Who Are Opening Doors and How Can Your Vote in our December Charity Poll Help LGBTQ+ People Over 50?

This December, Opening Doors are taking part in the My Favourite Voucher Codes charity poll, in the hopes of being the charity to win 20% of our profits for the month. Find out all about how your vote can help the over 50s in the LGBTQ+ community to feel less alone, connect with other older community members, and live life to the fullest as themselves without fear or isolation. 

Opening Doors is the only charity in the UK that is dedicated solely to providing support services for LGBTQ+ individuals over 50. With their offices based in Holloway, London; Opening Doors provide a variety of events, information and support services to help LGBTQ+ community members over 50. They help the older community members to enjoy a full life being themselves, free from prejudice, isolation, loneliness, judgement or fear. 

What Services do Opening Doors Offer?

Opening Doors offer a range of support services for LGBTQ+ over 50s as well as help raising awareness for the needs of these people within society. Research conducted by Opening Doors through surveys of LGBTQ+ individuals over 50, found that they are a greater risk of mental health problems. This is often do not feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation in health care and many have experienced negative treatment by healthcare providers due to their gender or sexuality. 

This is why Opening Doors are dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ people to feel less isolated and find support to discuss any issues they may be going through. They also work to educate the health and social care industries on the needs of older LGBTQ+ people.  

Membership: Membership is free to anyone who identifies as lesbian, gay, transgender, queer, non-binary or gender-fluid and is over 50. When you become a member, you can take advantage of the great services that Opening Doors offer. Members receive monthly updates by email or post with events and the latest news. That way, you can stay up to date with what’s going on and also take part in their regular surveys to help forward research.

Activities and Groups: They have regular events and activities which are free for all members to attend. These activities can be anything from coffee socials to pub socials, art clubs to IT clinics! They even have special events for those with dementia such as coffee mornings and support groups or groups for women. Most of these events occur in London, however there are often some zoom events and events further afield.

Befriending: Loneliness and isolation are huge issues for people in general, especially older people, but this is even more of an issue amongst older LGBTQ+ people. Meeting people can be difficult and that's why Opening Doors run a befriending service. This is where the person is matched with a volunteer who can go along to social events with them, have a tea and a chat or go somewhere else with them as a friend. 

Telefriending: Telefiending is the telephone equivalent of befriending, and is available for those outside of London. At the moment, this is only on offer to people who have been referred by the Out Together Telefriending Partnership in West Yorkshire, due to high demand. Telephoning consists of weekly phone calls where you can chat to a volunteer from the LGBTQ+ community.

Specified Social Groups: There are also smaller social meetups and groups for those who fall into one particular group within the over 50 LGBTQ+ community. For example they have a regular social group for BAME and POC members. They also host Bi The Way, the monthly social for bisexual and pansexual individuals, and a trans and non-binary monthly meetup. 

What Are the Opening Doors Dementia Services? 

According to Dementia UK, there are around 68,000 LGBTQ+ people in the UK living with dementia. Dementia itself is very challenging to go through, and for LGBTQ+ individuals a unique set of challenges are also at play. Due to issues such as heteronormative language, a fear of judgement and often painful family memories being brought up, dementia amongst LGBTQ+ people can pose further issues for the person and their family. This is why Opening Doors offer a range of services for those living with dementia and their loved ones.

• The Rainbow Carers Group is a zoom support group for LGBTQ+ people over 50 who are looking after a loved one with memory loss, cognitive issues or dementia. This runs from 11am - 12:30pm the first Thursday of each month and 3:30pm - 5:00pm the third Monday of each month. 
• Rainbow Memory Cafe is a social group that takes place over zoom for LGBT+ people with dementia, concerns about memory loss or who is caring for someone with dementia. This takes place the second Monday of every month from 2pm-3:30pm. 
• Speak Out With Dementia is an online support group for LGBTQ+ people who have been diagnosed with dementia. They can support one another and be free to discuss their experiences without carers or partners being there. This takes place every Tuesday from 5pm to 6:30pm. 

How Can I Support Opening Doors? 

This December you can support Opening Doors for free by voting for them in this month's charity poll! 

You can also become a Volunteer and get involved in their befriending services. There is also the opportunity to become an ambassador, help with social events or run fundraising events. 

They have an online Shop where you can purchase gifts too, and all of the proceeds go to Opening Doors. Finally, sending them a Donation is always appreciated and helps them continue their incredible work. 

How Can I Get in Touch with Opening Doors? 

Visit their Contact Us page and you can find the contact details for their different departments. You can also give them a call on +44 (0) 20 7183 6260. 

They also have active Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages so you can send them a direct message via social media. 

If they win the 20% donation from My Favourite Voucher Codes, they can continue to provide more vital services for LGBTQ+ people over 50 including those with conditions such as dementia. If Opening Doors have got your vote, then head over to our Homepage to vote for them today. Don’t forget to share the poll with your friends and family, and ensure that you vote before December 31st so that your vote counts!