PATA - Peterborough Area Transgender Alliance exists to identify, promote and support the needs of transgender people living in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, and the surrounding areas.

Formed in 2007 from the merger of a number of smaller local groups PATA seeks to:

 

1. Identify the needs of transgender people locally, and across cultures, in order to develop a guiding voice with regard to strategy within the local statutory and non-statutory sector.

2. Offer a single point of contact for transgender people within Peterborough and the surrounding area.

3. Raise and inform local awareness, where appropriate, through education, training and consultation.

4. Seek to establish and maintain a support network within the city that can offer emotional assistance and advice to transgender individuals experiencing crisis, isolation, or who are subject to hate crime, discrimination or workplace inequality.

5. Work in unison with other local organisations where areas of mutal interest can be identified and shared goals agreed upon.

6. Monitor and evaluate local implementation of legislation and good practice within the local area.

 

The term 'transgender' is an umbrella term that tends to cover a wide range of issues that are sometimes lumped together as 'gender variance'.

These terms have varying acceptance for 'transgender' people who sometimes find them highly offensive. Unfortunately, the terms 'transgender' and 'transexual' tend to be used in legislative frameworks (law) and in NHS documentation. Most people just wish to be referred to as 'male' or 'female' - in accordance with their felt and lived identity.

 

PATA use these terms cautiously and with emphasis on working with people who are undertaking, or have completed gender reassignment which usually involves medical intervention and gender surgery. This will mean that an individual, male or female, will have been diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria - which means that someone has an acute sense of disassociation from their gender of birth - an experience which results in psychological trauma and, often, social isolation that requires intervention.

 

A problem associated with identifying 'transgender need' in a city or region is that there is often no 'transgender community' to speak of. The nature of the transgender experience means that people undergoing gender reassignment just want to return to a fulfilling life in the gender they accept as being true and real for themselves.

Unfortunately, this 'lack' of community means that at times when discrimination, prejudice or hate crime occurs individuals may find themselves isolated and alone.

 

Many transgender people undertake gender reassignment and move toward a new and fulfilling life with the support of friends and family. However, there will be certain times when more 'formal' support is needed such as:

 

:: When a support network is absent

:: When experiencing workplace bullying or harassment

:: Community isolation

:: Hate crime

:: During gender transition

:: When legal matters arise

:: During relationship crisis

 

 

If you would like to know more about our work, find out about training or volunteering then please contact us on:

 

 

If you would prefer to use post then please write to:

PATA

c/o PCVS

3 Lincoln Court
Lincoln Road
Peterborough
PE1 2RP

 

 

We are currently interested in hearing from potential volunteers who might be interested in:

 

1. Befriending. At different stages in their lives people undergoing gender-re-assignment, GRS, or gender transition may find themselves isolated within their local communities. At such times there is a need for skilled and sensitive support. This may be especially true when support from family or friends is absent.

We are interested in recruiting a small number of volunteers from the local area who have experience in the use of counselling, befriending, or advocacy skills.

An ability to demonstrate empathy is essential. An awareness of the legislative and health issues associated with gender reassignment is a benefit though training can be arranged.

All potential befrienders will be subject to interview and eventual CRB (police records) check.

 

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Peterborough Area Transgender Alliance is an affiliated member of Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service, an umbrella organisation that provides support for voluntary sector community organisations in Peterborough. The aims and ideals of PATA are its own.

 

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