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Intercom Trust News
The latest news and information from The Intercom Trust. To be the first to know sign up for our newsletter, enter your details on the right.
Kind Mind course - starting 30th October 2018
Date added: 17 October 2018
Starting Tuesday 30th October in Exeter
Are you over 18 years old and do you identify as LGBT+?
Do you want to explore new ways of improving your emotional wellbeing?
Want to learn ways to be kinder to yourself? Are you interested in meeting others in a similar position to you?
If so, Intercom Trust’s new Kind Mind Group may be for you. Spaces are going fast so don't miss out, contact us today
What is the Kind Mind Group about?
The Kind Mind Group is a 6 week course for people who identify as LGBT+ who are experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing and/or mental health but not at a point of crisis. The group is based on the principles of compassion focused therapy, an approach that encourages us to respond to our own distress with understanding and kindness. The approach is particularly helpful for people who criticise themselves at times of distress, experience low mood, anxiety, shame and other confused feelings about their LGBT+ identity.
If you’re interested in attending please call 0800 612 3010 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ask your support worker (if you have one) to contact us as soon as possible.
Mermaids - Guide to completing the GRA Consultation
Date added: 19 September 2018
The charity Mermaids have created a guide in collaboration with ourselves (as well as LGBT Consortium, LGBT Foundation, Gendered Intelligence, GIRES & LGBT Partnership) to help people respond to the Government’s Gender Recognition Act 2004 Consultation for England and Wales that went live on 3rd July 2018.
The Consultation asks the public to give their opinion on what the procedure should look like for someone applying for legal gender recognition in future. This Guidance does not tell you exactly what to say; and like Mermaids, we believe that YOUR story, thoughts and experiences are the most powerful and we want you to complete the consultation in your words.
You can download a pdf of the Guidelines below:
'Lost in Transition' Conference - video
Date added: 24 August 2018
We are delighted with the video for the 'Lost in Transition' conference that we held in July. To take a look, click here
Thank you to everyone that came along and especially those that contributed.
And a massive thank you to Tom Turner for taking the time to do such a brilliant job filming it for us.
LGBT+ awareness training - 26th September 2018
Date added: 23 August 2018
Do you need clarity around LGBT+ issues?
Our 3 hour CPD Accredited LGBT+ awareness session is priced at £48.50 per person.
This training is being held in Exeter and is a fantastic opportunity to explore, learn and ask any questions you may have in a safe and non-judjmental space.
For more information, click here
There are a limited number of places available, so book quickly!
'Enough is Enough' LGBT+ Hate Crime Survey - Dorset
Date added: 24 July 2018
Are you LGBT+ and you live/work in Dorset? Have you experienced any form of homophobia, transphobia or bi-phobia?
Please tell us what happened. Did you report it? If not, why didn't you feel able to? Sharing your experiences will help to ensure that no one can ignore what's really going on out there.
Take part in our short 'Enough is Enough' Hate Crime survey - it only takes a few minutes to complete: 'Enough is Enough' Hate Crime Survey
LGBT Survey and Action Plan
Date added: 3 July 2018
We will be at 10 Downing Street today to talk about the LGBT Action Plan, which has been published as a result of the LGBT Survey that was recently completed by 108,100 LGBT+ people between July and October 2017.
In response to the survey, the government has produced a 75-point plan to improve the lives of LGBT+ people.
You can find the result to the LGBT Survey here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-lgbt-survey-summary-report
We're on Instagram
Date added: 25 June 2018
You can now keep even more up to date with everything we do, by following us on Instagram
You'll find us at: https://www.instagram.com/intercomtrust/
Data Protection update and our privacy policy
Date added: 24 May 2018
Intercom Trust complies with the Data Protection Act (2017) and the new EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that come in to force on 25th May 2018. We have updated our website to inform service users and stakeholders about how we keep personal information and individual’s rights about this. This Privacy Policy can be viewed on our website
We will be continuing to improve our policies and procedures so will from time to time update this page.
If there are any queries please contact Max Cohen, Intercom Trust’s Data Protection Officer.
Lost in Transition Conference - Plymouth, July 2018
Date added: 16 May 2018
On Wednesday 18th July 2018, Intercom is running a conference in Plymouth on the needs of transgender and gender variant children and young people, and their families, schools, etc. To find out more about the conference and to register, see below.
What's it about?
Following our first four “Lost in Transition?” conferences in Cornwall & Devon, which generated enormous interest and outstandingly positive feedback, we are hosting another Gender Identity Conference in Plymouth, where increasing numbers of young people are presenting as Transgender or Gender Variant.
Resources for schools
We will also showcase our Schools Transgender Guidance, and our guidance for Setting up an LGBTQI+ / Straight Allies Group in your Educational Establishment. These two documents are free resources for educators from The Intercom Trust in partnership with our public-sector stakeholders.
Details
With help from Plymouth City Council, the conference is open to all our professional colleagues in schools & education, the NHS, social workers, community safety & police, family support workers, etc. Places are limited and advance booking is estential.
To register your interest and receive a booking form for the Conference please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and put 'Lost in Transition' in the subject line. The cost is £60 per delegate (discount for group of 5+).
Devon Community Support and Advocacy Worker (full-time) - Intercom is Recruiting.
Date added: 9 May 2018
An exciting opportunity has arisen ... ... to join our team as a full-time Devon Community Support and Advocacy Worker - 35 hours per week
Are you professional, well-informed on LGBT+ issues, good at working as part of a team as well as on your own initiative and have access to a vehicle in order to carry out the role across Devon? Excellent communication skills are a must for this, at times, challenging post.
Interested? Download the full job-description & person-specification, and the application-form.
Deadline for applications is noon on Monday 4th June 2018. Interviews will be held on Wednesday 13th June 2018.
Cleaner needed
Date added: 3 April 2018
We need an experienced self-employed cleaner at our Exeter office. Are you available for 2 hours on a Tuesday or Wednesday daytime? Hourly rate £10ph. If you're interested, email us with details of your cleaning experience by noon on Friday 13th April. Our email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Helpline Worker (part-time) — Intercom is RECRUITING!
Date added: 7 March 2018
An exciting opportunity has arisen ...
... to join our Help Support and Advocacy team in our Exeter office - 14 hours per week (9am-4pm Monday, Tuesday or Friday).
Are you professional, well-informed on LGBT+ issues, good at working as part of a team as well as on your own initiative? Excellent communication skills are a must for this, at times, challenging post.
Interested? Download the full job-description and person-specification, and the application-form.
Deadline for applications is noon on Tuesday 3rd April 2018. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 10th April 2018.
Kind Mind Group - starting 1st May 2018
Date added: 27 February 2018
We're holding a Kind Mind (compassionate mindfulness) taster session on Monday, 12th March, 2018 16.30- 18.30 in Exeter facilitated by Max, from Intercom’s Help, Support and Advocacy Team, and Semanthi, Trainee Clinical Psychologist from Plymouth University.
This session will give you an overview of the 6-week course being held on Tuesdays starting on 1st May 2018 and you’ll get the chance to see if it’s right for you and if so, sign up to start on the 6-week course (either the one starting in May 2018 or at a later date).
If you’re interested in attending either the taster session or the next course please call 0800 612 3010 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible.
More...
Sexual Orientation Monitoring event - Tuesday 6th March 2018
Date added: 6 February 2018
On October 5th 2017 the NHS announced that sexual orientation would be monitored in health and social care. We want to talk to members of the LGBT+ community and hear your thoughts.
We are hosting an event on Tuesday 6th March, 1 - 4pm, and it's FREE.
We'll be discussing:
- The media response
- What it will look like in practice
- Answering any questions you have
- How you can help reduce inequalities faced by Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual people.
To register for a space, head to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/thanks-for-asking-sexual-orientation-monitoring-in-the-nhs-tickets-42872262090
February - LGBT History Month
Date added: 31 January 2018
Every February is LGBT history month, which aims to celebrate the lives and achievements of the LGBT community, and also promote tolerance and raise awareness of the prejudices faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
LGBT+ Community Groups
Date added: 19 January 2018
If you're looking to make new friends or meet new people in 2018, why not take a look at our Directory?
It lists LGBT+ community groups throughout the South West.
Go to: Directory
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us all
Date added: 21 December 2017
We would like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Over the Christmas period the Intercom Trust be closed from 4pm Friday 22nd December and will re-open at 9am on Tuesday 2nd January 2018. During this time the helpline will not be answered and staff will not have access to their emails.
You can look at our directory for information on local LGBT+ support and social groups which may be running over the festive period https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk/directory/
Other services running are:
LGBT+ Switchboard 0300 330 0630 https://switchboard.lgbt/ Open between 10am and 10pm every day of the week, 365 days of the year. You can get in touch on the phone, by email or through Instant Messaging. Calls to this number will cost you the same as calls to 01 and 02 numbers and are included in any call allowances you may have either on a mobile or a landline.
MIND Transline 0300 330 5468 http://mindtws.org.uk/trans-plus/ Confidential listening service for people who identify as Trans, A Gender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary run by Trans, non-binary, LGBT and Trans Allies. The helpline is co-run by local mental health charities Bristol Mind and Mind in Taunton and West Somerset. Usual opening times are Mondays and Fridays 8pm to midnight. See the following opening times over the Christmas and New year period. Mon Dec 18th 8pm - Midnight Fri Dec 22nd 8pm - Midnight Mon Dec 25th Christmas Day 8pm - Midnight Mon Jan 1st New Year’s Day 8pm – Midnight
Samaritans 116 123 h ttps://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/contact-us Whatever you're going through, call the Samaritans free any time, from any phone. You don't have to be suicidal to call them or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Childline 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/ Call free – whatever your worry, Childline are there for you.
KOOTH https://kooth.com/ Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm The Silver Line 0800 470 80 90 https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/ Helpline for older people.
The Silver Line is the UK's only 24 hour free, confidential helpline for lonely and isolated older people open every day and night of the year.
