Local Groups
Our local groups provide safe spaces for families and young people to get together, make friends and benefit from peer-to-peer support. We’re constantly working to expand our reach to ensure that we can offer support across the country.
Mermaids’ local groups meet every month and are run by volunteers who ensure that everyone who attends feels welcome and supported.
We also have a variety of weekly, fortnightly and monthly online groups, which you can find out more about below.
Where are our Local Groups?
Belfast
Birmingham
Cardiff
Chester
London
Manchester
Newcastle
North Staffordshire
Nottingham
Portsmouth
Reading
Yorkshire (alternating between Leeds and York)
Under 12’s North (Manchester) and South (London): for families with children under 12 to meet.
Online Parent/Carer groups: an online space for parents/carers to meet and chat, meeting weekly, with a lunchtime and an evening session.
Northern Ireland: Please check out our Northern Ireland page and get in touch with the team to find out more about local groups in your area.
Don’t see a group near you?
Let us know if you are interested in setting up a group in your local area.
Join our Local Groups
Our local groups are only open to people who are on our online forums.
Apply to join the parents forum by clicking here.
Apply to join the youth forum by clicking here.
The ‘What now?’ Sessions
These friendly, reassuring sessions offer a safe space for parents whose children have recently come out to ask questions and chat things through with other people who are in a similar place. They are open to parents registered for our online community.
Youth Forum drop-in
During 2020 we added youth drop-ins to our calendar of virtual events. These informal sessions allow members of our youth forum to meet virtually, facilitated by our Youth Engagement Manger and volunteers. We play games, chat and generally catch up with each other.
Volunteer
Our local groups are run by a fantastic group of volunteers who ensure all are made to feel welcome, whether it’s their first time attending or 100th! It’s an important role, and we are always looking for new volunteers to facilitate our local groups.