Outcome
Outcome is a client-led LGBTQI+ service that has been run by a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer staff and volunteer team for over 15 years, and is one of the few LGBTQI+ only mental health services in London.
Telephone: 020 7272 5038
(Tuesdays only)
Outcome is Islington Mind’s community-led LGBTQI+ project. Based in North London, we provide a safe drop-in for LGBTQI+ people living anywhere across London to get support for their mental health in a space free from feeling like the “odd one out”. Anyone who is LGBTQI+ and wants support with their mental health is welcome to join, and we specialise in supporting people who are neurodiverse and have learning disabilities.
Across our projects, we utilise an intersectional, structurally aware, non-medical model approach to mental health and disability that is member-led. This means that we take seriously how someone wishes to present themselves on the day, emphasising the importance of their own choices and decisions in their own mental health care rather than viewing people through their diagnosis.
Outcome is run exclusively by a gay, queer, and trans team. Many of us have lived experience with neurodiversity, difficult mental health, and/or contact with mental health systems. Outcome has existed for over 20 years and is one of the few LGBTQI+ only mental health services in London.
We meet every Tuesday between 11:00am and 4:00pm, both in-person and online. Our project for LGBTQI+ people seeking asylum and refugees meets on Wednesdays.
Our number is 020 3301 9850 and press 6
Our address is 35 Ashley Road, London N19 3AG
Our email is outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk
Our X/Twitter is @outcomelgbtiq
If you would like to join Outcome please complete the referral form above, call us, or email us. Please don’t come to the day centre without speaking with the team first. Thank you! If you are a regular Outcome service user and would like support, please call us on Tuesdays or email a member of staff.
At Outcome we pride ourselves on being an inclusive space. Here are our guiding principles. These principles are developed with clients and always a work-in-progress.
Islington Mind takes the health and wellbeing of our service users and staff as our top priority.
At our day centre all clients, staff, and volunteers continue to follow guidelines for mask-wearing, social distancing, regular hand-washing, and regular testing where possible. In order to keep the space manageable, we can welcome a maximum of 40 clients to our day centre.
Outcome in-person/online groups
Below is a list of our activities at Outcome. Please contact us on outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk if you have any questions.
Tuesdays
Drop-in space (in person): 11:00am – 4:00pm
Drop-in space (online): 12:00am – 1:00pm
Art: all day
Walking group: 11:30am – 12:15pm
Nail painting: 11:30am – 1:00pm
Creative Spaces: 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Singing/Drama (alternate weeks): 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Yoga: 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Lunch: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Women’s group: 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Men’s group (trans inclusive): 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Trans, Non-binary, and Gender-queer/fluid group: 3:00pm – 3:45pm
Enjoy a 2-course homemade healthy meal in person on Tuesdays from 1:00pm. We offer nutritional and delicious options of halal meat or vegan, cooked by our amazing Outcome client chef! Lunch is £3.00 for a main and a dessert, or £2.50 for a main.
Wednesdays
CV Writing, Job Skills & Tech Skills Workshop: 12:00 – 12:45pm
Lunch – vegan and free: 1:00 – 2:00pm
Art & Creative Space: 2:00 – 3:00pm
Peer Support / Discussion Group: 3:00 – 4:00pm
Our Services
Below is information about our specialist projects, activities and peer support groups.
Specialist projects
Freedom From Fear To Love: a specialist project to assist LGBTQ+ asylum seekers and refugees, including mental health support, signposting, and short-term administrative support. This project primarily runs on Wednesdays.
Rainbow Suicide Prevention London: an innovative project that combines direct intervention with local and national influencing, education and campaigning work. Specifically supporting trans and non-binary people, young LGBTQI+ people, and asylum seekers and refugees who are all at increased risk of suicide across London. We offer free psychotherapy to these groups and work with and support local and national partner organisations to raise awareness, develop their approach and build capacity to understand and respond effectively to community needs.
Activities
- Creative Writing Group (hybrid, Tuesdays 11:30pm – 1:00pm) provides a positive space for people to try their hand at different kinds of creative fiction, poetry and non-fiction. We learn techniques, occasionally write together; we also talk about each other’s work and writing more generally. We have absolute beginners as well as experienced writers.
- Art (in person, Tuesdays all day) offers a wonderful space to try our hand at something artistic. Ideal for beginners and professionals alike!
- Walking Group (in person, Tuesdays 11:30am) aims to get people active by exploring the local area through gentle and slow walks, no longer than an hour. Comfortable shoes recommended.
- Gentle Jogging Group (in person, Tuesdays 11:30am) aims to get people active and develop running as a new skill, within a safe LGBTQI-only non-judgmental environment. Open to newcomers and advanced runners alike. Trainers required.
- Yoga (hybrid, Tuesdays 12:30pm) aims to get people moving softly. Facilitated by one of our amazing clients, supported by volunteers.
- Singing group (in person, Tuesdays 12.30pm – 1:00pm) offers a non-judgmental, fun, and supporting atmosphere for aspiring singers and professionals alike. Pick from a range of classics and suggest some newbies!
- Drama group (in person, Tuesdays 12.30pm – 1:00pm) is a friendly, relaxed, and non-judgemental space to engage with drama as a form of holistic support. Led by a trained dramatist.
- Gardening (in person, Tuesdays, weather permitting) Help us make great use of our fantastic garden. We grow a range of fruit and vegetables, do general maintenance such as weeding and planting – or just sit and enjoy the weather!
Peer support groups
Women’s Space (hybrid, Tuesdays 2:00pm – 2:45pm) offers a safe and supportive trans-inclusive space for self-identifying women. It is a confidential environment where respect and consideration for self and others is paramount, but where open discussions are encouraged. We discuss topics chosen by participants, we utilise all forms of art, and offer guided meditation. It is a cathartic and healing space for LBT women. Non-binary people are welcome if they feel their experiences might overlay with those in a space wherein women’s experiences are centralised, and/or they can relate to experiences of misogyny.
Men’s Group (hybrid, Tuesdays 2:00pm – 2:45pm) offers a safe and supportive space for self-identifying men. It is a client-led environment that utilises conversation and discussion-based healing practices, with topics for discussion chosen by clients. Non-binary people are welcome if they feel their experiences might overlay with those in a space wherein men’s experiences are centralised.
Trans, Non-binary, and Gender-queer/fluid group (hybrid, Tuesdays 3:00pm – 3:45pm) offers a peer support space that welcomes folk who identify as trans, non-binary, and/or gender-queer/fluid, as well as folk who might be questioning or exploring their gender identity. Activities are client-led and include art, creative writing, resource-sharing, sharing stories, and more, within a therapeutic and safe environment.
Psychotherapy service
Our psychotherapy service offers free counselling to trans and non-binary people, young LGBTQI+ people, and asylum seekers and refugees. It can take place online or in-person, depending on what works for client and therapist. If you are interested for yourself or would like to make a referral for psychotherapy please make a general referral to the Outcome project and we will be in touch.
Sexual Health Pop-up
In collaboration with CLASH CNWL we host a sexual health pop-up clinic on the second Tuesday afternoon of every month. The pop-up is for Outcome members only. If you are interested, please do refer yourself using the link above or get in touch on a Tuesday.
Sexual Violence Support
In collaboration with Solace we host a sexual violence support pop-up on the second Tuesday afternoon of every month. The pop-up is for Outcome members only. If you are interested, please do refer yourself using the link above or get in touch on a Tuesday.
James’ Place
In collaboration with James’ Place we host a support pop-up for men experiencing suicidal thoughts on the second Tuesday afternoon of every month. The pop-up is for Outcome members only. If you are interested, please do refer yourself using the link above or get in touch on a Tuesday.
House meetings
We host House Meetings every six weeks. In these meetings, Outcome comes together to continue to develop our wonderful service. This is an essential part of the Outcome service, wherein Outcome members can direct the ways in which Outcome is run.
Day-trips
During the Spring and Summer, we host special summer activities, including picnics and trips to the seaside, chosen by our service users.
External work & outreach
We offer a comprehensive free training programme built from our experience as practitioners and alongside our clients. Our training is delivered from an intersectional queer perspective that employs anti-racist, feminist, and anti-racist principles. Indicative modules include:
- Creating sustainable LGBTQI+ spaces
- Supporting LGBTQI+ people with their mental health
- LGBTQI+ suicide prevention
- LGBTQI+ Inclusion / Best Practice
- Trans Inclusion
To find out more about these modules you can download our programme guide here. You can also get in touch with Lizzie, our Senior Team Leader, to discuss and find out more: lizzie.hughes@islingtonmind.org.uk
We also love to work collaboratively with other LGBTQI+ organisations. If you would like to collaborate on an event, share knowledge, or simply just chat please contact Lizzie, at lizzie.hughes@islingtonmind.org.uk
Open-days
We host regular open-days to coincide with LGBTQI annual events and Black History Month. These offer brilliant opportunities to visit us and see what we offer. Please contact us on outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk for further details.
Awards and Recognition
Our LGBTQI+ asylum seeker and refugee project Freedom From Fear to Love was Shortlisted and Highly Commended at the Charity Awards 2023. We are extremely proud that our project supporting LGBTQI+ asylum seekers and refugees was recognised in this way. It was an amazing achievement for us as a local charity to make it that far amongst many national charities and campaigns.
Our amazing volunteer team at Outcome recently won “Highly commended” at the Voluntary Action Islington 2022 awards. Every year Voluntary Action Islington and its Volunteer Centre Islington celebrate the achievements and efforts of all people volunteering in Islington together with the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
We were delighted to be recognised and honoured as an important LGBTQI+ service.
Maria Yianni, one of our amazing volunteers, won Volunteer of the Year at this year’sIslington Dignity in Care awards.
These important awards recognise the quality of support provided to people with care needs, with a particular focus on ensuring that anyone receiving care can retain their dignity at a vulnerable time in their lives.
For further details about Outcome, including referrals, activities and/or if you would like to help this project, please contact us on: 020 7272 5038 (Tuesdays only) or email outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk
