Who is Opening Doors? Who is Opening Doors? Opening Doors is the only national charity specialising in supporting LGBTQ+ people over 50 in the UK. We are here to let LGBTQ+ people over 50 know they are not alone. Mission: Opening Doors is here to support LGBTQ+ people over 50 to live full, vibrant and respected lives free from isolation, loneliness discrimination and prejudice. Threat: We need to raise £120,000 by spring 2024, or we face the possibility of closing down entirely. The critical services we provide: An overview of the breadth and depth of the things Opening Doors offers the 50+ LGBTQIA+ community We seek to change the lives the LGBTQ+ people over 50 on a personal, institutional and national level. Direct service delivery to 2,500 members Community Engagement activities where we deliver over 35 activities each month ranging from lunch clubs, to choirs, film clubs and trips all to bring LGBTQ+ people together, building connections and community as we age Befriending service where the most vulnerable and isolated LGBTQ+ people over 50 are matched with a befriender who calls or visits on a regular basis, ensuring they are supported and advocated for when they are unable to do this themselves Training, education and our Pride in Care quality standard to improve the services LGBTQ+ people over 50 access We deliver training to over 1,000 health and social care professionals each year to improve their understanding of LGBTQ+ people and how they support us Pride in Care is our quality standard that organisations can undertake to demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ people over 50, following a comprehensive assessment National research and policy influencing There is a massive gap in knowledge and data around LGBTQ+ people over 50, so we work with over 15 universities to improve this knowledgebase We use our considerable experience and expertise to influence local and national policy makers to improve the world for LGBTQ+ people over 50, now and in the future Need: Members: Our research shows that 92 percent of our befriendees have a disability, 80 percent have experienced mental health problems and 85 percent live alone We have over 95 volunteers contacting their befriendee each week More than 3,105 calls and visits with volunteer befrienders over the year 128+ befriending members supported and 243 referrals to external organisations and charities From Only Connect, a report by Opening Doors on the impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on our members: 50% of respondents reported a negative impact on their psychological wellbeing 18% felt much more depressed than usual 23% experienced worsened physical health during lockdown 37% felt more lonely than usual 27% hardly ever or never had someone to talk to Manage Cookie Preferences