Social and Support Groups, Clubs and Forums

Let’s get social!

We are often asked to provide information about social and support groups in Wales so we wanted to pull together  the information we know about what’s happening across this beautiful country.

We’ve started to add some of the groups we know about to this page but this is’t the full list of every group, club or social event (we’re bound to have missed some, we’re only human) so if you know of any we’re missing, please let us know and we’ll add the details to the page.

The information is separated by place and space and then by age group.  We hope this will make it easier to find what you’re looking for, but if you want us to help or you just want to talk about social groups and how you feel about attending them, please contact us and we’ll be happy to chat with you.


Online

We know that sometime you’ll want to interact with others online.

Groups and Forums can be a great way to find information, share experiences, get support and help others.

Take a look at the list of online social and support groups to see if any of them would be useful for you.

All Ages


Umbrella Cymru – #UnderTheUmbrella

We have created a closed Facebook group where people can share ideas and experiences, chat and support each other.  The group is primarily for anyone wishing to explore or discuss gender and sexual or romantic identity or diversity.  This could mean that you identify as other than straight or cisgender, you’re questioning or exploring your gender or sexual or romantic identity, or you care for someone who is.  The group is closed to keep the details within the group for members comfort and safety.

You can request to join the group using the link below.  If you would like direct support, visit our Support pages of the website for more information and request support using our quick online form.

Date:  24/7

Time: 24/7

Location:  Facebook

Contact:  Click the link and request to join the group or contact us to discuss the group or direct support.

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Trans Support / Social Meet Up (TSMU)

The group is for anyone who identifies with the many identities that can fall under trans and also allies, friends and families. This is a joint venture with Unique Transgender Network, Transgender Awareness Wales, The Beaumont society and The Snowdrops Self-Help Support group (and supported by Stonewall Cymru).

TSMU offers a closed Facebook group and a monthly physical meet up.

Date:  Forth Thursday of every month

Time:  6pm – 9pm

Location:  Café of the Unite Building, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9SD

Contact:  There is a closed Facebook group you can join.

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Young People


Mermaids – Youth Forum

Mermaid’s youth group for gender diverse and/or transgender young people between 12 and 19 years old, has grown from a starting point of 3 members to over 300.

The forum is a safe space for you to ask questions, talk about how you are doing, and share experiences with others in the same or similar circumstances to you.

It operates through an email service so you must supply a valid email address, and you can customise your account to receive all emails, a daily digest of a number of emails together, or no emails at all if you would prefer to log in and access the forum online.

To join, you will need to apply through an online form which can be found at the link below.

Date:  N/A

Time:  N/A

Location:  Online Forum / Emails

Contact:  You can email Mermaids at info@mermaidsuk.org.uk or call their helpline on 0808 801 0400 (open Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm – Bank Holiday opening times might vary).

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Adults


Mermaids – Parents Group

Mermaid’s parents group has grown from a starting point of 9 members to over 1,000. The forum is a safe space for you to ask questions, talk about how you are doing, and share experiences with others in the same or similar circumstances to you.

It operates through an email service so you must supply a valid email address, and you can customise your account to receive all emails, a daily digest of a number of emails together, or no emails at all if you would prefer to log in and access the forum online.

Date:  N/A

Time:  N/A

Location:  Online / Emails

Contact: You can email Mermaids at info@mermaidsuk.org.uk or call their helpline on 0808 801 0400 (open Monday – Friday 9am – 9pm – Bank Holiday opening times might vary).

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Wales

Sometimes you just need to meet other people in person.

Here are some groups and social events that take place on a national scale.

All Ages


Pride Cymru 

Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend is Wales’s biggest celebration of equality and diversity.  Over 3 days, Pride Cymru hosts over 50,000 people in the Welsh capital to celebrate the LGBT+ community.

Date:  August Bank Holiday Weekend

Time:  All Day Event

Location:  City Hall Lawn, Cardiff CF10 3ND

Contact:  Contact through a website form that can be accessed HERE

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Young People


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.

 


Adults


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.

We’ve also put a list together of some of the groups happening in the different regions of Wales.

All Ages


Trans Support / Social Meet Up (TSMU)

The group is for anyone who identifies with the many identities that can fall under trans and also allies, friends and families. This is a joint venture with Unique Transgender Network, Transgender Awareness Wales, The Beaumont society and The Snowdrops Self-Help Support group (and supported by Stonewall Cymru).

TSMU offers a monthly meet up as well as a closed Facebook group.

Date:  Forth Thursday of every month

Time:  6pm – 9pm

Location:  Café of the Unite Building, 1 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9SD

Contact:  There is a closed Facebook group you can join.

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LGBT Meetup – Cardiff and South Wales

A friendly walking and general meetup activity group for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trans/ and friends and/or family in Cardiff and South Wales.

The site lists a number of upcoming events and is updated by members of the group.

Date:  Various

Time:  Various

Location:  Various

Contact:  Various depending on event.

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Rainbow Newport

Group of volunteers working to make Newport a friendlier city for the LGBT+ Community.

Rainbow Newport organise social coffee events in the City.

Date:  Usually the second Thursday and last Tuesday of every month.

Time: Second Thursday – 7 – 9 pm & Last Tuesday – 6 – 8 pm

Location:  Coffee Thirst, 93 Commercial St, Newport NP20 1LS

Contact:  Email at rainbownewport@outlook.com or call 07712 676190

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Songbirds Choir Cardiff

A fun community choir for LGBTQ+ women & non-binary people in South Wales.  Committed to diversity, good music and most of all having fun!

Date:  Every Monday

Time:  7.15 pm

Location: City United Reformed Church, Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BZ

Contact:  Email at songbirds@post.com, contact through an online form HERE or message on social media.

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Cardiff Trans Singers

Cardiff Trans Singers is a weekly group for trans people to build community and sing together in an informal and welcoming space!  No musical or singing experience is required to take part – just an enthusiasm for music!

All trans people are welcome to join, including people who have non-binary, fluid and agender identities.

Date:  Every Friday

Time:  6.15 pm

Location: Church of St Michael’s and All Angels, Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff CF14 3JL

Contact:  Email at cardifftranssingers@gmail.com or message on social media.

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The Gathering 

A Gathering of LGBT+ (including allied) who meet to talk about faith and worship God.  The Gathering is a safe space to share views and everyone is welcome.

Date:  Type Here

Time:  6.30 – 8 pm

Location:  City United Reformed Church, Windsor Place, Cardiff, CF10 3BZ

Contact:  Contact through an online form on the website or through social media.

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Young People


Belong (aged 12-16)

Youth Cymru and The Amber Project are working in partnership on a project for young people (aged 12-16) who identify as transgender, or are questioning their gender identity, and have experience of self-harm.

They offer creative workshops in a friendly, caring and supportive atmosphere, with the option to talk to a counsellor during the session.

Date:  First Thursday of every month

Time:  6.30 – 7.30 pm

Location:  Quaker Meeting House, 43 Charles Street, Cardiff. CF10 2GB

Contact: For more information and to join the group, contact Rachel Benson – rachel@youthcymru.org.uk or 01443 827 840

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IMPACT LGBT+ Youth Group (13-21)

Impact LGBT+ provide a safe and comfortable space for young people aged 13-21 who identify as LGBTQ to get to know other young people like themselves.

Date:  Every Tuesday

Time:  5 – 7 pm

Location:  Cathays Community Centre, 36-38 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff CF24 4HX

Contact:  Email at  lgbt@cathays.org.uk or call 07731874242

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Adults


Glitter Cymru

Glitter Cymru meet-ups are for people who are 18+ and identify as both Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT+) offering meet-ups, fun, games, chats and a non-judgemental safe space to make new friends.  Social groups are arranged in Cardiff and Swansea.  See West Wales for details of Swansea Groups.

Date:  Various Saturdays once a month (see social media for upcoming dates)

Time:  2 – 4 pm

Location:  Room M0.34, Mathematics Buiding, Cardiff University, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff, CF24 4AG

Contact:  Email at bame.lgbt@yahoo.com

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Gay Outdoor Club – South Wales

Activity club for gay men and women and their friends across the UK.

Date:  Usually the last Sunday of the month unless the last weekend is a bank holiday weekend, when they meet the weekend before

Time:  Varied

Location:  Varied

Contact:  Contact Ben on 07951 001 676 or send a message through an online form HERE

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Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG) South Wales

FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity dedicated to supporting parents and their lesbian, gay, bisexual and Trans daughters and sons.

We offer support to local parents groups and contacts in their efforts to help parents and families understand, accept and support their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members with love and pride.

Date:  Second Thursday of every month

Time:  7 – 8.30 pm

Location:  Chapter Arts Centre, Market Rd, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1QE

Contact:  You can contact FFLAG nationally HERE or call the confidential helpline on 0845 6520311.  For FFLAG South Wales, contact through Twitter

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Gay Men’s Book Club Cardiff 

Friendly, relaxed way to discuss a different book each month.

Date: Last Monday of every month.

Time:  7:30 pm

Location: Chapter Arts Centre, Market Rd, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1QE

Contact:  Email at gaymensbookclubcardiff@hotmail.com or message through Facebook or Twitter

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South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus 

The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus is an award winning male voice choir based in Cardiff, South Wales.  Members hail from all over South Wales and come together in Cardiff for weekly rehearsals and post-rehearsal drinks.  A friendly, lively and inclusive group who enjoy making music together and hold exciting and varied performances throughout the year, across the UK and beyond!

Date:  Every Thursday

Time:  8 pm

Location:  Roath Church House, Waterloo Road, Cardiff, CF23 5AD

Contact:  Email at gaychorus@gmail.com or find them on social media

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All Ages


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Young People


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Adults


Glitter Cymru

Glitter Cymru meet-ups are for people who are 18+ and identify as both Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) and Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans (LGBT+) offering meet-ups, fun, games, chats and a non-judgemental safe space to make new friends.  Social groups are arranged in Cardiff and Swansea.  See South Wales for details of Cardiff Groups.

Date:  Various Saturdays once a month (see social media for upcoming dates)

Time:  6.30 – 8 pm

Location:  EYST Office, Units B&C, 11 St Helens Road, Swansea, SA1 4AB

Contact:  Email at bame.lgbt@yahoo.com

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All Ages


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Young People


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Adults


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.

All Ages


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Young People


Viva LGBT (14-25)

Youth groups and support for young people aged 14 to 25 identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or those who aren’t sure yet…Welcoming and lively, these groups are the beating heart of the Viva family.

If you can’t make it to the groups, or you’d like some extra support, Viva can also offer one to one meetings at a time and place (anywhere in North Wales) that suits you.

Date:  Rhyl – Every Tuesday  |  Wrexham – Every Thursday  |  Llandudno Junction – Every Wednesday

Time:  Rhyl – 5.30 – 8 pm  |  Wrexham – 6 – 8 pm  |  Llandudno Junction – 6 – 8 pm

Location:  TBC

Contact:  Email at info@vivalgbt.co.uk, call 01745 357941 or message on social media.

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GISDA LGBT+ Youth Club

The GISDA LGBT+ Youth Club is an opportunity for young people aged between 15 and 21 to have fun, meet friends and more importantly be themselves. The aim of the Youth Club is to be an inclusive environment where young people can take part in games, workshops or just too simply catch up with friends.

The LGBT+ youth club has been running since 2017, reflecting the need to give space for young people who identify themselves as LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender). The informal club was established as a meeting place for young LGBT+ people to feel comfortable and happy. It is a place where they can support each other, express themselves freely, and identify with others. Young people from as far as South Meirionnydd, Anglesey and Conwy attend the club

Date:  Every other Monday

Time:  6 – 8 pm

Location:  Te a Cofi, 23 Y Maes, Caernarfon LL55 2NA

Contact:  Email lgbt@gisda.co.uk, call 1286 671153 or contact using an online form HERE.

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Adults


Unique Transgender Network

A voluntary group supporting Trans* (transgender) people in North Wales & West Cheshire.

Date:  Third Thursday of every month.

Time:  7.30 pm

Location:  Cae Mor Hotel, 6 Penrhyn Crescent, Llandudno LL30 1BA

Contact:  Email elen@uniquetg.org.uk,  call Elen or Jenny-Anne 01745 337144 or contact through social media.

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A little bit further…

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous (did we hear someone say ROAD TRIP??), here are some groups outside of Wales.

All Ages


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Young People


We’re currently updating this section.  If you know of any social or support groups or events taking place, please let us know.


Adults


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