LGBTQ+

The What Centre specialises in providing a range of support for young people who would like to explore their gender identity and sexuality. Thanks to the new Health and Wellbeing Fund, we are pleased to announce specialist LGBTQ+ individual counselling as well as family work: 

Support on offer	Who this group is for	When it runs	Where it runs
One-to-one counselling	13 to 18 years old	By appointment only	Stourbridge or Dudley Branch
Family work	13 to 18 years old as well as any family/partner etc	By appointment only	Stourbridge or Dudley Branch

One-to-one counselling

Individual counselling is available for anyone aged 13 -18 years who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Counselling will provide a non judgemental, safe environment where the young person can explore, feelings and emotions around worries or issues they may be experiencing. With the intention of embracing changes and empowering the young person to move forward with their lives.

Parents, families and carers may also be impacted by struggles and changes around new situations while supporting the young person. We offer family sessions to enable exploration, reassure and support everyone involved.

Family work 

Family therapy is also particularly beneficial to young people and their families as it gives the opportunity to embrace and explore dynamics within their family system which may be impacting on the young person’s ability to thrive. LGBTQ+ issues may impact family members so full support often enables better communication and a more settled home environment.

The process enables all family members to express and explore emotions and difficulties safely, whilst allowing each member to understand and consider different perspectives whilst appreciating the needs of others. Members can speak openly, individually and together about any difficult or distressing issues in respect of their own experiences.

Family intervention work aims to work with strengths and relational resources within the family, whilst reducing stress and disputes by encouraging more positive interactions. The therapist will consider problems as patterns that just need adjustments. The outcome being improved communication and reduced conflict. Creating a safer functioning home environment in which the young person can develop.

Group support 

Aside from counselling with a specialist counsellor, the What Centre also provides a range of group support targeted at working with these issues with other young people who may be dealing with similar experiences.

Group name	Who this group is for	When it runs	Where it runs
Spectrum Support	LGBTQ+ group for 13 to 18 years old	Every Friday 5.00pm to 6.00pm	Stourbridge Branch
LGBTQ+ support	LGBTQ+ group for 13 to 18 years old	Every Wednesday 5pm to 6.30pm	Dudley Branch

The What? Centre also provides LGBTQ & Transgender support (18 yrs and over) as well as counselling via our BeeHIVe project.  Details on the adult groups can be found on the BeeHIVe website - please check as there may be changes.

Group name	Who this group is for	When it runs	Where it runs
HIV Peer Support and Therapy Group	HIV positive therapy group for 18 years and over	Every fortnight on a Tuesday 2.30pm to 4.00pm	Brindley House, 48-50 Hall Street, Dudley, DY2 7DY
Transgender wellbeing group	Transgender, non-binary, gender fluid and gender questioning group for 18 years and over.	Every fortnight on a Monday 2:00pm to 4:30pm	Based on activity planned – check the BeeHIVe page for details
Transgender Support Group	Transgender, non-binary, gender fluid and gender questioning group for 18 years and over.	Monthly on a Monday 2.00pm to 3.30pm	Dudley Branch
LGBTQ+ Support Group	LGBTQ+ group for 18 years and over.	Every for Dudley Branch night on a Wednesday 5.00pm to 7pm	Dudley Branch