Tim Spoor is an award-winning CEO, of the newly launched mental health and wellness charity Queerwell, and campaigner for LGBTQIA+ rights for over 30 years. I first met Tim in 2014, and greatly admired his positive impact on our community. He has been at the forefront of many national campaigns, bringing forward policies which have benefitted our community. At this difficult time, nationally and internationally, it was great to catch up with Tim and learn more about what is motivating him at the moment.
I began by asking Tim about Queerwell?
Queerwell is a new and unique national charity founded in 2024 by LGBTQIA+ people with lived experience of mental health challenges, but also professional experience supporting LGBTQIA+ people accessing mental health services. Our mission is to champion positive mental health within LGBTQIA+ communities by offering inclusive, innovative, and accessible wellbeing support. We deliver therapy, coaching, skills-based workshops, and mindfulness based playshops – including puppy therapy. Our services are free or low-cost, co-created with the community, and led by experienced LGBTQIA+ qualified professionals.
How does Queerwell deliver its services?
We offer our mental health and wellness services both online and in-person, depending on what works best for people. Also, where people can afford to pay a contribution to their therapy, we have a “community kindness” access to donate approach. This helps keep the service free or low cost for others. Queerwell is about healing, building our own resilience, and joy – ensuring LGBTQIA+ people have somewhere that truly understands who they are. We need to address the mental health challenges LGBTQIA+ people face, because we are massively underserved.
Tim Spoor
What in particular impacts LGBTQIA+ mental health and wellness?
LGBTQIA+ people face unique mental health challenges, due to persistent discrimination, social exclusion, and systemic barriers in healthcare, housing and employment. Many of us have experienced rejection, bullying, or isolation. Even within healthcare, many LGBTQIA+ individuals report poor experiences, including misgendering or a lack of cultural understanding, leading to delayed care or opting-out altogether. Mainstream services often don’t meet our community’s needs, while private therapy is financially out of reach. People with intersectional identities are often impacted more. At Queerwell we focus on prevention, creating a sense of community, belonging and empowerment – creating spaces where LGBTQIA+ people feel seen, heard, and supported to thrive.
So, who inspires you?
Firstly, I’d like to mention Maari Nastari, co-founder of Queerwell, a trans woman of colour, who we sadly lost last December. She gave 19 years of her life to providing support to LGBTQIA+ people facing homelessness, housing issues and domestic violence. Queerwell delivers its work in memory of her. Secondly, the LGBTQIA+ community also inspires me, especially those who get out of bed every day and face a world where they may experience discrimination, isolation, loneliness, anxiety and other forms of poor mental health. That is the biggest achievement – getting up and facing the world. It can be so hard for many LGBTQIA+ people, which is why Queerwell will be there for them.
How can people support Queerwell?
Queerwell is creating radical, affirming support, including therapy, coaching, and creative healing spaces that actually work for our community. We’re done waiting. With your help, we’ll build a future where every queer person gets the care they deserve. Be the change. Please donate to our #BeWell25 campaign, so that we can launch our services this summer. For example, £25 could ensure a person can access a learning space workshop or PlayShop. We want to focus on delivering our services in places where there are fewer options. You can also provide support to Queerwell as a volunteer or practitioner – all our therapists, coaches and facilitators are paid. And, you can fundraise for us.
