London Friend - Revision history

LGBT-HP: Fix bare tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing

2026-07-10T13:08:30Z

Fix bare <references> tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing <references/>

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	Including material from the history page on the London Friend website.		Including material from the history page on the London Friend website.

	<references>		<references/>

	[[Category:Charities]]		[[Category:Charities]]
	[[Category:Consortium members]]		[[Category:Consortium members]]
	[[Category:Friend groups]]		[[Category:Friend groups]]

Wessexman: 1975 Govt grant £7,900

2019-08-09T21:53:49Z

1975 Govt grant £7,900

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	[[Mike Launder]], a social worker activist within CHE, led the formation of London Friend, which at first operated from the [[Earls Court]] flat of one of the founders. But it was soon receiving so many letters and phone calls that it moved to a community centre in Church Street, Westminster. The Chair of London Friend, [[Jack Babuscio]], a New Yorker who had witnessed the [[Stonewall]] Riots, published a book in 1976, ''[[We Speak for Ourselves]]'', which stressed the need for social services and counselling organisations to be more aware of the presence – then often hidden – of gay people and our needs.		[[Mike Launder]], a social worker activist within CHE, led the formation of London Friend, which at first operated from the [[Earls Court]] flat of one of the founders. But it was soon receiving so many letters and phone calls that it moved to a community centre in Church Street, Westminster. The Chair of London Friend, [[Jack Babuscio]], a New Yorker who had witnessed the [[Stonewall]] Riots, published a book in 1976, ''[[We Speak for Ourselves]]'', which stressed the need for social services and counselling organisations to be more aware of the presence – then often hidden – of gay people and our needs.

	London Friend was separated from CHE in 1975.		London Friend was separated from CHE in 1975. That year Friend was awarded an Urban Aid Grant of £7,900 sponsored by the London Borough of [[Islington]]. The grant was paid 75% by the [[Home Office]] and 25% by Islington Council. The grant enabled Friend to move into 274 Upper Street, Islington and appoint full time staff <ref> LSE HCA/Albany Trust/16/12 </ref>

	National Friend became a network of groups whose volunteers provided information, support and befriending to lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. Local groups were affiliated to National Friend, though they remained autonomous within agreed guidelines, which included a constitution, code of ethics, code of practice, an equal opportunities programme and a complaints procedure.		National Friend became a network of groups whose volunteers provided information, support and befriending to lesbians, gay men and bisexual people. Local groups were affiliated to National Friend, though they remained autonomous within agreed guidelines, which included a constitution, code of ethics, code of practice, an equal opportunities programme and a complaints procedure.

Wessexman: 25 Friend groups in 1976

2019-08-09T21:49:34Z

25 Friend groups in 1976

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	CHE was campaigning for equality but members soon recognised that there was a need for a telephone helpline and social support groups to help those who were isolated and coming out. They took referrals from the CHE headquarters in [[Manchester]] and the [[Manchester University Homophile Society]]. By the end of the year Friend had become a separate national counselling and befriending organisation. As the London-based organisation began to spread across the UK, and local groups grew up, the whole network began to be known as National Friend. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 with the name of National Friend Ltd.		CHE was campaigning for equality but members soon recognised that there was a need for a telephone helpline and social support groups to help those who were isolated and coming out. They took referrals from the CHE headquarters in [[Manchester]] and the [[Manchester University Homophile Society]]. By the end of the year Friend had become a separate national counselling and befriending organisation. As the London-based organisation began to spread across the UK, and local groups grew up, the whole network began to be known as National Friend. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 with the name of National Friend Ltd.

	A national network of volunteers soon evolved and at its peak Friend had 21 groups around the UK and Ireland. National Friend set out guidelines for the operation of the local groups and monitored standards. Each group was an independent body with its own patrons and support groups and offered a range of services appropriate to the needs of its local community.		A national network of volunteers soon evolved and at its peak Friend had 25 groups around the UK and Ireland <ref> 'Introducing Friend in London' booklet (1976). LSE HCA/Albany Trust/16/12 </ref>.. National Friend set out guidelines for the operation of the local groups and monitored standards. Each group was an independent body with its own patrons and support groups and offered a range of services appropriate to the needs of its local community.

	[[Mike Launder]], a social worker activist within CHE, led the formation of London Friend, which at first operated from the [[Earls Court]] flat of one of the founders. But it was soon receiving so many letters and phone calls that it moved to a community centre in Church Street, Westminster. The Chair of London Friend, [[Jack Babuscio]], a New Yorker who had witnessed the [[Stonewall]] Riots, published a book in 1976, ''[[We Speak for Ourselves]]'', which stressed the need for social services and counselling organisations to be more aware of the presence – then often hidden – of gay people and our needs.		[[Mike Launder]], a social worker activist within CHE, led the formation of London Friend, which at first operated from the [[Earls Court]] flat of one of the founders. But it was soon receiving so many letters and phone calls that it moved to a community centre in Church Street, Westminster. The Chair of London Friend, [[Jack Babuscio]], a New Yorker who had witnessed the [[Stonewall]] Riots, published a book in 1976, ''[[We Speak for Ourselves]]'', which stressed the need for social services and counselling organisations to be more aware of the presence – then often hidden – of gay people and our needs.

Ross Burgess: /* History */

2015-03-27T10:29:19Z

History

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	==History==		==History==

	London Friend was set up in London in 1971 as a [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality\|CHE]] taskforce intended to become CHE's counselling arm. The name was initially shown as FRIEND, intended as an acronym for "Fellowship for the Relief of the Isolated and Emotionally in Need and Distress."<ref>~~[[Peter Scott-Presland]],~~ ''[[Amiable Warriors]]'', ~~Chapter 5~~.</ref>		London Friend was set up in London in 1971 as a [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality\|CHE]] taskforce intended to become CHE's counselling arm. The name was initially shown as FRIEND, intended as an acronym for "Fellowship for the Relief of the Isolated and Emotionally in Need and Distress."<ref>''[[Amiable Warriors]]'', Volume One, page 379 footnote.</ref>

	CHE was campaigning for equality but members soon recognised that there was a need for a telephone helpline and social support groups to help those who were isolated and coming out. They took referrals from the CHE headquarters in [[Manchester]] and the [[Manchester University Homophile Society]]. By the end of the year Friend had become a separate national counselling and befriending organisation. As the London-based organisation began to spread across the UK, and local groups grew up, the whole network began to be known as National Friend. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 with the name of National Friend Ltd.		CHE was campaigning for equality but members soon recognised that there was a need for a telephone helpline and social support groups to help those who were isolated and coming out. They took referrals from the CHE headquarters in [[Manchester]] and the [[Manchester University Homophile Society]]. By the end of the year Friend had become a separate national counselling and befriending organisation. As the London-based organisation began to spread across the UK, and local groups grew up, the whole network began to be known as National Friend. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 with the name of National Friend Ltd.

Ross Burgess: /* History */

2014-10-26T11:07:01Z

History

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	==History==		==History==

	London Friend was set up in London in 1971 as a [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality\|CHE]] taskforce intended to become CHE's counselling arm.		London Friend was set up in London in 1971 as a [[Campaign for Homosexual Equality\|CHE]] taskforce intended to become CHE's counselling arm. The name was initially shown as FRIEND, intended as an acronym for "Fellowship for the Relief of the Isolated and Emotionally in Need and Distress."<ref>[[Peter Scott-Presland]], ''[[Amiable Warriors]]'', Chapter 5.</ref>

	CHE was campaigning for equality but members soon recognised that there was a need for a telephone helpline and social support groups to help those who were isolated and coming out. They took referrals from the CHE headquarters in [[Manchester]] and the [[Manchester University Homophile Society]]. By the end of the year Friend had become a separate national counselling and befriending organisation. As the London-based organisation began to spread across the UK, and local groups grew up, the whole network began to be known as National Friend. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 with the name of National Friend Ltd.		CHE was campaigning for equality but members soon recognised that there was a need for a telephone helpline and social support groups to help those who were isolated and coming out. They took referrals from the CHE headquarters in [[Manchester]] and the [[Manchester University Homophile Society]]. By the end of the year Friend had become a separate national counselling and befriending organisation. As the London-based organisation began to spread across the UK, and local groups grew up, the whole network began to be known as National Friend. It was incorporated as a limited company in 1987 with the name of National Friend Ltd.

Ross Burgess: /* London Friend today */

2013-10-09T16:47:56Z

London Friend today

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	*A selection of LGB&T books, magazines and information.<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/about/</ref>		*A selection of LGB&T books, magazines and information.<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/about/</ref>

	The Chief Executive of London Friend is [[Monty Moncrieff]]<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/professionals/training/our-trainers/</ref> He succeeded [[Matthew Halliday]] in 2012.		The Chief Executive of London Friend is [[Monty Moncrieff]].<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/professionals/training/our-trainers/</ref> He succeeded [[Matthew Halliday]] in 2012.

	==Women at London Friend==		==Women at London Friend==

Ross Burgess: /* London Friend today */

2013-10-09T16:45:22Z

London Friend today

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	==London Friend today==		==London Friend today==

	London Friend is now the oldest UK LGBT charity~~. Its Chief Executive, since 2012, is [[Monty Moncrieff]], succeeding [[Matthew Halliday]]~~.		London Friend is now the oldest UK LGBT charity.

	Current services include:		Current services include:
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	*A selection of LGB&T books, magazines and information.<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/about/</ref>		*A selection of LGB&T books, magazines and information.<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/about/</ref>

	The Chief Executive of London Friend is [[Monty Moncrieff]]<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/professionals/training/our-trainers/</ref>		The Chief Executive of London Friend is [[Monty Moncrieff]]<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/professionals/training/our-trainers/</ref> He succeeded [[Matthew Halliday]] in 2012.

	==Women at London Friend==		==Women at London Friend==

Ross Burgess at 16:44, 9 October 2013

2013-10-09T16:44:26Z

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	*Volunteering opportunities		*Volunteering opportunities
	*A selection of LGB&T books, magazines and information.<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/about/</ref>		*A selection of LGB&T books, magazines and information.<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/about/</ref>

			The Chief Executive of London Friend is [[Monty Moncrieff]]<ref>http://londonfriend.org.uk/professionals/training/our-trainers/</ref>

	==Women at London Friend==		==Women at London Friend==

Ross Burgess: /* References */

2013-08-11T22:25:43Z

References

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	[[Category:Charities]]		[[Category:Charities]]
	[[Category:Consortium members]]		[[Category:Consortium members]]
			[[Category:Friend groups]]

Ross Burgess: /* External sites */

2013-08-11T22:24:58Z

External sites

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	There was a women’s helpline which ran alongside the main helpline. The women’s coming out group, [[Changes]], has been meeting at London Friend since the 1980s or earlier. Many women will remember [[LAFS]], a social group which large numbers of women attended, which eventually ceased meeting and was followed by another group, [[NextStep]]. [[Janet Chambers]], who was a paid member of staff, together with women from the [[Greater London Council]], set up the [[Older Lesbian Network]], which originally met at London Friend. In the 1980s there was a black women’s group called [[Onyx]] at London Friend, which was very popular. And the [[Lesbian AA]] (Alcoholics Anonymous) group, the only one of its kind in Europe, met at London Friend for twenty years or so.		There was a women’s helpline which ran alongside the main helpline. The women’s coming out group, [[Changes]], has been meeting at London Friend since the 1980s or earlier. Many women will remember [[LAFS]], a social group which large numbers of women attended, which eventually ceased meeting and was followed by another group, [[NextStep]]. [[Janet Chambers]], who was a paid member of staff, together with women from the [[Greater London Council]], set up the [[Older Lesbian Network]], which originally met at London Friend. In the 1980s there was a black women’s group called [[Onyx]] at London Friend, which was very popular. And the [[Lesbian AA]] (Alcoholics Anonymous) group, the only one of its kind in Europe, met at London Friend for twenty years or so.

	==External ~~sites~~==		==External links==

	http://www.londonfriend.org.uk/		http://www.londonfriend.org.uk/ London Friend website

	==References==		==References==