Arts and Crafts at Northern Region Gender Dysphoria service
In 2025, SHINE provided funding for an arts and crafts group for the Northern Region Gender Dysphoria Service (NRGDS).
The funding allowed the team to launch the creative hands art club, a space where patients waiting for transgender NHS treatment can come together, share stories and get creative.
The team said “when the creative hands art club was first established we hoped it would give our service users a chance to create something meaningful to each individual, to express their own gender transition journey through a creative medium, around others who understand.
What we didn’t anticipate was just how much meaningful connection would be formed within those walls. Thanks to the initial funding from SHINE, that idea became reality, and it’s been going from strength to strength ever since.
For many of our patients, waiting for treatment can feel isolating and overwhelming when facing a waiting time of over 6 years. Our peer support service sessions changes that. It’s a space where people can come together, share stories, laugh, and feel seen whilst using their hands to create something”.
Feedback from attendees:
Lovely people, very chill, just a great experience, thank you!
I always love the relaxed vibe that’s here.
Vibes, craic, conversation, feeling safe and supported.