Any support group in London

[Kairi]

I am trying to find some transgender support group and counselling services in London, UK. I tried contacting the counselling service at PACE Health but as I don't live in the covered borough, they can't help me. There is a support group called Pathway but I am not in a financial situtation where I can justify paying £50. I also looked at the London Friends website but they just offer counselling sessions to LGB clients.

Does anybody know of any support groups or counselling services in London that deals with transgender?

[Cassie]

The only one I know of is Spectrum: http://www.spectrumlondon.org.uk/info.htm - i've enclosed the page with their link to other support groups etc. It's worth bearing in mind that i've heard of a few negative experiences there but it may be worth a try. They meet in Camden.

[Keroppi]

When I was in London for a few months about a year ago, I went to Spectrum & TransLondon for a few times. From my limited experience that I can offer, Spectrum have a lot smaller numbers in terms of attendance, but they're both reasonably friendly.

From your other posts, I'm guessing you're late teens / early 20's, which is young compare to the others there. There's 2 or 3 (other than me) at TransLondon around this age when I was there. I can't recall whether there's any with Spectrum. Of course, a year is a long time, so there could well be an explosion of youths attendees since then for all I know. I can find out for you if you want to know.

If you're planning to go to either, let me know in advance and I'm willing to pop down to London for a special trip and join you. That way you can have a friend for company. In fact, let me know if you want to meet up just for a chat. I would love to meet another TS of my ethnicity (and around same age). I can't promise I'll have answers to any questions like how to deal with special problems arising from our family culture though.

In terms of counselling services, have you tried your university?

[Kairi]

Thanks for the replies. I have made a mental note of it. I shall pay these groups a visit one day, though I don't know when yet... probably after new year. Both Spetrum and TransLondon is within easy reach from my home so its good news.

The counsellors in uni deals with general topics and they are no experts with gender issues. I have been going to counselling at uni and my last session is next week tuesday so I have been advised to seek more professional counselling services and to find out about local support groups.

@Keroppi
Thanks for offering to come with me or for a chat, thats very kind of you  . I'll message you when the time comes. Where about do you live? Sure our culture is very complicated and thats what I talked about for the bulk of the time in my counselling sessions. Its no problem if it's difficult to alk about, but like you say its good to meet friends of the same culture and age.

[Catherine]

Thanks for the replies. I have made a mental note of it. I shall pay these groups a visit one day, though I don't know when yet... probably after new year. Both Spetrum and TransLondon is within easy reach from my home so its good news.

The counsellors in uni deals with general topics and they are no experts with gender issues. I have been going to counselling at uni and my last session is next week tuesday so I have been advised to seek more professional counselling services and to find out about local support groups.

@Keroppi
Thanks for offering to come with me or for a chat, thats very kind of you  . I'll message you when the time comes. Where about do you live? Sure our culture is very complicated and thats what I talked about for the bulk of the time in my counselling sessions. Its no problem if it's difficult to alk about, but like you say its good to meet friends of the same culture and age.

Are you actually in London ??
I am in Southampton and volunteer for a support group down here.

www.chrysalis-gii.co.uk

[Keroppi]

Thanks for offering to come with me or for a chat, thats very kind of you  . I'll message you when the time comes. Where about do you live? Sure our culture is very complicated and thats what I talked about for the bulk of the time in my counselling sessions. Its no problem if it's difficult to alk about, but like you say its good to meet friends of the same culture and age.

I'm currently living in the East Midlands with my parent, and looking for a job somewhere up North. If you give me notice, I should have no problem travelling down to London area. Given enough time, I could arrange a day of meeting different friends and stuff.

[Kairi]

Are you actually in London ??

Yes, I live and grew up in London.