A non-judgmental and confidential service providing support
The Phoneline Service
The OutWest LGBT Helpline operates every Thursday night from 8.00pm until 10.00pm.
Call 094 937 2479 in confidence to speak to one of our fully trained volunteers.
You can also freephone the National LGBT Helpline: 1800 929 539
The National LGBT Helpline currently operates at the following times:
Monday to Thursday: 6:30pm to 10:00pm
Fridays: 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Text Based Chat Service
There is also a text based chat service (also covered by a network of fully trained volunteers) that operates online during the same hours as the phone service. It can be accessed at the bottom of LGBT Ireland’s webpage
www.lgbt.ie
The National LGBT Helpline, of which the OutWest LGBT Helpline is a founder member, is a non-judgmental and confidential service providing listening, support and information to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, their family and friends, and to those who are questioning if they might be LGBT. The LGBT Helpline service is provided by a network of fully trained volunteers from a number of local LGBT Helplines.
How the Helpline Started
OutWest was originally established in 1997 as Mayo Roscommon Outreach by a number of gay individuals, to provide the members of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community in the west and north west of Ireland with a support network.
In 2002 the Management Committee of OutWest, with the support of the members, came up with the idea of trying to set up a gay helpline in an attempt to provide support for these individuals.
Funding was sourced from the Ireland Funds and volunteers were trained. All the volunteers were trained to be non-judgemental, non-directive, and to offer warmth and understanding to all of the callers.
The Western Health Board kindly provided office space, and the Helpline was finally launched in September 2003.
OutWest wish to extend special thanks to the Ireland Funds for their generous grant towards the initial training of the Helpline volunteers and the cost of advertising the service.
We would also like to extend thanks to the HSE who have kindly provided premises from which the OutWest LGBT Helpline is able to operate.
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