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 LGBTQI+ specialist service, run by LGBTQI people with LGBTQI people. Our main aim is to provide a sanctuary for LGBTQI+ people – somewhere safe to socialise free from discrimination or feeling like the “odd one out”, receive therapies to improve mental health, and enjoy learning new skills in a supportive atmosphere.
We meet every Tuesday between 11:00am and 4:00pm, both in-person and online.
Our number is 020 7272 5038
Our address is 35 Ashley Road, London N19 3AG
Our email is outcome@islingtonmind.org.uk
Our Twitter is @outcomelgbtiq
We welcome new people all the time. If you would like to join Outcome please complete the referral form above, call us, or email us and a member of the team will be in touch. 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
Yoga: 12:30pm – 1:00pm
Lunch: 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Women’s group: 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Men’s group: 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
Drop-in space (in person): 11:00am – 4:00pm
Drop-in space (online): 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Women’s group: 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Enjoy a homemade healthy vegan meal in person on Wednesdays from 12:00pm, free for all asylum seekers and refugees.
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.
RainbowRun – building on the success of our Comic Relief funded sports and movement project for LGBTQ+ people, we aim to continue to reduce isolation and improve mental health and physical wellbeing through gentle and accessible physical activity. This project runs across the week
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.
- 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.
Our Psychotherapy service is offered to Outcome members only.
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.
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 work closely with other service providers to raise awareness about the specific needs of LGBTQ+ individuals who experience mental distress. We also network with other LGBTQ+ groups and providers and invite speakers to help empower our clients around issues including:
- Combating homophobia
- Accessing housing, welfare and training support
- Safer sex, including regular pop-up sexual health clinics and advice sessions
- Cooking and nutrition
- Managing debt
We love to work with other LGBTQI+ organisations. If you would like to collaborate on an event, share knowledge, or want someone from Outcome to speak at your workplace, please contact 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.
We are very pleased that Outcome was shortlisted for Charity or Non-Profit Organisation of the Year at the British Diversity Awards.
Outcome is one of eight nominees shortlisted for the Charity or Non-Profit Organisation of the Year award for 2019. The winner will be announced when the situation is more stable and will automatically be shortlisted for the European Diversity Awards.
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
