Silver Rainbows started in 2016 as a Brightlife-supported Body Positive project to tackle social isolation for older LGBT+ people in Cheshire West. The aim was to create a peer support network that would meet virtually and in person to share experiences and support one another.

The project also created a number of new social opportunities including the creation of Proud Marys, Cheshire’s LGBT+ choir, a regular Tea and Tattle Group and walking group Silver Strollers.

Following consultation with the Silver Rainbows Network the Heritage Project was developed to recognise the contribution of the LGBT+ communities to the history and heritage of Cheshire. In collaboration with Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Body Positive gained funding to create a permanent LGBT+ archive for Cheshire.

From Prejudice to Pride the heritage project, collects memories, artifacts, oral histories and gathers historical documents together to highlight the broad history of LGBT+ people from Cheshire’s past. The project feature exhibitions touring through the County during LGBT+ History Month each February.

The Silver Rainbows Network creates safe spaces for people to be themselves and feel comfortable when opening up. Members range from those who have been out and active in the LGBT+ communities for decades and those who are discovering themselves in their 70s and 80s.

Many older people feel separate from the younger LGBT+ ‘scene’ and need activities to enjoy with friends. There is a shared sense of history and experience which creates a bond between members of all sexualities and gender identities.

Contact us to join the network

To reduced social isolation for older LGBTQ+ people.

Increase the visibility and voices of older LGBTQ+ people and their history.

Improve health and social care services through training and consultation.

Make an impact on the health inequalities that exist for LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ older people are twice as likely to be single than their straight peers.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ people 2 1/2 times more likely to live alone due to social isolation and prejudice.

4 1/2 times more likely to have no adult children to call upon in times of need.

Significantly more likely to have damaging mental health issues due to significant health inequalities for LGBTQ+ older people.

As the project progressed, it became increasingly clear that older people’s health and social care organisations were not recognising the needs of older LGBTQ+ people in their service delivery.

Silver Rainbows developed its training programme to offer a way for organisations to train their staff and make changes to provide better and more inclusive services. The training and accreditation programmes have used feedback from services users and delivery agents to deliver real changes that will improve the lives of LGBTQ+ older people.

A range of consultation and engagement exercises with older LGBTQ+ people have highlighted a number of key areas for learning including:

Understanding the past experiences of older LGBTQ+ people is critical to understanding real and perceived barriers to fully accessing services.

Working with local LGBTQ+ organisations increases the chances of getting it right and the importance of including voices of older LGBTQ+ people and organisations in planning services aim at their peer group.