Mermaids

Support for Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse Children, Young People and Their Families

What They Offer: Founded in 1995 by a group of parents coming together around a kitchen table to support their children, Mermaids has grown into one of the UK’s leading charities supporting gender-diverse young people and their families. They provide a confidential helpline, webchat, email support, moderated online forums, local community groups, and residential weekend events. Their approach centres on reducing isolation, building confidence and helping families navigate education, health services and the law — wherever a young person’s gender journey takes them.

Support Includes:

• Free confidential helpline — phone, webchat and email (Mon–Fri)
• Moderated online forums and peer communities for young people and parents separately
• Local community groups across the UK
• Residential weekends and family days — bringing families and young people together
• Information and guidance for parents on supporting a gender-diverse child
• Signposting to current legislation, rights and local services
• Training and awareness sessions for schools, healthcare professionals and organisations
• Resources for professionals working with gender-diverse young people

Referral / Access: Self-referral. No referral needed. Support line open Monday–Friday, 1pm–8:30pm. Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles and do not appear on itemised bills. Email support available outside helpline hours.

Why This Matters: For many families, discovering their child is transgender or gender-diverse brings a mixture of love, confusion, fear and questions they don’t know how to ask. Mermaids was created by parents who were in exactly that position — and that understanding runs through everything they do. Whether your child has just come out to you or you’ve been navigating this journey for years, Mermaids offers a safe, compassionate space for the whole family.