Useful Information and Links

Information from the Welsh Gender Service

• The “Trans Health Series” YouTube channel features interviews with patients about their experiences of transition.
• If you have changed your gender marker with the GP surgery, do make sure that you are called for the right health screening programmes.

For Clinicians

• Endocrine management of gender incongruence in adults: Prescribing guidance for non-specialist practitioners
• Advice on Health Screening Programmes for gender diverse people.
• GMC Guidance on providing healthcare to transgender individuals.
• UCATS & OUTpatients for support for trans and gender-diverse people who have a diagnosis of cancer.

Information for Service Users

• The Gender Construction Kit provides useful information for (is there something missing here)
• Trans Health Factsheets covering topics including Access to Gender Services, Ageing, Alcohol, Drugs & Tobacco, Exercise & Nutrition, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sexual Health & HIV, Trans Children, Teens and Their Parents.
• Information about how to check your chest for lumps.
• Information about LGBT+ Health and Screenings developed by Pride Cymru.
• Hate hurts Wales | GOV.WALES for support to report hate crimes.
• UCATS is the UK Cancer and Transition Service supporting trans and diverse people with a diagnosis of cancer.
• OUTpatients is a charity led by and for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer.
• Transgender – an easy read guide and other easy read guides
• Queer Funeral Guide by Ash Hayhurst – a free resource for queer people or those planning a funeral for a queer loved one.
• A Road Map to Inclusion – Supporting Trans People of Faith (GIRES) 

Advocacy Services

• Advocacy Matters – Wales
• Advocacy Support Cymru
• Mental Health Community Advocacy Service (Bridgend)

Support Groups

• Umbrella Cymru provides peer support and signposting to a range of other services. You can contact them directly or your clinician at the Welsh Gender Service can refer you.
• Tranzwiki is a comprehensive directory of LGBTQI+ groups across the UK.
• Switchboard - the national LGBTQIA+ support line.
• akt – a support group for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness, or living in a hostile environment.
• Gendered Intelligence offer services for trans people, their families, and healthcare professionals
• Glitter Cymru is based in Cardiff to support the BAME LGBT community.
• Trans Aid Cymru supports Transgender, Non-Binary and Intersex (TIN) people through mutual aid support.
• The UNIQUE Transgender Network is a voluntary group supporting Trans (transgender), Non-Binary and Gender Diverse people based in North Wales supporting people across the UK.
• Squirrel Friends is a peer-to-peer support group who have online support and in-person coffee mornings in Merthyr Tydfil.
• OUTpatients is a charity led by and for LGBTIQ+ people affected by cancer.

Trans and LGBTQ Social Groups

• Sadie’s Butterflies – a self-help and social group based in Swansea
• Cardiff Trans Singers – a singing group based in Cardiff
• The Queer Emporium – an LGBTQ+ shop that also runs community events in Cardiff

Binder Support

• Point of Pride provides free chest binders (specially-designed chest compression garments) to any person who needs one and cannot afford or safely obtain one.
• Morf is based in Manchester and have a binder exchange scheme.

Groups Focussed on Research for and with Gender Diverse People

• Gender Identity Research & Education Society (GIRES) is a UK wide organisation whose purpose is to improve the lives of trans and gender diverse people of all ages.
• TransActions conducts research with trans people who do sex work.

Neurodiversity support and resources

If you have a diagnosis of autism, it can be useful to create an ‘autism passport’ to help you and the people who will be looking after you when you go into hospital for surgery.

If you feel that you might be affected by autism, you can self-refer to the Integrated Autism Services.

Completing a Deed Poll

If you are British and over 18, you can complete a deed poll for free online using Umbrella Cymru’s website. They are also able to print it and stamp it for you for a small fee. You need this signed by two independent witnesses and then it can be used to change details on a British driving licence and on medical records in all NHS settings, and on all correspondence – see Name change by deed poll - Gender Construction Kit for the most up-to-date information about this.