LGBTQ+ unpaid Carers in Birmingham will benefit from continued peer support and new Resilience Building Workshops, thanks to a £870 grant from the Birmingham Pride Community Foundation.
The funding will help Forward Carers strengthen its dedicated LGBTQ+ Carer Support Group, providing a welcoming space where Carers can connect, share experiences and access activities that support their emotional wellbeing.
A Support Group Shaped by Carers’ Voices
The Birmingham LGBTQ+ Carer Support Group was created in direct response to feedback from unpaid Carers who told us they wanted a dedicated space to meet others who understood their experiences.
Through our Carers Voice programme, we listened to LGBTQ+ Carers about the challenges they face and what would help them feel better supported.
More than seven in ten respondents said they would welcome a support group specifically for LGBTQ+ Carers.
One Carer explained:
“A dedicated LGBTQ+ carers group would help me feel more at ease sharing personal experiences without worrying about assumptions or prejudice. It also helps connect with people who understand the intersection of caring responsibilities and LGBTQ+ identity, which often brings its own challenges.”
Another shared:
“Being in a space where people understand both the caring role and the experiences that come with being LGBTQ+ would make me feel more comfortable and supported. It creates a sense of safety, belonging, and shared understanding that can be harder to find in general support groups.”
These powerful insights helped shape a group where Carers can feel comfortable being themselves, build friendships and find understanding among people with shared experiences.
Earlier this year, funding from NNS Bridging Communities enabled Forward Carers to secure a regular meeting space at the Birmingham LGBT Centre, establishing a welcoming and familiar home for the group.
Celebrating Support from Birmingham Pride Community Foundation
The group has now received a further boost, with £870 awarded by Birmingham Pride Community Foundation to help sustain its activities and introduce new Resilience Building Workshops.
The Foundation supports LGBTQIA+ community initiatives across the West Midlands, with grants made possible through a ring-fenced £2 donation from every Birmingham Pride festival ticket sold.
Following a successful application and interview, Forward Carers was delighted to be selected for funding.
The award was officially presented at the Birmingham Pride Community Fund Awards Ceremony on 6 November 2026.
Neil Joesbury, an unpaid Carer who volunteers to lead the group, attended the ceremony alongside fellow LGBTQ+ Carers and Bernie Huntingdon from Forward Carers.
The occasion was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the group’s achievements and recognise the importance of creating inclusive spaces for unpaid Carers.
Neil Joesbury and Bernie Huntingdon
Building Resilience and Supporting Carer Wellbeing
The new funding will help introduce Resilience Building Workshops, offering Carers practical ways to manage stress, strengthen their emotional wellbeing and build confidence.
Through gentle movement, breathwork, journalling and creative activities, participants will be encouraged to take time for themselves, explore their feelings and develop techniques they can use in everyday life.
For unpaid Carers, finding time to focus on their own wellbeing can be challenging. These workshops will provide an opportunity to recharge, connect with others and develop a personal toolkit for managing the pressures of caring.
Bernie Huntingdon, Carer Engagement Project Manager at Forward Carers, expressed her gratitude for the award:
“This funding means so much more than keeping a group running. It means continuing to provide a place where LGBTQ+ Carers feel seen, valued, understood and supported.”
Making a Difference Through Shared Experiences
For Neil Joesbury, who cares for his dad and brother, the group is about much more than attending meetings. It is about friendship, belonging and helping others feel less alone.
Neil said:
“I am really grateful for this funding. Through the Carers Voice programme, we started to make changes to get support for LGBT Carers. I hope by sharing my experiences caring for my dad and brother, that I’m able to help other carers. The group gives carers and their loved ones the chance to listen to talks, make new friends, have fun, be themselves and gain support.”
Neil’s commitment to supporting fellow Carers demonstrates the difference that lived experience and peer support can make.
The group continues to grow as a space where LGBTQ+ Carers can share experiences, enjoy activities, learn something new and build meaningful connections.
Join the Birmingham LGBTQ+ Carer Support Group
Are you an LGBTQ+ unpaid Carer living in Birmingham? We’d love to welcome you.
Whether you care for a partner, parent, family member or friend, the group offers a friendly and supportive environment where you can meet others who understand the challenges and rewards of caring.
You don’t need to have attended a support group before. Whether you would like to share your experiences, make new friends or simply enjoy some time for yourself, you are welcome.
Meeting details
- When: Monthly on Tuesdays, 12 noon – 2.00 pm
- Where: Birmingham LGBT Centre
- Who: LGBTQ+ unpaid Carers in Birmingham
Meeting dates vary, so please check the Birmingham Carers Hub What’s On page for upcoming sessions or contact Neil for further information: neiljoesbury@gmail.com
Creating a More Inclusive Future for Carers
At Forward Carers, we believe every unpaid Carer deserves to feel recognised, valued and supported, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances.
By listening to Carers and working alongside community partners, we can help remove barriers, tackle isolation and create more inclusive opportunities for support.
Our sincere thanks go to Birmingham Pride Community Foundation and NNS Bridging Communities for helping us turn Carers’ voices into meaningful action.
