Peer Support Service

The Peer Support Service 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.

If you are on the NRGDS waiting list and would like to receive these regular email communications from us, please email us at [email protected] asking to be added to our list.

We are still offering one-to-one support so, if you would like to talk (either in-person or online), please do get in touch and we can arrange a suitable time and date.

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 interested in joining up with us, we need to add you to our distribution list, so we can send you invitations, updates and communications relevant to the Peer Support Service. You can be added to the list 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

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.”

If you can also provide your full name and date of birth, this will allow us to keep your records up-to-date and accurate.

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