LGBTQ+ youth groups in Blackpool

Growing up LGBTQ+ in Blackpool today means growing up in a town with a Rainbow Quarter, rainbow crossings and a Pride festival that has its own space for young people. It can still be hard, though: at school, at home or online. The good news is that there are youth workers, groups and services here that exist just for you. This page is written for young people, but parents, carers and teachers will find it useful too.

LGBT youth groups

A Blackpool youth and community organisation based on Central Drive runs the main LGBT youth provision on the Fylde coast. It offers:

• Three groups for LGBT and non-binary young people across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
• A trans-only group for young trans people.
• A family support group for parents and other relatives.

Its LGBT provision is aimed at young people aged roughly 13 to 25, and it holds the county's LGBT inclusion Quality Mark. Its youth workers can tell you which group suits your age and where it meets.

Contact: call 01253 344398 or email lgbt@urpotential.co.uk.

In Wyre: the Fleetwood group

The Wyre LGBT Youth Group meets in Fleetwood on Wednesdays from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, with separate sessions for ages 11 to 17 and for over-18s. Contact the same team for details.

Youth Pride and getting your voice heard

• Youth Pride is the young people's area at Blackpool Pride each June. A Fylde coast youth work organisation has run it since 2018, co-designing it with Pride and the community. Under-18s have been able to attend Pride free on the Saturday.
• The same organisation set up the Rainbow Equality Group in 2024 so that young LGBTQ+ people can push for change in their communities and help shape Youth Pride. Email socialaction@uyacic.org to find out more.
• The town's Rainbow Quarter plan includes a youth voice group, a town-wide survey designed with 12 to 25-year-olds, a youth-led look at how safe the night-time economy feels, and work towards a safe space for LGBTQ+ young people.

The Be You Youth Provider Quality Mark

Youth clubs, sports groups and other organisations that work with young people can now earn the Be You Youth Provider Quality Mark. It recognises organisations that actively support LGBTQ+ young people and build inclusion into everything they do. The framework is being shaped by young LGBTQ+ people themselves. If a club you go to has the mark, it has made a commitment to you.

At college

Both of Blackpool's main colleges, Blackpool and The Fylde College and Blackpool Sixth Form College, hold the county LGBT inclusion Quality Mark. They were the first further education colleges in Lancashire to earn it, in 2021. Both have LGBT+ student groups. The sixth form college group regularly fundraises and has hosted Pride afternoons with cake and visiting charities. Ask student services how to join.

Sexual health for young people

• Connect Young People's Centre, 26 Talbot Road (FY1 1LF), is a sexual health service for under-25s. It has weekday drop-ins, a Saturday morning session and a Monday evening appointment clinic. Call 01253 955856.
• If you're 16 or over you can use the Tuesday evening drop-in clinic on Dickson Road and order free postal STI test kits. Eligible LGBTQ+ young people aged 16+ can also get free condoms by post.
• You don't need a parent's permission to get sexual health advice, and services are confidential.

Counselling and mental health

• An NHS counselling service for ages 11 to 25 across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre is also based at 26 Talbot Road. It lists sexuality among the things it can help with, and has a Wednesday drop-in from 3pm to 5pm. Call 0800 121 7762.
• If you feel unsafe or in crisis, call 999, the Lancashire crisis line on 0800 953 0110, or Samaritans on 116 123. You can also text SHOUT to 85258.

Being bullied or harassed?

Homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying is never OK. Tell a teacher or youth worker you trust. If it's a hate incident or crime, you can report it to the police or through a third-party reporting centre. The Central Drive youth organisation is one, so you can report to people you already know. See our hate crime page.

For parents and carers

• The family support group run alongside the youth groups is a good first step (call 01253 344398).
• Transparent is a monthly Blackpool meet-up for parents of trans people. Email hello@lancslgbt.org.uk.
• Mermaids runs a national helpline for families of gender-diverse young people on 0808 801 0400.

Group times and venues can change, so check before you go.