The Peer Support Service (PSS) is staffed by people with lived experience of gender dysphoria and transition. We are based in Newcastle, but we provide outreach support from various locations across the region.

The Peer Support Service can offer support for those with an open referral to NRGDS. If you are not open to the service but would like to refer please see our Referral information page.

The team facilitate both one-to-one and group sessions. We can meet in-person (either in Newcastle or, where possible, at a venue closer to you), via online consultation or on the telephone – whichever is most comfortable and convenient for you.

Please contact us by email NRGDSPeerSupport@cntw.nhs.uk or telephone the admin team on 0191 287 6130 requesting us to get in touch with you.

When emailing us, please include your date of birth and address so we can locate you on our system, thank you.

Introducing: PSS Private Swimming Group

This free group meets in Gateshead once monthly on a Tuesday morning. The group is open exclusively to those currently in treatment or on the waiting list at NRGDS. During each session, the entire building – including all pools and changing facilities – will be closed to the public and reserved solely for our members. You’ll have 45 minutes of pool time, plus 15 minutes before and after to access the changing rooms in a private, respectful environment.

More information can be found on the NRGDS Peer Support Service Padlet page, including a booking form. Or you can email us at NRGDSPeerSupport@cntw.nhs.uk

Group sessions

Our sessions are open to anyone who is currently in service or on the NRGDS waiting list. In order to ensure the safety of participants, we need you to book in advance and let us know you want to attend.

To book in, please email us at NRGDSPeerSupport@cntw.nhs.uk or use the booking form on the NRGDS Peer Support Service Padlet page.

Let us know how we can support you

Many of us are neurodivergent. The Peer Support Team is committed to supporting neurodivergent people to access the service. We understand that contacting us can be daunting and it is okay to be anxious or nervous, but please do get in touch and let us know how we can best support you. You can do this by emailing us at NRGDSPeerSupport@cntw.nhs.uk or by calling 0191 287 6130 and leaving a message with our admin team. We will ring you back at a time convenient to you. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that may need to be made to support you.

We are not an emergency service, so we are not always able to communicate with you immediately when you get in touch. However, we normally reply within five working days, so if you haven’t heard from us during that time, please check your spam folders to make sure nothing has been sent to the wrong box. You can also contact us again to make sure that we have the correct email for you.

Remember – if you change any of your contact information – mailing address, telephone number, email address – please send us an email to NRGDS@cntw.nhs.uk and we will update our records.

Check out our Resources and support page. There are links to lots of useful webpages and sources of information and support.

We have an interactive map which shows which organisations are working where in the North-east – plus contact information to find out more.

 

Our focus is on helping you achieve a sense of wellbeing – working with you to develop goals, strategies and action plans to improve your mental, physical and emotional health, so that you are in the best possible place when you attend for your assessment appointment.

Our aim is to bring transgender people together to create support networks, combat loneliness and isolation, exchange information, improve self-confidence and develop coping strategies and resilience.

We offer:

  • a variety of opportunities to attend regular group sessions, either online or in-person, to discuss issues, meet new people, ask questions and share/find out information. Please see the Latest News section above for the dates/times of upcoming group sessions.
  • the chance to talk 1-2-1 with one of our team, either online or in-person, to discuss anything that you personally may be struggling with or need some help/guidance on. We offer an initial 6 one hour sessions.

If you are accepted onto the NRGDS waitlist you will automatically be added to the peer support distribution list. We will send you invitations, updates and communications relevant to the Peer Support Service. If you would like to opt-out or find out more about the service, you can contact us in the following ways:

  • You can send your email address to: NRGDSPeerSupport@cntw.nhs.uk
  • You can write to us at: NRGDS Peer Support Service, Benfield House, Walkergate Park Hospital, Benfield Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE6 4QD
  • You can telephone the admin team on 0191 287 6130 who can pass your message on to the Peer Support team.

When providing your contact details by email or letter, it would be extremely helpful if you can use the following wording:
“I consent for the NRGDS to use the following email/postal address to contact me with relevant information.”

When reaching out to us, please include your full name, date of birth and address so we can accurately locate you on our system and ensure our records are up-to-date.

You can be removed from the distribution list at any time by emailing or writing to us with your request.