LGBT Foundation has temporarily shifted to become a remote service delivery charity due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This means that all our face-to-face services have been paused until further notice. To find out more about what this means for this service, you can call us on 0345 3 30 30 30 or email [email protected]
Trans or non-binary? Facing a barrier to a service, or experiencing discrimination, based on your gender identity? The Trans Advocacy Service can help
If you are facing barriers to services or experiencing discrimination related to your gender identity, trans advocacy is a form of practical support which can help you overcome these issues. An advocate can work alongside you, helping to amplify your voice when speaking to the organization that has put the barrier in place or discriminated against you. The goal of advocacy is to empower you to access the services to which are entitled and to help ensure that your rights are protected.
How does advocacy work?
Advocates can offer support by:
- Providing you with the information you need to understand your rights, make informed decisions and access the different avenues of support available to you
- Helping you to explore your options and develop the skills and confidence you need to navigate services
- Empowering you to speak and, in complex cases, speaking with the third party organization on your behalf, in order to advocate for the protection of your rights.* This can include attending advocacy focused meetings within the Manchester area.
*Because the aim of the advocacy service is to empower trans people, we will encourage you to find ways of speaking for yourself before speaking on your behalf
What issues can we provide support with?
We can provide advocacy support in any area where you are experiencing barriers to services or discrimination, based on your gender identity or expression. Areas where advocacy is often useful include:
- Gender Identity related healthcare
- Mental Health
- Housing
- Benefits
- Employment
- Education
- Discrimination from service providers (including single sex services)
This list does not cover every area. If you are unsure whether trans advocacy is right for you, please ask!
Who is the Trans Advocacy Service For?
The Trans Advocacy service is open to anyone who:
- Identifies with a gender which is different from the one which they were assigned at birth
- Is experiencing discrimination or a barrier to a service, based on their gender identity
- Is 16 years of age or over
- Lives in the Manchester or Greater Manchester area
The majority of our advocacy support is delivered remotely via Zoom/Teams or phone call. We do have limited capacity for in-person appointments, beginning in April 2022, although the waiting times for face to face appointments will be significantly longer than remote. Advocates can travel to meetings within Central Manchester area only.
How to Access the Service
To access trans advocacy sessions, please complete the following referral form. You will be contacted shortly after to arrange an appointment, or provide further information where required. We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3 weeks, however this may be longer doing busy periods.
If you need some help but aren’t sure which service is best to use, our initial assessment provides information and support to help you get access to the services you need, or you can contact us on [email protected] to ask any questions.
Boundaries to the Service
If you have a general enquiry about how to access trans support, the quickest way to find the answer you are looking for may be through our resource guide, which can be found here. If you are mainly seeking emotional support, you can either access crisis support, call our helpline on 0345 3303030 or come to see us in our building (for immediate support), or access our Talking Therapies/ Counselling service (for long-term support). You can click the links, or look to the right of this box to find a summary of crisis support. Advocates are not able to provide legal advice and are not expert in all support areas. If we feel that you would be better supported by another service, we will help you find information about that service.
If you feel unsure whether the service is right for you, please ask!
Crisis Support
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel concerned that you may harm yourself please contact the following services:
SAMARITANS (24 hours, 7 days a week)
116 123 (free call) / 0161 236 8000 (local charges apply)
THE SANCTUARY (8 pm-6 pm)
0300 003 7029
If you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm - either to yourself or someone else - phone 999. If it is not an emergency but you require urgent advice, call 101. Visit your local Accident & Emergency department if necessary.
