ELOP are an exciting innovative LGBT+ mental health and wellbeing charity based in East London. ELOP was established around 1995 as a grass roots developed & community-led organisation with the aim to promote the mental health, wellbeing, empowerment & equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+) communities. For 25 years ELOP has been providing information, advice, counselling & support services, plus other social and community activities & events to London’s LGBT+ communities. In addition to operating direct community frontline services ELOP also delivers second-tier work and provides information, training, consultancy & support to statutory & voluntary sector policy makers, managers, service providers & their staff teams.
ELOP is a part of the Tower Hamlets Equalities Hub
The Equalities Hub is key to the new direction for the Council’s equalities provision, providing a central strategic focus, responding to the community’s needs and issues. The Hub will be vital to bringing about a more coordinated approach to equalities in the borough.
Tower Hamlets Equalities Hub is a partnership between Tower Hamlets CVS and Healthwatch Tower Hamlets and funded by Tower Hamlets Council.
Registered Charity 1067474 & Company Limited by Guarantee 3355423
“Time on your hands Time on your hands, Chosen to be or enforced on thee, Especially now, in these strange times of speeding days, or slowing minutes, that drip through your weary fingers like dry-aged sands
Our community of kindred souls, Each of us, locally un-known to most of us, But ready we would be, to relish a weekly hour or so on our chatting bus, Suppose we superimpose, to all, these lovely goals
Him and her and they, or better still we, Learned that Mondays would bring some glee, Finding out nothing and everything new, Better still, I said, as we felt it’s oozing glue, A little smile, a cherished new person, or an impassioned camaraderie, So; come you, with we, and you, we hope, we all, will see.”
Martin Tilling – Over 50s Group
What ELOP have to offer?
HeadsOut Service
The HeadsOut Service offers up to six online one to one sessions to support individuals think of practical steps to stay safe, identify their triggers and cope with difficult times. Wellbeing Workshops and Recharge Mental Health Support Group are also offered as part of this service.
Tower Hamlets LGBT Community Forum
The Tower Hamlets LGBT Community Forum is a project that aims to bring together LGBT+ people (and allies) who live, work, study or socialise in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to discuss and have an influence on issues which affect the local LGBT community, as well as network, socialise and meet other local LGBT people.
LGBT Over 50s Social Support Group
Friendly welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people over 50 to meet, discuss topics and get to know each other better. ELOP: LGBT Social Support Group Description: Friendly welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people to meet, discuss topics and get to know each other better.
LGBT Social Support Group
Friendly welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people to meet, discuss topics and get to know each other better.
ReClaim
Friendly welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people to meet, discuss topics and get to know each other better.
If you are interested in attending any of ELOP’s activites please contact Lauren Steele at events@elop.org
Current Campaigns
#Exercise4elop2022
We are delighted to present the annual #exercise4elop2022 fundraiser. Launched last year to celebrate our 25th birthday, #exercise4elop2022 is your chance to help raise funds for ELOP all while improving your fitness and mental health. From 1st February 2022 we are inviting you exercise across the month and get fundraising.
The funds will enable us to continue and improve our life-changing work. As a LGBT+ a mental health & wellbeing charity, we provide a range of mental health crisis prevention, mental health workshops & low cost counselling services to LGBT+ people, plus range of support groups, befriending, youth and LGBT+ family projects, along with community events and activities all offered in a safe and supportive environment for members of the community. We need your help.
To take part in #exercise4elop2022 simply set yourself a challenge (being as serious, creative, funky as you wish – exercise comes in many forms!) link it to 2 and 5 in celebration of our 25th birthday and action it throughout February.
You can fundraise by walking, jogging or running for 25km or 25 mins, cycle for 250km, aim to raise £25 or £250 or £2500, dance or sing for 2.5 hours, or do a range of exercises (hop, skip, jump, sit ups etc.) for 25 minutes a day. The possibilities with 2 and 5 are endless!
Sign up now! or give what you can. Every penny helps an LGBT+ person live a happier, healthier life.
Thank you for your support.
Upcoming events
LGBT+ History Month 2022 Theme: Politics In Art: ‘The Arc Is Long’
- Add your events to the LGBT History Month Calendar! https://lgbtplushistorymonth.co.uk/calendar/
- Let us know what you are doing on our social media using this year’s hashtags:
- #LGBTHM22, #LGBTplusHM #educateOUTprejudice
- Follow us on social media to stay updated on queer issues. We’re on on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram ,LinkedIn and YouTube.
- Update your social media for LGBT+ History Month with our free personalised banners
- Book LGBT+ History Month for a presentation. Email us on info@schools-out.org.uk
- View LGBT+ History Month’s resources. You can download and use these to promote LGBT+ equality .
- Download our LGBT+ History ‘Voices and Visibility’ wall-chart. Put it on your noticeboard at work, or in your classroom (or home classroom).
- Teach some of the over 80 lesson plans that usualise LGBT+ issues across the curriculum and for all ages at The Classroom.
- Take part in our badge design competition
- Attend OUTing the Past if you are specifically interested in LGBT+ history.
- Buy our badges and lanyards here
Actors for Human Rights: This Is Who I Am
Wed, 16 February 2022
18:30 – 21:00
St. Margarets House, E2 9PL
For LGBT+ History month 2022 St. Margaret’s House are hosting an evening of queer refugee and migrant wellbeing, creativity and activism by ice&fire theatre, Micro Rainbow International and Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants. Expect workshops (join in some yoga, placard making, asylum mapping workshop or maybe even some dancing…), a rehearsed reading and Q&A panel discussion. Schedule 6.30: Doors open (refreshments available) 6.45 – 7.30: Workshops (45 mins) 7.30 – 8.15: This Is Who I Am reading (45 mins) 8.15 – 9pm: Q&A panel discussion (45 mins)
LGBT+ Community Forum
Wednesday 30th March, 6pm
How to get involved?
Lauren Steele
LGBT Group, Events and Community Worker
Pronouns: she/her (for more information about why pronouns are important please use this link)
Lauren facilitates the Over 50s and Social Support Groups within ELOP’s Wellbeing Service, organises exciting LGBT+ themed events and coordinates the Tower Hamlets LGBT Community Forum, working across the borough to connect with local residents and organisations to improve the lives of LGBT+ people who live, work or study in Tower Hamlets.
Outside of her role at ELOP, Lauren enjoys baking, performing as her drag king alter ego and hanging out with her pet bunny rabbit.
To find out more about ELOP’s services or events contact Lauren on events@elop.org
To find out more about the Tower Hamlets LGBT Community Forum contact Lauren on lgbtforum@elop.org
