Useful Links
A list of useful links and resources curated by the Proud 2 b Parents team.
Our resources
We have leaflets covering a wide range of topics including adoption, fostering, the law surrounding fertility treatment, coming out to your children, and more on this page on our website.
Support we provide
No matter how you’re feeling, or what challenges you’re facing, Proud 2 b Parents are here to support you and your family. Take a look at the Family Support page to find out more.
LGBT+ links
Looking for more info and advice about being LGBT+ and starting your family? We have listed a number of them below. See something we have missed? Get in touch!
LGBT+ Books
Recommendations for LGBT+ storybooks for babies and children of all ages.
There is also a non-fiction section on creating a family as a LGBT+ individual/couple.
Adoption
Adoption Counts
Adoption Counts is the Regional Adoption Agency covering five Local Authorities: Cheshire East Council, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Trafford Council.
Adoption Now
Adoption Now brings together the local authority adoption services for six areas in Greater Manchester and Lancashire in the North West of England – Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Tameside, and Oldham.
Together for Adoption
Together for Adoption is a new regional adoption service made up of five local authority adoption agencies; Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, St Helens, Warrington, and Wigan.
Adoption East Midlands
Adoption East Midlands provides the full range of adoption services across the East Midlands region.
Fostering
Three Circles Fostering
Three Circles Fostering is a family run private fostering agency with a difference. Their head office is in Cheshire, and they have an office in Yorkshire and cover the Greater Manchester, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Warrington and Liverpool areas.
Pregnancy & Surrogacy
Choosing a fertility clinic
A guide from the HFEA and a search engine for all clinics in the UK.
Donor Conception Network
A site full of resources around Donor Conception, including special storybooks for every family such as families with a solo parent, same-sex parents, donor conceived twin children etc. etc.!
Fertility Network UK
Information, advice, and support around receiving fertility treatment to create your family, including special 6 week long online webinar series for LGBT+ people and an LGBT+ peer support group.
Surrogacy UK
The leading UK not-for-profit surrogacy organisation.
Wellbeing
LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation are national charity delivering advice, support and information services to LGBT+ communities.
They provide talking therapies, and services for drug recovery, domestic abuse, sexual health,
and trans advocacy.
Indigo
Indigo are an NHS adult gender service for Greater Manchester. Referral must be made by your GP, but the service provides information for any GP who does not know the referral process. As well as support for people seeking care.
Self Help Services
A user-led mental health charity. Self Help Services deliver a range of primary mental health care services and initiatives across Greater Manchester for people experiencing common mental health challenges such as anxiety and low mood.
Switchboard
The national LGBTQIA+ support line. You can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity, from sexual health, to relationships, or just the way you’re feeling. It’s your space to explore, talk and be truly heard.
Galop
Support for LGBT+ people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse, who have had problems with the police, or have questions about the criminal justice system.
Loving Me
Loving Me are a national charity that provides domestic abuse support for the trans and nonbinary community. In addition to the helpline they also run the UK’s first Trans Trans+ domestic abuse refuge.
Bi Survivors Network
Bi Survivors Network is a group of bisexual survivors facilitating peer-led, online support groups for survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence/abuse. Run bi-weekly chats via the secure messaging app Telegram.
Mermaids UK
Mermaids provide family and individual support for gender diverse and transgender children and young people. As well as the helpline, there is a group for the parents of gender diverse and trans children in Manchester that provides peer-support.
Mindout
National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer mental health service. MindOut provide information and resources on their website, and offer live chat support between 3-5pm on a Mon, Tues, & Weds.
Mind
Mind provide information, advice, and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Papyrus
Papyrus works to stop young suicide. They provide resources and phone/chat/email support for people up to the age of 35 who are feeling suicidal. You can also contact them if you are worried about a young person.
Samaritans
The Samaritans, Manchester branch offer a safe place to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. 24hr FREE phone calls from landline or mobile 116 123 as well as chat/email support.
Pride & Joy Podcast
A podcast presented by seahorse dad Freddy McConnell, looking at the diverse ways LGBT+ people create their families, incl. co-parenting.
Transpac
A website full of resources for trans parents, carers and their families, as well as information for the professionals with whom they come into contact.
Gaydio Academy Voices
A series of podcasts created by Proud 2 b Parents and Gaydio, where LGBT+ people talk about their route to parenthood and experiences of family life.
Stonewall's LGBTQ+ Family Formation Guide
Stonewall's LGBTQ+ Family Formation Guide, produced in Partnership with ISS. The guide is designed to support LGBTQ+ people to navigate the many paths to parenthood, a journey where they often face unique hurdles.
Babyzone - LGBTQ+ Parenting Experiences
A playlist offering stories from LGBTQ+ parents, blending personal narratives with expert guidance on medical, emotional, and logistical support