About us
METRO is an equality, diversity and inclusion services charity, working in London, Kent, Medway and Hertfordshire. We work across five domains:
Our vision
METRO’s vision is for a world where diversity is celebrated, difference respected and valued, and where optimum health and wellbeing for all is a collective goal.
Our mission
Working collaboratively with our staff, volunteers, users, partners and supporters to make a difference to people’s lives, we champion equality, nurture aspiration, embrace difference and challenge others to do so.
We promote health and wellbeing through our transformative services to anyone experiencing issues relating to sexuality, gender, equality, diversity and identity, and use our unique insight from these transformative services and our diverse heritage to influence decision makers and to effect positive change.
Our values
Innovation
We strive to deliver cutting edge, creative and entrepreneurial solutions to the individual, cultural, economic, historical and social problems we identify.
Insight
Our services and our change agenda are informed by our understanding of the power of human connection and relationships and our unique relationship with the people and communities we work with and for.
Integrity
We believe in the transformative power of inclusive services, products and experiences that are accessible to all.
Investment
We support the aspirations of all our members and users, and embrace these aspirations to ensure the sustainability of the charity through entrepreneurialism and social return on investment.
Our goal
We will to harness the power of difference and diversity to inspire and support people and communities to realise their assets and potentials and aspirations.
Our history
METRO was established 1984 in response to the development of the Greater London Council's Lesbian & Gay Charter, Changing the World.
Originally operating under the name The Greenwich Lesbian and Gay Centre and providing telephone advice and support groups, the charity broadened its remit in 1994, working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations serving lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people and those questioning their sexuality.
Over the next decade and beyond, METRO has extended its services beyond Greenwich, and across South East London, until eventually it began working not only across the whole of London, but nationally and internationally.
In early 2008, the membership of METRO agreed to amend its Constitution to provide services to all people experiencing issues related to sexuality, identity, gender and diversity.
From its inception, METRO has taken a holistic approach to lesbian, gay bisexual and trans health and well-being and continues to acknowledge that our ability to create supportive environments for LGBT people depends not only on our strengths as an organisation, but also on our capacity to build alliances and partnerships that empower all people who confront discrimination because of their sexuality, gender, identity or HIV status.
In recent years we have developed a range of services and that support African people and communities affected by HIV consolidated and expanded since our merger with Harbour Trust in December 2010.