Founded at London Registration no. 296193 | Type NGO Services Telephone counseling | |
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Formation March 1974; 43 years ago (1974-03) Legal status Charitable organization | ||
Switchboard is the oldest gay and lesbian telephone helpline in the United Kingdom, based in London.
Switchboard was founded in March 1974 as the London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, providing help and information to London's gay community. Since then, it has expanded considerably to more than 30,000 callers each year. Today, Switchboard as it is affectionately known, provides a listening service for people to discuss their feelings in an impartial and non-judgemental way, as well as information and advice for going out in London and the UK. Switchboard also operates an internet database of LGBT+ organisations in the UK known as "queery".
In 2008, Switchboard was the recipient of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. The organisation was invited and accepted to go to Buckingham Palace to collect the award. In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged the 40th anniversary of the organisation's founding, marking the first time she has had any involvement, voiced support or recognised an LGBT charity during her reign, and indeed the first time the Crown has ever publicly supported the LGBT community. LLGS received a comment from the Queen saying: “Best wishes and congratulations to all concerned on this most special anniversary.”
Switchboard rebranded to its current name in 2015 to emphasize inclusion for persons of all sexual orientation and gender identities, and that its services are not limited to London.