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 – a parents/carers group in the heart of the city centre.
Birmingham – A friendly and welcoming group.
Cardiff – A brand new support group for families in Wales.
Leeds – A new support group for families in Yorkshire (and beyond!).
Lisburn – Parents and youth group meeting monthly for games and pizza nights.
London – For families in London and surrounding areas to meet, share experiences and make friends.
Manchester – A friendly group for families in the area to meet and make friends in a safe space.
Malvern – The young people often craft or bake while the parents enjoy hot drinks and talk.
Newcastle – A friendly group for families in the North East.
North Staffs – Parent and youth group monthly meet-up where everyone is welcome to join in the activities provided.
Portsmouth – Always delighted to welcome new members, whether parents, carers, siblings, children or teens.
Reading – A friendly family group with a mix of ages of young people.
Under 12’s North (Manchester) and South (London): these groups are for families with transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children under 12 to meet. Parents and carers can share experiences and support each other, while for the children it’s all about having fun together.
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 Local Groups manager. 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.