About beyou
We are a social and emotional support group for any adult from the LGBTQIA+ community.
We aim to provide a safe, private, environment where everyone can just be themselves while spending time with like-minded people.
Emotional support
Our service provides peer support and counselling for the LGBTQIA+ community, offering a safe, inclusive space to discuss personal challenges, identity, and well-being. We provide compassionate, confidential support to help individuals navigate issues related to mental health, relationships, and self-acceptance.
social support
Our service provides social support for the LGBTQIA+ community through group peer support meet-ups, offering a safe and inclusive environment to connect with others. These meet-ups encourage open conversations, shared experiences, and mutual support, helping individuals build a strong sense of community and belonging.
Beyou is managed by TVPS
Beyou History (1979–Present)
In the words of founder John Wood, with updates from TVPS
1979:
Reading Gay Switchboard launched on October 5th, 1979 as a westward buffer for the London Gay Switchboard.
Offered a confidential listening and information service to anyone who called.
Common early questions included:
Where are the gay/lesbian hangouts?
How do you know if you’re gay or lesbian?
Do you need to wear something to identify as gay?
1985:
Renamed to Reading Gay & Lesbian Helpline (RGLH).
Recruited new volunteers with a 50/50 split of gay men and lesbians.
Late 1980s–1990s:
Continued through the AIDS crisis and Section 28, challenging stigma and misinformation.
Helped launch Reachout, a youth group that still exists today through Reading Borough Council.
Community Connections:
Built links with local gay pubs such as The Wynford, The Granby, and The Malthouse.
Hosted socials while maintaining confidentiality of the helpline.
Provided ongoing training to address topics raised by callers.
From RGLH to beYOU:
Rebranded as beYOU – a more inclusive identity-focused name.
Reflected a wider move away from labels, as many helplines nationwide began to close due to the internet.
Participated in Reading Pride, with a shift toward face-to-face support and fewer phone calls.
2015:
TVPS was asked to take over the management of beYOU.
Continued to run in Reading until the COVID-19 pandemic.
Post-COVID Evolution:
During the pandemic, a wave of new LGBTQ+ social and support groups emerged in Reading – TVPS counted 26!
With a vibrant local scene, beYOU took a well-earned Reading break and opened a Slough branch, where there had been no LGBTQ+ support or social groups.
beYOU in Slough has since thrived, filling a vital gap in local provision.
Looking Ahead:
As Reading faces the loss of several key services, TVPS is actively exploring the possibility of bringing beYOU back to Reading, alongside the successful Slough group.