Give the gift of friendship this Christmas!

Opening Doors London's befriending service is currently supporting 92 older lesbian gay, bi and trans (LGBT+) people across London who experience loneliness and social isolation. Having a befriender can have a massive impact on someone's life, especially around Christmas.

Mauritz first became a befriender with ODL hoping to inspire and be inspired. He started visiting Dennis every week, and soon after celebrated his 90th birthday with him.

Mauritz made a point of visiting Dennis on Christmas Day as he knew he would be spending it alone. Exchanging presents on Christmas morning, Dennis told Mauritz it was the first time he had spent Christmas Day with someone for 55 years. In his nineties, Dennis found the friend he had been missing his whole life.

Could you donate to support the befriending service?

Having lived a lifetime with fear of prejudice and discrimination, older LGBT+ people are more likely to be socially isolated.

Research also shows that, in general, LGBT+ people over-55 are:

- More likely to live alone. 41% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are in single households compared to 28% of heterosexual people

- Less likely to have children. Just over a quarter of gay and bisexual men and half of lesbian and bisexual women have children compared to almost 9 in 10 heterosexual men and women

(Stonewall's Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People in Later Life, 2011 report)

ODL is currently the largest organisation in the UK providing a befriending service specifically to older LGBT+ people. Your donation helps our dedicated befriending team to continue their great work, and could help an older LGBT+ person find a friend for life.