FAQ | Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity

Community
Resources

A resource list for those who are seeking support both online and in person.

This list is not exhaustive, but is generated by community members and community leaders to provide a good bank of support resources for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people.

If you are in crisis and cannot keep yourself safe, you should ring 999 or present at A&E.

UK Social & Support Groups

The Clare Project – Trans support and social group based in Brighton and Hove but open to anyone wishing to explore issues around gender identity.

Forge - Manchester's original social and support group for trans men, trans masculine people, and non-binary people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB), and are over 18.

Gendered Intelligence – Trans-led charity that aims to improve the lives of trans and non-binary people in the UK, specialises in supporting young people.

Manchester Minxes - An inclusive, friendly, support and social group for trans Ladies to meet in and around Manchester.

Leeds First Friday - Every first Friday of the month, in and around the Freedom Quarter of Leeds. Run by and for the trans+ community.

Sparkle Sanctuary - Our wellbeing & social space with a hot meal, different activities, and peer support. Running on the last Sunday of the month.

Spectra – Peer-led trans services accessible to all trans and gender-diverse people, including 1-2-1 health advocacy support, counselling, and peer mentoring.

Mental Health Support Services

Be/Here CIC - A queer-owned, queer-built mental health community, offering specialist LGBTQIA+ therapy, free mental health skills workshops, peer support spaces, and community conversations.

LGBT Switchboard - They offer a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. We support people to explore the right options for themselves.

LGBT Foundation - A national health and wellness charity, offering services such as counselling and sexual health testing.

MindLine Trans+ - A confidential emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as transgender, agender, gender fluid, non-binary. They are also here to support family members and friends and to provide signposting to other services and resources.

Shout - Free 24/7 text service to anyone in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258.

TransBareAll - TransBareAll is an organisation that believes in improving the health and wellbeing of trans people.

Support for Young People

Albert Kennedy Trust - AKT supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 in the UK, who are facing or experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile environment.

LGBT Youth Scotland - Scotland’s national charity for LGBTQ+ young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country.

Mermaids - Have been supporting transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995.

The Proud Trust - An LGBT+ organisation that supports LGBTQ+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programs and the Proud Connections chat service.

Sexual Health & Wellbeing

Gum Clinic Directory - This NHS search service, gives you a way to search for your local GUM Clinic or Services via your Postcode.

Terrence Higgins Trust - Offer information about HIV, other sexually transmitted infections and how to maintain good sexual health. Including vital resources for people living with HIV and those newly diagnosed.

Services in different cities:

Brighton: Clinic T
Leeds: Trans & Non-binary Sexual Health Clinic held at Yorkshire Mesmac
Liverpool: Butterfly Clinic
London: 56T at Dean Street and CliniQ
Manchester: Onyx Clinic
Nottingham: Clinic X: a monthly after-hours clinic run by The Health Shop when the main service is closed

QTIPOC Support

African Rainbow Family - The Leading UK based expert-by-lived-experience grassroots charity, campaigning and advocating for racial justice & human rights of LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum of African heritage & the global majority.

Glitter Cymru – A social group for BAME LGBT+ in Wales, with social meet ups.

Rainbow Noir – A social support group for LGBTQ+ people of colour in Manchester, with regular meet ups and an online community.

UK Black Pride – Europe’s largest celebration for LGBTQ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and Latin American descent.

LGBTQ+ Faith Organisations

Hidayah – An organisation for LGBTQ+ Muslims. They offer social and support groups in Manchester, London, Newcastle, Glasgow and Leeds.

House of Rainbow - A faith-based community, for Black, African, Caribbean, and other ethnic minority LGBTIQ+ individuals, as well as their allies.

Imaan – An organisation for LGBTQ+ Muslims, they organise community and educational workshops as well as safe spaces to meet and socialise.

KeshetUK - Has a vision of a world where no one is forced to choose between their LGBT+ and Jewish identity.

Queer Hindu Alliance - An advocacy & support group that will promote a more
inclusive Hinduism through creating safe space for queer Hindus & allies.

Queer Jewish Collective - A social network for Queer Jewish people across the North West.

Village Church Manchester - Working with and for the LGBTQ+ community in Manchester.

Hate Crime Signposting

Ring 999 - in an emergency, if injured, or if the perpetrator is still present.

Ring 101 - in a non-emergency (open 24/7).

Visit a local police station.

True Vision - an online form to report hate crimes without having to visit a police station or make a phone call.

Crimestoppers - an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime, 100% anonymously.

Galop - Supporting LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.

Victim Support - support and help for anyone affected by a crime, including the victim, their friends, family, and others involved.

Trans Inclusive Sports

Manchester Frontrunners - A dedicated running club for members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community in the Manchester area.

Misfits - A fitness, wellbeing and self defence programme created by Not A Phase, in different locations within the UK.

Pride Sports - Working to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in sport and improve access to sport for LGBTQ+ people.

Swimming - there are different trans inclusive swimming sessions around the UK, some of which include:

Trans Aid Cymru - Runs trans gym and swimming sessions twice a month.

Trans Can Sport - Trans Can Sport is a not-for-profit project based in Brighton and Hove, designed to get trans people into exercise and healthy living.

TransActive - Trans Active aims to help the trans community in and around Sheffield socialise and improve their fitness and mental wellbeing through sport in a safe, relaxed environment.

UKRDA - The United Kingdom Roller Derby Association (UKRDA) is the National Association for roller derby in the UK. Roller Derby is often called the "UK's Most Trans Inclusive Sport".

Other Organisations

Press For Change - Press for Change has been a key lobbying and legal support organisation for Trans people in the UK. since it's formation in 1992. Seeking respect and equality for ALL trans people in the UK, through case law, legislation, and social change, it reaches thousands of trans people in the UK.

Stonewall Housing - Stonewall Housing works to ensure LGBTQ+ people live in safer homes, free from fear, and where we can celebrate our identity and support each other to achieve our full potential.

TransActual - A national advocacy and education organisation focussed specifically on working for trans adults in the UK, with a particular focus on healthcare and trans people’s legal protections.

Trans Media Watch - Trans Media Watch helps people in the media to understand these issues and produce clear, accurate, respectful material. It also helps trans and intersex people who are interacting with the media to get results they are comfortable with.

Gender Identity Services

Sparkle understand the distress many trans people face whilst waiting for NHS gender services, and encourage you to reach out to the above organisations if you are struggling.

We know many gender services currently have very lengthy wait lists, and it can be very difficult to be waiting for so long.

You can find more information about gender services and waiting times on TransActual's website.

The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust GIC
(This Service was formerly known as “Charing Cross”)
Tavistock Centre 120 Belsize Lane London NW3 5BA, London, NW3 5BA

Telephone: 0208 938 7590
Email: gic@tavi-port.nhs.uk
Web: https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/service-details/service/gender-identity-clinic-gic-292/

Leeds Gender Identity Clinic
Management Suite, 1st floor, Newsam Centre, Seacroft Hospital, York Road, Leeds, LS14 6WB

Telephone: 0113 855 6346
Email: gid.lypft@nhs.net
Web: https://www.leedsandyorkpft.nhs.uk/our-services/gender-identity-service/

Northampton Gender Identity Clinic
Gender Clinic, Danetre Hospital, H Block, London Road, Daventry, Northants, NN11 4DY.

Telephone: 03000 272858
Email: genderclinic@nhft.nhs.uk
Web: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/gic/

Northern Region Gender Dysphoria Service
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust; St. Nicholas Hospital, Jubilee Road, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT

Telephone: 0191 287 6130
Email: nrgds@cntw.nhs.uk
Web: https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/northern-region-gender-dysphoria-service-specialist-service-walkergate-park/

The Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health

The Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health,12 Broad Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG1 3AL

Telephone: 0115 876 0160
Email: NCTHGeneral@nottshc.nhs.uk
Web: https://ncth.nhs.uk/

Porterbrook Clinic Gender Identity Service

Porterbrook Clinic, Michael Carlisle Centre, Nether Edge Hospital, 75 Osborne Road, Sheffield, S11 9BF

Telephone 0114 271 6671
Fax: 0114 271 8693
Email: sct-ctr.porterbrookclinic@nhs.net
Web: https://www.sheffieldpartnership.nhs.uk/services/gender-identity-clinic

The Laurels Gender Identity Clinic
The West of England Specialist Gender Identity Clinic, The Laurels, 11-15 Dix’s Field, Exeter, EX1 1QA

Telephone: 01392 677077
Email: dpn-tr.TheLaurels@nhs.net
Web: https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/service-details/service/west-of-england-specialist-gender-identity-clinic-82/

Indigo Gender Service
New Century House, Progress Way, Denton, Manchester M34 2GP.
(Postal only; non clinical site. In person appt’s at various Manchester locations.)

Telephone: 0161 710 1196
Email: hello@indigogenderservice.uk
Web: https://indigogenderservice.uk/

Transcend (formerly CMAGIC)
151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH

Telephone: 0151 317 8581
Email: Transcend.merseycare@nhs.net
Web: https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/halton/transcend

Sussex Gender Service
(pilot scheme)
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Portland House, Richmond Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1HS

Telephone: 0300 304 0100
Email: spft.sgs@nhs.net
Web: https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/our-services/specialist-services/sussex-gender-service

Transplus
(integrated Gender, Sexual Health and HIV service)
56 Dean Street, Soho, London, W1D 6AQ

Telephone: 020 3315 9576
Email: chelwest.transplusinfo@nhs.net
Web: https://www.wearetransplus.co.uk/

NHS Gender Identity Services: England

Northern Ireland

Brackenburn Clinic
Shimna House, Knock Bracken Healthcare Park, Saintfield Road, Belfast, BT8 8BH

Telephone: 02895 041471
Email: BrackenburgClinic@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Web: https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/brackenburn-clinic/

Wales

Welsh Gender Service
St David’s Hospital, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9XB

Telephone: 029 2183 6612
Email: Cav.wgs_enquiries@wales.nhs.uk
Web: https://cavuhb.nhs.wales/our-services/welsh-gender-service/

Local Gender Teams (Wales)

Aneurin Bevan: abb.alexclinic@wales.nhs.uk
Betsi Cadwaladr: tgpanton@wales.nhs.uk
Cardiff and Vale: localgenderservice.team.cav@wales.nhs.uk | 07912 471 661
Cwm Taf: CTM.LGT@wales.nhs.uk
Hywel Dda: gs_enquiries.HDD@wales.nhs.uk
Powys: 01654 702224
Swansea Bay: SBU.LocalGenderService@wales.nhs.uk | 01792 285005

Scotland

Sandyford Clinic, Glasgow

Gender Service, 4th Floor, 93 Candleriggs, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1NP.

Telephone: 0141 211 8693
Email: ggc.adultgender.sandyford@nhs.scot
Web: https://www.sandyford.scot/services/adult-gender-service/

Lothian Gender Identity Clinic
Chalmers Gender Identity Clinic, 2A Chalmers Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9ES

Telephone: 0131 536 1570
Web: https://www.lothiansexualhealth.scot/gender-identity-clinic/

Highlands Gender Identity Clinic
Zone 14, Clinic 1, Raigmore Hospital, Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 3UJ

Telephone: 01463 888300
Web: https://highlandsexualhealth.co.uk/gender-identity

Grampian Gender Identity Clinic
Royal Cornhill Hospital, Cornhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZH

Telephone: 01224 555466
Email: gram.gic@nhs.scot

Northern Ireland

Brackenburn Clinic
Shimna House, Knock Bracken Healthcare Park, Saintfield Road, Belfast, BT8 8BH

Telephone: 02895 041471
Email: BrackenburgClinic@belfasttrust.hscni.net
Web: https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/brackenburn-clinic/

NHS Gender Identity
Services: Wider UK

NHS Gender Identity Services: Young People

The NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (London)
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH

Telephone: 020 4515 1449
Email: GSLondon@gosh.nhs.uk
Web: https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/wards-and-departments/departments/clinical-specialties/the-nhs-children-and-young-peoples-gender-service-london/

The NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (North West)
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9WL

Telephone: 0300 131 6775
Email: agem.cyp-gnrss@nhs.net
Web: https://mft.nhs.uk/rmch/services/the-nhs-children-and-young-peoples-gender-service-north-west/
(Contact details lead to “Arden and GEM CSU”, managing waiting lists rather than clinic)

The NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service (South West)
“Part of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC)”

Telephone: 0117 342 9642
Email: cypengagementteam@uhbw.nhs.uk
Web: https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/bristol-royal-hospital-for-children/what-we-do/the-nhs-children-and-young-people%E2%80%99s-gender-service-(south-west)/