New advocacy service for trans communities

MindOut, the LGBT mental health project and Healthwatch Brighton and Hove are to jointly set up the city’s first Trans Advocacy Service.

Jointly funded by Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group and Brighton and Hove City Council, the service will provide person-centred advocacy support for the Trans communities in Brighton and Hove.

The Advocacy Service will offer advice, information, representation and case work support on all issues related to Trans care pathways, including services and treatment at the Gender Identity Clinic and:

♦  Primary and secondary health care

♦  Social Care

♦  Legal issues

♦  Family and relationships

♦  Employment

♦  Housing

♦  Hate crime, harassment and bullying

♦  Diagnosis

♦ Treatment options, referral systems and waiting times as well as health issues not related to the trans care pathway

All MindOut services are free, independent, impartial and confidential.

Research into the mental health needs of Trans people shows that 84% of respondents experienced suicidal distress, dropping to 3% post transition demonstrating a clear indication of the life-saving potential of prompt and timely support.

Helen Jones, Director of MindOut said: ”We are so pleased to be able to provide much-needed, dedicated support for Trans communities. We look forward to working closely with local Trans groups and organisations to meet growing needs.”

Nicky Cambridge, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Brighton and Hove, added: “Healthwatch is delighted to be part of this project. We will ensure that the issues being raised by Trans people accessing services are raised at local and national levels so that systems improve and change permanently. We will do this with the community who have faced institutional prejudice and discrimination for far too long.”

Dr Sam Hall, Chair of Clare Project and Trans Alliance representative, said: “This is a fantastic example of how the Trans Needs Assessment can be used as a springboard to achieve equality of access to services for Brighton & Hove’s trans residents and service users. We look forward to working with MindOut to ensure that the best possible use is made of this new service.”

For more information about MindOut, click here: