Support our community
Everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are.
Your donation to Beyou directly supports LGBTQ+ people by funding inclusive meet-ups, workshops, and peer support groups.
Whether it’s a one-off gift or a monthly donation, you’ll be helping us champion equality, nurture pride, and make sure no
LGBTQ+ person is left without support.
The power of regular donations
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£5 a month
Supports the resources we use at BeYou sessions, from creative materials to providing counsellors, helping LGBTQ+ people explore, learn, and connect. -
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£10 a month
Supports the running of BeYou’s safe spaces, where LGBTQ+ people can connect, build confidence, and find strength in community.
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£20 a month
Supports one-to-one guidance for an LGBTQ+ person, helping them navigate challenges around identity, relationships, and wellbeing with confidence.
Why regular giving matters:
One-off gifts make an immediate difference. Monthly donations allow Beyou to commit to long-term projects, be there in emergencies, and respond quickly when new needs arise. With your ongoing support, we can ensure no one in our area, from the LGBTQ+ community, is left behind.
Don’t forget to Gift Aid your donation!
If you’re a UK taxpayer, ticking the Gift Aid box when you give through PayPal lets Thames Valley Positive Support claim an extra 25%, at no extra cost to you.
Just click “Yes, add Gift Aid” when PayPal asks.
Every £10 becomes £12.50. Thank you for helping your gift go further!PayPal will share your name and address with us so we can claim Gift Aid. Please let us know if your tax status changes
The need for beyou services
A growing and diverse community
The UK’s LGB+ community has grown rapidly, increasing from 1.2 million people in 2018 to 2.1 million people in 2023, a jump from 2.2% to 3.8% of the population. (Office for National Statistics Sexual orientation, UK - Office for National Statistics )
Local realities in Reading
An estimated 4.2% of people aged 16 and over identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or another minority sexual orientation (LGB+), compared with the UK national average of 3.8%. It’s worth noting that around 9% of Reading residents chose not to state their sexual orientation, so the true figure may be higher. (ONS Census Maps - Census 2021 data interactive, ONS and national average stat Sexual orientation, UK - Office for National Statistics)
Mental health and safety
In the past 12 months, 21% of LGBT people, around one in five, have experienced a hate crime or incident linked to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
(Parliament UK OHC0034 - Evidence on Hate crime and its violent consequences)
The suicide rate among LGB+ people is more than double that of heterosexual people. 50.3 per 100,000, compared with 23.1 per 100,000 for heterosexual people. (Office for National Statistics Self-harm and suicide by sexual orientation, England and Wales - Office for National Statistics
Local realities in Slough
Only 1.9% of residents aged 16+ identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or another minority sexual orientation (LGB+), compared with the England & Wales average of 3.2%. Around 9.8% chose not to state their sexual orientation, and 46.7% of the population is Asian or Asian British. Cultural and religious factors within some communities can make people less likely to disclose their sexual orientation, meaning the true proportion of LGB+ residents is likely higher than reported.
(Sexual orientation - Census Maps, ONS)
In Reading and Slough, national challenges are intensified by local realities. High population turnover, housing pressures, and significant cultural and ethnic diversity, including communities where discussing sexual orientation is less accepted, meaning many LGBTQ+ residents may feel unable to be open about their identity or to seek help. As a result, the true size of the LGBTQ+ population is likely higher than reported, and the need for safe, inclusive support like BeYou is even greater.