Switchboard, the national LGBT+ helpline, teams up with Channel 4’s Dr Christian Jessen for an unprecedented national GP programme.
Switchboard will be posting 10,000 posters to clinics to raise awareness of the types of support on offer to members of the LGBT+ communities and their friends and families. The poster is accompanied by a letter of support from Dr Christian Jessen, the well-known TV personality from shows including Embarrassing Bodies.
The poster campaign has been made possible with the support of global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright which printed the 10,000 posters free of charge.
Switchboard, whose high-profile patrons include Tom Daley, Mark Gatiss and, most recently, the writer and broadcaster Vicky Beeching, runs a national and confidential help line and online instant message service, staffed entirely by volunteers who are there to support the LGBT+ communities and anyone who has questions around sexuality and/or gender identity.
The poster details some of the reasons patients might want to contact Switchboard, such as sexual health, family relationships, coming out or gender identity.
With the tagline, Offering calm words when you need them most, the poster also features the different ways people can contact Switchboard, including the contact number for the help line, 0300 330 0630, and web address where users can access instant messaging, www.switchboard.lgbt.
Speaking about his involvement in the campaign, Dr Jessen said: “I’m delighted to be helping Switchboard with this initiative. I know that patients come to see us doctors when they’re not only worried about their physical health, but when they have concerns about their mental, emotional or sexual health as well.”
“Questions about sexuality and gender identity are often associated with teenagers, but these issues can affect people of all ages. I hope doctors display this poster in their waiting rooms so those in need can access the help they need.”
“I also hope doctors will find Switchboard useful to refer patients to if they need it.”
It’s been a busy year for Switchboard, which has been offering support to the LGBT+ communities for more than 40 years.
In June the charity underwent a major rebrand, changing its name from LLGS (London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard) to Switchboard.
The charity’s co-chair Nuala O’Sullivan says this poster initiative is another way the organisation continues to help people in the LGBT+ communities, as well as the straight community.
Nuala, said: “We’re always trying new ways to reach the people who may need some support. We recognise that GPs have lots of priorities that they have to juggle every day, so we’ve launched this campaign to make their jobs, and their patients’ lives, a little easier.”
Dave Maher, Switchboard’s other co-chair, added: “At Switchboard we promote a positive attitude to being lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans. We’re confidential too and welcoming, supportive, non-judgmental. All our volunteers are also committed to discussing safer sex to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.”
To call the LGBT+ Switchboard in London, telephone: 0300 330 0630
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