpaid carers from South Asian communities in Edinburgh.
• The Eric Liddell CommunitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Carewell Partnership. The Eric Liddell Centre runs the Liddell Lions Lunch Break weekly group for people with dementia and their carers in Morningside, Edinburgh.
• Turn2Us Edinburgh TrustsecondaryOthersLGBT Health and Wellbeing is a referral partner for Turn2Us Edinburgh Trust grants. LGBTQ+ carers with income under £16,000 per year may be referred for a £1,500 payment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Stonewall UK: Largest UK LGBTQ+ rights organization with national campaigning, workplace inclusion programmes, and policy influence. Comparable advocacy remit and LGBTQ+ brand position, but operates at significantly greater scale and a wider remit beyond Scotland.
• Terrence Higgins Trust: UK's largest HIV and sexual health charity, with which LGBT Health and Wellbeing has historical staff cross-over (Mitch previously worked there). Overlap on sexual health (PrEP, STI testing) service line and LGBTQ+ beneficiary population.

Direct peers

• Waverley Care: Scotland-based HIV and sexual health charity providing PrEP and HIV prevention support. Active partnership with LGBT Health and Wellbeing on the Trans and Non-Binary Sexual Health Clinic, with overlapping LGBT health focus and Scotland-wide reach.
• SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health): Scotland's national mental health charity providing information, support, and services. Comparable on mental wellbeing service line and Scotland-wide geography, though broader in scope and not LGBTQ+-specific.
• LGBT Foundation: Manchester-based LGBTQ+ charity running a helpline, counselling, community programmes and advocacy. Closely comparable service mix (helpline, counselling, trans support, community groups) and free-at-point-of-use charity model.
• LGBT Youth Scotland: Scotland's national LGBTQ+ youth organization and partner in the Trans and Non-Binary Sexual Health Clinic. Directly comparable on geography, community-led service delivery, and advocacy model for Scottish LGBTQ+ wellbeing.
• akt (formerly Albert Kennedy Trust): UK charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness or hostile environments. Comparable in LGBTQ+ youth support focus, beneficiary demographics, and free direct-service charity model.
• Switchboard LGBT: UK-wide LGBTQ+ helpline providing emotional support by phone, email and chat. The most direct comparability is on the helpline service line — both organizations operate confidential listening lines staffed largely by trained volunteers for the same beneficiary population.
• Scottish Trans Alliance: Scottish equality and human rights coalition supporting trans people, with overlapping policy/advocacy remit on trans healthcare access. Direct comparable for trans-specific support services and Scottish policy influencing.
• Equality Network: Scottish LGBTI equality and human rights charity and co-signatory of the Scottish LGBTQIA+ Manifesto 2026-2031. Closely comparable on Scotland-based LGBTQ+ policy, advocacy, and research remit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/lgbthealthy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lgbt-health-and-wellbeing
• Instagraminstagram.com/lgbt_healthy
• Xx.com/lgbthealthy

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about LGBT Health and Wellbeing