Peer Support Service
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]
Upcoming group sessions
January 2026
Private Swimming Group – Gateshead, Tue 6 Jan at 09:45
Table-Top Board Games – Newcastle, Wednesday 7 Jan at 14:30
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Mon 12 Jan at 10:30
Wellness Walk – Saltwell Park, Tue 13 Jan at 10:00
Online Information Event – NRGDS Assessment Process, Mon 19 Jan at 12:00
Dungeons and Dragons – Newcastle, Thu 22 Jan at 14:00
Beginner Sports Club – Newcastle, Mon 26 Jan at 14:00
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Thu 29 Jan at 12:30
February 2026
Private Swimming Group – Gateshead, Tue 3 Feb at 09:45
Table-Top Board Games – Newcastle, Wed 4 Feb at 14:30
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Mon 9 Feb at 10:30
Wellness Walk – Chopwell Woods, Tue 10 Feb at 10:30
Online Information Event – Binding/Packing, Tue 17 Feb at 12:00
Clothes Exchange Event at The Wardrobe – Gateshead, Wed 18 Feb at 13:00
Dungeons and Dragons – Newcastle, Thu 19 Feb at 14:00
Beginner Sport Club – Newcastle, Mon 23 Feb at 14:00
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Thu 26 Feb at 12:30
March 2026
Private Swimming Group – Gateshead, Mon 3 Mar at 09:45
Table-Top Board Games – Newcastle, Wed 4 Mar at 14:30
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Mon 9 Mar at 10:30
Wellness Walk – Roker Seafront, Wed 11 Mar at 11:30
Online Information Event – NRGDS Assessment Process, Mon 16 Mar at 12:00
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Thu 26 Mar at 12:30
Annual Trans Day of Visibility Event – Newcastle, Mon 30 Mar at 13:00
April 2026
Table-Top Board Games – Newcastle, Wed 1 Apr at 14:30
Wellness Walk – Saltwell Park, Tue 7 Apr at 10:00
Dungeons and Dragons – Newcastle, Thu 16 Apr at 14:00
Creative Hands: Art Club – Newcastle, Thu 23 Apr at 12:30
Beginner Sports Club – Newcastle, Mon 27 Apr at 14:00
Booking
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.
What to do if you don’t hear from us after you get in touch
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 [email protected] and we will update our records.
Need information or have a question?
Check out our “Resources and support” page. There are links to lots of useful webpages and sources of information and support.
Looking for a local support group?
We have an interactive map which shows which organisations are working where in the North-east – plus contact information to find out more.
What we do
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.
How can I be involved?
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: [email protected]
- 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.
