Rainbow Health and Care

Tackling health inequalities for LGBTQ+ people in Redbridge

Tackling health inequalities project (2025 - 26)

We are working work with local health and care services to ensure support is available, accessible and inclusive to help to address health inequalities for LGBTQ+ people. As part of this work we are offering:

  • Free action planning workshops and mentoring for organisations reviewing their approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion to date and developing a forward plan

  • A community of practice for lead contacts from each service can connect and share experiences and advice

  • Online masterclasses on priority areas

  • A systems-wide event and toolkit to champion action on LGBTQ+ health inequalities.

If you would like to take action in your service, please contact us to arrange an initial discussion to explore your objectives, needs and the best way to support you.

Alongside this work with local services, we are also running creative health sessions for local LGBTQ+ people to address physical and mental health inequalities. See our events page to find out more.

This project is supported by the NHS North East London Integrated Care Board.

The experiences of LGBTQ+ people accessing health and care services in Redbridge (2024 report)

There is a gap in understanding of the health and social care experiences of LGBTQ+ Redbridge residents. Evidence indicates that LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of having poorer outcomes across multiple health and care issues, yet little is known about the situation in Redbridge. In the first half of 2024, we ran a rapid research project to explore LGBTQ+ people’s experiences of health and care services, as well as the perspectives of health and care workers.

LGBTQ+ specific issues highlighted by the research included challenges around sharing LGBTQ+ identities, mixed visibility and clarity around LGBTQ+ inclusion, assumptions and misconceptions, apparent variability in levels of training, awareness or comfort, as well as some specific gaps in services for LGBTQ+ people and concerns about whether care services are future-proofed for LGBTQ+ inclusion. The report also includes advice on action planning, top tips for working with LGBTQ+ people and a glossary of common LGBTQ+ terms.

This project was supported by a grant from Healthwatch Redbridge’s Community Cash Fund.

This six-minute presentation summarises some of the key findings and the resources available within the report.