All posts by webperson

Spectrum

Spectrum Trans Counselling Service

spectrum trans counselling serviceSpectrum Trans Counselling Service

Information for Referrers

Spectrum, part of Spectra CIC, is a well-established peer-led health and wellbeing service for people of trans experience. For several years Spectrum has run two monthly drop-in groups, as well as individual mentoring, advocacy and signposting.

Funded by City Bridge Trust, Spectrum Trans Counselling Service provides free confidential, short-term individual and group counselling for people who identify as trans, non-binary or are questioning their gender identity. We work with a range of issues and concerns which do not have to relate directly to gender identity. We will also be offering occasional wellbeing workshops on topics of interest to our service users.

Face-to-face integrative counselling is available from our wheelchair-accessible offices in Ladbroke Grove. Online and telephone counselling is also available. Following assessment, clients will usually be offered an initial course of eight individual counselling sessions. The service is also able to refer or signpost people to external services that offer longer term or specialist counselling. Please note that we are not a crisis service and clients at high risk will be signposted or referred on to primary or secondary NHS services.

The service is run by a BACP Registered Counsellor and abides by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. We are committed to practising counselling in ways that are inclusive, accessible and affirming to clients from all backgrounds, cultures, races, beliefs, sexualities, abilities and gender identities.

Making a Referral

Self-referral is generally preferred – clients can apply through the website www.spectrum.support, or a self-referral form can be sent out by post on request. In cases where clients are involved with NHS secondary care (Community Mental Health Teams), then a recommendation from a psychiatrist or other mental health professional will be required (with client consent).

Professionals who are considering referring clients can make informal enquiries by contacting us at counselling@spectrum.support or 020 3322 6923.

spectrum trans counselling service 2

Please follow and like us:
Share
What's new

New TAGS website tagswim.co.uk

TAGS SwimmingTAGS have a new website tagswim.co.uk. It has now had over 5000 views. It just shows the level of interest and that the development and growth of safe spaces for the trans and gender non-conforming community is, so needed. Tag Support CIC has had lots of new media attention. Our new Tags film is in the editing stage, and the producers are very pleased with progress. We have an interview with a broadsheet next week and are waiting for the release of an article in a well known media online publication.We are looking into developing new spaces all the time. The progress with the support from Tags volunteers has been amazing. Considering, we started developing our first space, two years ago the growth has been rapid. Thanks to everyone who has helped support this growing initiative. You are all stars!
Tag Support CIC.
Please follow and like us:
Share
Galop, What's new

Galop to run National LGBT Domestic Violence Helpline

Press Release

Galop to run National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline

The national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) Domestic Violence Helpline will now run by Galop, the leading LGBT anti-violence and abuse charity. Galop has been working for 33 years to support LGBT victims of abuse, violence and discrimination through a variety of services, including a helpline and as the lead partner of The Domestic Abuse Partnership which is the only specialist multi-agency community response to LGBT Domestic abuse.

Galop has worked quickly with Broken Rainbow and the Home Office, which funds the service, to ensure that there is no gap in service.

Nik Noone, Galop’s Chief Executive said “This is a vital service and it is important that those experiencing domestic violence in our communities have somewhere to turn when they need support. Galop has worked with all parties to make sure that support continues and there is no disruption to the delivery of this key service.”

Bob Green, Stonewall Housing’s, Chief Executive said “I am delighted that Broken Rainbow’s services will continue within Galop. As the lead organisation of the LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership, Galop have ensured high quality services are delivered for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse and that the emerging themes are considered by partners, providers, commissioners and decision-makers.  I look forward to these services growing in the future under Galop’s direction”.

Number of the Helpline – 0300 999 5428 or 0800 9995428

Opening Times:

10am – 8pm Monday
10am – 5pm Tuesday
10am – 5pm Wednesday
10am – 8pm Thursday
1pm – 5pm Friday
(1pm – 5pm Tuesday is trans specific service).

For further information, please contact info@galop.org.uk

Please follow and like us:
Share
TAGS, What's new

TAGS North London Swim!

TAGS North London Swim

Tag Support CIC (TAGS), is pleased to announce, its monthly, North London Swimming Session at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, starting on Monday 20th June, between 20.30-22.00.  (Please note this is a change of date)
The price is £5.55 for the session.
The space, like the Lewisham space, is completely self enclosed with our own changing rooms. There is a cafe in the centre, and one of the Tags volunteers will be there at the pool to support.
Megan and Roberta will be training Pool staff with a short 45 minute course, to ensure that all staff are made aware of trans issues.
The pool has disabled access and the event is for 16+ swimmers.
For more information contact Roberta: robertatrans21@gmail.com
Please follow and like us:
Share
Gendered Intelligence

School Revision: Trans Inclusion in Education

School RevisionDo you want to come to Gendered Intelligence’s School Revision: Trans Inclusion in Education event?

If you are a young person who attends our youth groups or a parent or carer who will be keen to also attend, please register your interest  Be sure to let us know that you are from Gendered Intelligence (by adding that where it says ‘other’ regarding where you’re from etc.) We have 8 places left for our young members and their parents/carers. 

If you are a member of the trans community, work in education, are a journalist or work in a sector that is involved in improving school life you might also be interested in attending the day – please register your interest alongside others!

School Revision is all about starting to imagine what school life for young, trans people could look like in the future. Organised in collaboration with Juno Roche, Wipe Out Transphobia, Gendered Intelligence and All About Trans, the day-long event will be held in a primary school and planned around the daily life of gender variant school pupils. We are inviting participants from the trans community, education sector, local authorities and the media to take part in interactive lessons and workshops throughout the day. Lessons include Biology, P.E., Design & Technology, Drama, Media Studies and more.  These will be led by trans speakers and teachers and designed as if the education environment and curriculum was inclusive of trans and non-binary people. Check out the full schedule. Participants will have the opportunity to network and take useful resources, valuable learning and practical action points away with them which will be applicable in the workplace.

Free to attend and with refreshments and lunch provided, the event is held at Lark Hall Primary School in Stockwell, south London, on Saturday 11th June from 9.30am to 4pm. Places are limited in the school so please register your interest and tell us why you’d like to take part. For more information about the event  visit our website.

#TransPupilsMatter/ #TransSchool

School Revision: Trans Inclusion in Education
W: www.schoolrevision.org.uk
E: team@schoolrevision.org.uk
P:

School Revision: Organisers

Juno Roche, Wipe Out Transphobia, Gendered Intelligence and All About Trans

Please follow and like us:
Share
Gendered Intelligence, One off events

The Corpse Project: Gendered Intelligence

The Corpse ProjectThe Corpse Project

Trans and non-binary people are often faced with life difficulties in this overly gender binaried world. Consequently, there is little opportunity to explore how we deal with the trans and non-binary body after death.

Gendered Intelligence are looking for a small group of people who are over the age of 16 and would like to get involved.

We welcome trans people and our friends, family and allies.

It is open to people with any or no spiritual background and any opinions about the body after death.

The Corpse Project is a national research project asking ‘How can we lay our bodies to rest so they help the living and the earth?’ It is offering places to the Gendered Intelligence community to talk about trans bodies after death and to be part of its unique programme, supported by the Wellcome Trust.

Over four days in June, we will visit a crematorium, a cemetery and a funeral director, learn about rituals and make our own ‘rituals for the trans soul’. We will look at how to turn the body into compost, the pros and cons of burial and cremation, future technologies and about how various cultures through the world treat bodies in a specific and gendered way after death. This is a sensitive but interesting, universal and very urgent topic, as land for burial gets scarce and we need to protect the environment. It is also very important that our bodies are dealt with in a way which respects our identity when we are alive. We will make sure this is a creative, respectful experience for all participants. It will be thoughtful but not miserable and sometimes fun.

It will be led by Dr Sophie Churchill from The Corpse Project supported by Krishna Istha.

 The programme:

Saturday June 4th, 4pm to 7pm –  Opening Session at GI, 200a Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JP.

Friday June 10th, 10.30am to 3pm – Golders Green Crematorium and return to GI.

Monday June 13th, 10.30am to 1.30pm – Poppy’s Funerals, Tooting. (Bring lunch.)

Saturday June 18th, 2pm to  7pm – Crossbones cemetery Southwark, the cemetery for outcasts, followed by FINAL SESSION AND SHARING OF FINDINGS AND RITUALS at GI

There is no fee, but participants must attend as many sessions as they possibly can so that the group is supported and the research is completed. Your views will be treated as confidential but will feed into the national findings of The Corpse Project. Venues are basically wheelchair accessible. Please ask for more details.

E mail krishna.istha@genderedintelligence.co.uk to book a place.

Please follow and like us:
Share
TAGS

TAGS Body Positive Yoga: New Course starts 6th June 2016

TAGS Body Positive YogaTAGS Support CIC presents TAGS Body Positive Yoga: Back to Basics.

This is a six week Hatha Yoga course starting on 6th June. It is trans and queer inclusive.

The venue is Greenwich West Community Centre, 141 Greenwich High Road, SE1 8JA.  Cost is £5 to £10 and concessions are available.

Contact Roberta for more information robertatrans21@gmail.com

Please follow and like us:
Share
TAGS

TAGS Access to Swimming Survey: Results

TAGS Swimming

This is an outline of the recent TAGS Access To Swimming Survey. Jane Chaplin who supports the Tags Birmingham space has very kindly put an outline together. It comes from all over England and part of Wales. It makes very interesting reading as it outlines the need there is for safe swimming spaces.
Please feel free to comment on the survey (email robertatrans21@gmail.com).
Outline of the survey
192 responses
Question 1
Last swam up to 12  months     39.58% – 76 people
Last swam up to 5 years            36.98% – 71 people
Last swam up to 10 years         23.44 – 45 people
Clearly there is a reason why people are not swimming which is outlined in later questions, reasons given include Dysphoria and Transphobia in situations where public swimming is available.
Question 2
Reasons to stop swimming
Fear of being outed                                        78
Ridicule                                                          108
Transphobia or the fear                                  127
Reaction from pool staff                                    95
Not Safe to change                                         118
Other reasons                                                    60
Dysphoria associated with being n public pool    34
Fear of transgender people                                 1
Question 3
Distance to travel
Not prepared to travel        3.15%        6
Up to 10 miles                    65.26%      124
Up to 20 miles                    24.74%       47
Greater distance                  6.84%       13
This presumes reasonable traveling by public or own transport with reasonable parking or taxi/bus access to baths
Question 4
Frequency of event
Monthly         37.23%         70
Fortnightly     30.32%         57
Weekly           27.13%        51
A fairly even split between the people answering this question however the organisation and cost of more frequent events than once a month would have to be assessed. Certainly once a month appears to work at present.
Question 5
Reasons to swim
Socialise                            29.47%        57
Exercise                            17.89%        34
Love of swimming              34.74%       66
Safety                                                     12
All listed elements                               103
Question 6
General consensus from participants that a swimming event would be well received across many locations in the UK, especially in city and larger centres.
Question 7
Answers give a wide range of places across UK, certainly if suitable central locations can be found and supported. There is clearly a demand for swimming but ease of travel and cost of events would be of paramount importance.
Please follow and like us:
Share
One off events, What's new

The Art of Emergency Care

The Art of Emergency Care

Join a unique and innovative project ‘The Art of Emergency Care‘ to explore patient stories through forum theatre, working with patient educators, applied theatre students and health professionals.

Workshops will likely be 11-4, lunch will be provided (and we can also possibly pay expenses if needed), we want some people for all workshops but they do not all have to take part in performance if not keen. We are looking to collect a diverse range of stories about experiences of A&E.

Workshops take place on 17, 24 and 31 May and the performance will be on 17 June. All take place at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in Swiss Cottage.

For more information contact Kerry.Wykes@nhs.net

Please follow and like us:
Share