Switchboard
Switchboard is a UK registered charity operating the country's national LGBTQIA+ support line, providing free confidential listening via phone, chat, and email through LGBTQIA+ volunteer listeners, supplemented by corporate training and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Switchboard does
Switchboard is a UK registered charity (registered charity number 296193, headquartered in London) that operates the UK's national LGBTQIA+ support line, providing free, confidential listening and information services via telephone (0800 0119 100), instant messaging, and email between 10am and 10pm, 365 days a year. Founded on March 4, 1974 as London Gay Switchboard, it has handled over 4 million conversations across its 50+ year history. The service is staffed entirely by trained LGBTQIA+ volunteer listeners who share lived experience of the community, with specialist cohorts for Over 50s, Trans & Non-Binary, and People of Colour volunteers. The majority of service users are aged 18–40, and approximately 77% are located outside London based on disclosed location data.
The charity runs two principal activities: a grant-free, donation-funded Listening Service (it explicitly states it does not receive government funding for the listening service), and a growing B2B Talks and Training Programme that sells Lunch & Learn, half-day, and full-day corporate modules on LGBTQIA+ inclusion, active listening, challenging bias, and inclusive leadership, available online or in-person. Complementary products include the award-winning Log Books podcast, the annual Listen Up! insights report (covering 17,000+ conversations in 2025), the Every Conversation Counts Pride campaign, and visibility-driven event partnerships such as the Elite Ice Hockey League national charity partnership and the Speedo-sponsored Pride Swim Big Dip.
Underlying delivery technology is standard helpline infrastructure (phone system, live webchat, email) and a website (switchboard.lgbt) designed and developed by GRM Digital — there is no proprietary software product, mobile app, API, or AI/ML capability disclosed. Revenue mechanics are decentralised individual donations and fundraising (Friends of Switchboard, legacy gifts, event fundraising) supplemented by corporate training fees and event sponsorships, with no venture funding, parent company, or government grants supporting the listening service.
Switchboard firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Switchboard
- Legal name
- Switchboard LGBT+ (registered charity number 296193)
- Website
- https://switchboard.lgbt
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Switchboard is a UK registered charity operating the country's national LGBTQIA+ support line, providing free confidential listening via phone, chat, and email through LGBTQIA+ volunteer listeners, supplemented by corporate training and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Switchboard industry classification
Industry- Product category
- LGBTQIA+ Support Helpline Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)
Keywords
Where Switchboard is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Switchboard business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Switchboard relies entirely on public donations and fundraising activities to fund its operations. The organization explicitly states it does not receive any government funding. Fundraising mechanisms include regular giving programs (Friends of Switchboard), legacy gifts, event fundraising, and general public donations.
- Corporate Talks and Training: Switchboard offers paid corporate training sessions to organizations, including Lunch & Learn presentations, Half Day workshops, and comprehensive training programs covering active listening, challenging bias, inclusive leadership, LGBTQIA+ history, and Pride education. Sessions are available online or in-person.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free Support Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels15 records
Switchboard product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Switchboard operates the UK's national LGBTQIA+ support line, providing free, confidential, non-judgemental listening and information via telephone (0800 0119 100), webchat, and email, staffed by trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers 10am–10pm, 365 days a year. The charity also sells a corporate Talks and Training Programme covering active listening, challenging bias, inclusive leadership, LGBTQIA+ history, Pride, and coming out for organisations seeking to build more inclusive workplaces.
Product overview
Switchboard operates as a single unified service offering: a confidential LGBTQIA+ support line staffed by volunteer listeners available via phone, instant message, and email (10am-10pm daily). The core listening service is free and provides non-judgemental support to LGBTQIA+ individuals, their friends, families, and allies. Complementing this, Switchboard offers a 'Talks and Training' programme for organisations comprising bite-sized talks (LGBTQIA+ History, Pride Today, Coming Out) and practical training modules (Active Listening, Challenging Bias, Inclusive Leadership), available in Lunch & Learn (one hour), Half Day, or full-day formats, online or in-person. Switchboard also publishes the annual Listen Up! Report summarising insights from service conversations, and runs the 'Every Conversation Counts' Pride campaign.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Switchboard Listening Service (Phone, Chat, Email) A free, confidential, non-judgemental listening and information service for LGBTQIA+ individuals, their friends, families, and allies in the UK. Staffed entirely by trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers and accessible via freephone (0800 0119 100), instant messaging on switchboard.lgbt, and email ([email protected]). Available 10am–10pm, 365 days a year.
- Switchboard Talks and Training Programme A paid corporate education and training programme for UK organisations covering LGBTQIA+ inclusion, active listening, challenging bias, inclusive leadership, LGBTQIA+ history, Pride, and coming out. Delivered as Lunch & Learn, Half Day, or full-day sessions in person or online, with pricing available on request via brochure.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 17,000 conversations handled in 2025, representing a 20%+ increase from 2024
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Switchboard
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Switchboard technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Switchboard partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- SpeedocoreSpeedo sponsored the Pride Swim Big Dip event at Brighton Beach, providing specially designed swim caps and goody bags for participants. Olympic swimmer and LGBTQIA+ activist Michael Gunning opened the event.
- SealanesminorSealanes hosted the Pride Swim Big Dip event at Brighton Beach, providing the venue for pre and post-swim activities, a pop-up sauna, and post-event celebration.
- Elite League (Ice Hockey)flagshipSwitchboard became the Elite League's first-ever national charity partner for the 2024/2025 season. During Pride Week, the Switchboard logo appeared prominently on officials' jerseys during Pride games, representing a significant visibility opportunity for the charity within the sports community.
- The Queer Comedy ClubcoreCollaborative partnership for Stand Up for Switchboard, a comedy event curated by The Queer Comedy Club to raise funds for Switchboard's services.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Switchboard competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Shout (Crisis Text Line UK): UK 24/7 text-based mental health support service. Comparable digital-first crisis support model and channel innovation (text vs Switchboard's phone/chat), competing for the same younger demographic.
- Albert Kennedy Trust (akt): UK charity supporting LGBTQIA+ young people facing homelessness. Mission-adjacent peer with overlap on youth LGBTQIA+ support, though focused on housing rather than listening.
Direct peers
- PFLAG UK: UK charity supporting parents, families, and allies of LGBTQIA+ people. Overlaps directly with Switchboard's secondary 'friends, family, and allies' segment and offers similar peer-led support.
- LGBT Foundation: UK-based LGBTQIA+ charity delivering helpline, information, and advocacy services including a national support line. Comparable mission, volunteer-led model, and UK-wide scope.
- The Trevor Project: US-based LGBTQIA+ youth crisis intervention and suicide prevention organization operating a 24/7 helpline, chat, and text service. Closest international functional equivalent in mission and delivery channels.
- London Friend: UK LGBTQIA+ charity providing helpline, counselling, and support services in London. Most directly comparable peer given similar peer-support model, LGBTQIA+ focus, and UK helpline operations.
Broad incumbents
- Stonewall UK: UK's largest LGBTQIA+ rights charity, operating across advocacy, workplace inclusion, and community programmes. Adjacent in mission and corporate D&I training space that Switchboard is moving into.
- Mind UK: UK mental health charity operating an infoline and support services. Broader mental-health incumbent with overlapping listener-support infrastructure and 24/7 coverage that competes for some of Switchboard's mental-health conversations.
- Childline (NSPCC): UK 24/7 helpline for children and young people. Competitor for younger Switchboard users (Switchboard's 18–40 user base skews young) and a model for 24/7 digital channel delivery.
- Samaritans: UK-wide 24/7 emotional support helpline. Established incumbent in the listener-helpline space with comparable volunteer-led delivery, competing for callers who reach out overnight when Switchboard is closed.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Switchboard social profiles
Digital presenceSwitchboard financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Switchboard leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
Switchboard funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Switchboard M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Switchboard
What does Switchboard do?
Switchboard operates the UK's national LGBTQIA+ support line, providing free, confidential, non-judgemental listening and information via telephone (0800 0119 100), webchat, and email, staffed by trained LGBTQIA+ volunteers 10am–10pm, 365 days a year. The charity also sells a corporate Talks and Training Programme covering active listening, challenging bias, inclusive leadership, LGBTQIA+ history, Pride, and coming out for organisations seeking to build more inclusive workplaces.
Is Switchboard a public or private company?
Switchboard is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Switchboard founded?
Switchboard was founded in 1974. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Switchboard based?
Switchboard is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Switchboard make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are corporate Talks and Training.
Who are Switchboard's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Shout (Crisis Text Line UK) and Albert Kennedy Trust (akt). Direct peers are PFLAG UK, LGBT Foundation, The Trevor Project and London Friend. Broad incumbents are Stonewall UK, Mind UK, Childline (NSPCC) and Samaritans.
Does Switchboard have an API?
No public API is recorded for Switchboard.
What industry is Switchboard in?
Switchboard's product category is LGBTQIA+ Support Helpline Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAE, LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations. Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.