elop

Who we are

elop is an award-winning LGBTQ+ mental health and wellbeing charity with 30 years’ experience of providing high quality, professional, LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health and wellbeing services to LGBTQ+ communities across London and South Essex; along with advocating and providing LGBTQ+ voice, consultation, awareness raising, and dedicated LGBTQ+ education programmes and training services to professionals, schools, education services, and the non-profit, public, health and corporate sectors.

All elop services aim to promote the mental health, health, and well-being of all LGBTQ+ communities, which may include those who self-define as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or who have same-sex attractions or partnerships, are same-sex sexually active, are questioning sexual orientation, and/ or identify as non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, intersex, or questioning gender identity. 

Our culture and values

The elop ethos believes that one area of health & well-being, whether this be emotional, mental, psychological, physical, sexual, social, or even community, cannot be fully achieved or maintained without recognition of the opportunity for all concerns of our ‘whole self’ to be addressed.  By having a range of mental health and wellbeing services, elop can refer those using one service to another service for additional support, information, or advice as appropriate.

All elop services are provided by LGBTQ+ community members who are appropriately trained, qualified and/ or highly experienced in their area of practice.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We recognise and acknowledge the diversity of our society and that certain groups and individuals within society experience prejudice, discrimination and oppression. We are committed to challenging and eradicating the prejudice, discrimination and oppression faced by people on the grounds of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief or because someone is married or in a civil partnership. Wherever possible, elop will actively involve those groups and individuals who have traditionally faced discrimination and oppression in the running of the organisation and in the planning and development of our services. We also recognise that we may need to take positive steps to encourage previously marginalised and disadvantaged groups to use our services or apply for volunteer posts and paid employment. elop expects all staff and unpaid volunteers to demonstrate an understanding of, and an active commitment to, this policy. As an employer and deliverer of services, elop believes that all those using, visiting, contacting, and working for the organisation have the right to expect equality, respect, and a non-oppressive and safe environment. This policy is intended to support and ensure this. 2. Values As a charity we are committed to improving society. Promoting social inclusion, equality of opportunity and diversity is about ensuring inclusion, belonging and acceptance as well as challenging ourselves and others to do better. This policy is underpinned by our values and that we recognise a diverse organisation is a strong organisation and that equality and diversity is at the heart of who we are and what we do as an organisation. Equality and Diversity is something to be celebrated and elop recognises the strength this brings to the organisation 3. Statement of Intent We are committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our employees, beneficiaries and volunteers. Equality and diversity is a golden thread that supports our strategic objectives of supporting the LGBT+ community to have better mental health. We are committed to making a difference by promoting equal opportunities and equal access to our services. We are passionate about delivering services that have a positive impact for those that use them and particular focused on those who are excluded, disadvantaged and marginalised. We value the creativity that comes from involving through employment and volunteering a diverse mix of people, from different backgrounds, with differing perspectives, talents, ideas and skills. We will implement our commitments in this Equality and Diversity Policy through our day to day activities. We will identify and address the barriers due to prejudice, discrimination, economic or social exclusion. We will treat all employees, service users, volunteers, visitors, and donors with dignity and respect. We will ensure the communications we produce positively reflect and promote the diversity of our employees, volunteers, service users and the wider LGBT+ community