KeshetUK partners with Switchboard to strengthen support for LGBT+ Jews
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
KeshetUK, the UK’s Jewish LGBT+ education and training charity has announced a new partnership with Switchboard, the national LGBTQIA+ helpline, to deliver specialist training and guidance on Jewish LGBT+ inclusion to all Switchboard volunteers. Every year, Switchboard handles around 15,000-30,000 calls messages and emails. According to the 2021 UK census there are approximately 9,600 LGBT+ Jews in England and Wales.
The partnership comes at a critical time as levels of antisemitism in the UK have risen significantly over the past three years, alongside a number of recent violent antisemitic incidents in Manchester and London. This has had a profound impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Jewish communities, including those who also identify as LGBT+.
LGBT+ people already experience disproportionately poor mental health outcomes.
Research consistently shows that LGBT+ individuals are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts than the general population, driven by stigma, discrimination and social isolation. In the UK, LGB+ people are significantly more likely to die by suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts (ONS, 2026) with the risk of drug-related death three times higher for LGBT+ people (ONS, 2026). Overall, LGBT+ people are 1.5 times more likely to develop depression and anxiety compared to the rest of the population (Mental Health Foundation, 2025).
For LGBT+ Jews, these challenges can be compounded by the recent rise in antisemitism across the UK (Board of Deputies, 2025), increasing fear, stress and a sense of insecurity in everyday life felt by LGBT+ Jews. Recent research from the United States has shown that LGBT+ Jews are feeling increasingly isolated and excluded from LGBT+ spaces since October 7th (Eshel/A Wider Bridge, 2024).
Through this partnership, KeshetUK will build on Switchboard’s existing high-quality training by deepening volunteers’ understanding of the specific experiences and concerns of LGBT+ Jews. The additional training will enhance volunteer confidence, ensuring they can continue to provide informed, inclusive support to callers who identify as both Jewish and LGBT+.
This initiative reinforces Switchboard’s commitment to offering a safe, unbiased and compassionate service, while reinforcing KeshetUK’s mission to ensure that LGBT+ Jews never feel forced to choose between their Jewish and LGBT+ identities, whatever the context.
Ariel Chapman, Executive Director of KeshetUK, said:
“At a time when many in our community are telling us that they are afraid and experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, this partnership will ensure that LGBT+ Jews can access timely and appropriate support whenever they need it. KeshetUK has been trusted by the Jewish community to deliver impactful education and training for over ten years and it’s a privilege to bring this work to Switchboard.”
Stephanie Fuller, CEO of Switchboard, said:
“Since 1974, Switchboard has been providing a safe space for all parts of the LGBTQIA+ Communities. We never know what the next conversation will be about, and we don’t judge. Our purpose is to provide a safe space for anyone within our community, regardless of their background.
For many within our community, faith is an important part of their lives, yet it
sometimes conflicts with their identities. We have a continuous programme of learning for all of our listening volunteers on a wide range of subjects, including faith and minority groups, and we recognise the importance of this partnership with KeshetUK as significant to the Jewish members of the LGBTQIA+ community in a time of rising concern."
KeshetUK has a long track record of working with organisations across the UK to improve understanding of LGBT+ Jewish identity, delivering training to schools, community organisations and national bodies. This partnership reflects a shared commitment between KeshetUK and Switchboard to ensure that no one is forced to choose between different parts of their identity when seeking support.
