About Us
Transition Support Service
In 2009 the Equality Network received Big Lottery funding for an exciting new Scottish Transgender Alliance community development project to complement the established Scottish Government funded Scottish Transgender Alliance equality development project. The three year Transition Support Service Project is designed to help develop the capacity of existing Transgender support groups across Scotland, and improve the experience of those still in early stages of transition.
There are three main aspects to the work of the Transition Support Service:
- Work with existing local support-group facilitators to identify training, development and support needs and to help provide these.
- Provide a Life Skills Course, covering areas identified by local groups through intensive consultations – there will be a total of nine courses, in locations across Scotland. Each course will last ten sessions. Those who complete one of the courses will be offered opportunties to receive further volunteer training.
- Develop a Befriending (Peer Mentoring) network across the country.
The Transition Support Service (TSS) project is currently on hold as a result of the resignation of its development worker, Jake Tatton, following long-term illness. Once a revised project plan has been agreed with the funder, we hope to re-launch the TSS project.
The previous Transition Support Service key activities carried out are listed below:
Life Skills Courses:
The Lothian Life Skills Course successfully ran for ten weeks beginning Thursday 13th January 2011 at the LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6TE. Each weekly session lasted an hour and a half.
The Strathclyde Life Skills Course successfully ran for ten weeks beginning Tuesday 18th January 2011 at the Sandyford Initiative, 2-6 Sandyford Place, Glasgow, G3 7NB. Each weekly session lasted an hour and a half.
The 10 weeks of the Life Skills Courses looked like this:
1 Introduction to the course, including setting ground rules, group bonding and an overview of the course
2 Exploring identity and sense of self
3 Coping, confidence, empowerment and relaxation strategies and techniques
4 Communication and assertiveness
5 Coming Out
6 Transitioning at work, school, college and home
7 Relationships and sex
8 Exploring hormones and surgery options
9 Recognising successes
10 Overview and “what next” options
Look Marvellous in March Event:
On Saturday 19th March 2011 we held in partnership with the LGBT Centre for Health & Wellbeing a very special day event where participants were able to get free advice on make-up, personal styling, hair-removal, binding and packing in a fun and friendly atmosphere.