Special Announcement from the Board of Directors and Advisors of CMAGIC

For more than two decades, a collective of local gender diverse individuals, along with supportive allies including a local endocrinology consultant, GPs, healthcare professionals, solicitors, counselors, elected officials, and volunteers from various sectors, have collaborated with the shared objective of establishing a unique approach to Gender Reassignment services. The aim was to provide these services locally, with both clinical and non-clinical staff trained to better understand the challenges faced by gender variant individuals in their daily lives.

This innovative healthcare pathway was conceived as part of a broader strategy to meet the needs of gender diverse individuals who may not yet be prepared for medical transition but still require support. Drawing upon the collective expertise within the group, it was decided that this clinical service would form part of a comprehensive framework offering various forms of assistance.

In 2006, the initiative took shape with the establishment of the Sefton Transgender Volunteer Service, catering to individuals seeking medical transition but facing unemployment barriers. Subsequently, recognizing the value of voluntary employment, supported by guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, individuals began engaging in voluntary roles within Sefton organizations, such as Sefton PCT.

In 2013, the Transgender Support Service (TSS) was launched, providing counseling and support for individuals across Sefton, Liverpool, and Knowsley. Operated by Merseycare NHS Trust since 2017, this service remains operational.

Efforts then turned towards supporting young gender diverse individuals, resulting in the establishment of the first fully-funded trans youth group, complete with a dedicated youth worker, under the YPAS/GYRO organization.

In 2015, the inception of Trans Health Merseyside (THM), delivered by Sahir House on behalf of In-Trust Merseyside, aimed to offer support regardless of an individual’s stage in their transition. Utilizing various methods including peer support and group meetings, this service provided comprehensive assistance.

2017 saw the introduction of Trans Health-Sefton, with the dual purpose of enhancing primary care services for gender diverse individuals and providing guidance for healthcare professionals. Dr. Anna Hunter, serving as a GP champion, played a pivotal role in this initiative, which later garnered recognition with the prestigious Health Service Journal Award in 2019.

Simultaneously, the group, now known as CMAGIC, advocated for local clinical services, a concept that gained momentum with national reports. In 2018, following a national competition, CMAGIC’s proposal was selected as one of the pilots by NHS England. Merseycare NHS Trust was chosen to host and deliver the services.

The CMAGIC service officially launched in January 2021, following a rigorous evaluation process. In early 2023, NHS England determined that each pilot would transition into a funded service, with a procurement process to determine ongoing providers. Merseycare NHS Trust continues to manage the CMAGIC clinical service.

The collaborative’s board celebrates the permanent establishment of the service, expressing gratitude to the dedicated medical staff and administrative colleagues who contributed to its success. Looking ahead, the collaborative remains committed to developing the remaining aspects of the CMAGIC framework, with details available on their website.

While the name may have changed, the essence of the service remains consistent, reflecting the dedication of those who advocated for its inception. Just as a Marathon became Snickers without altering its essence, the history and mission of CMAGIC endure unchanged.

CMAGIC Announcement

The CMAGIC board are pleased to announce that CMAGIC has now been incorporated as a Community Interest Company (CIC). CMAGIC was previously a charity (Charitable Incorporated Organisation or CIO). A CIC is a special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders. For further information, please visit the following page: CMAGIC CIC.

Welcome to the In-Trust Merseyside website!

In-Trust Merseyside is a network that challenges transphobia and discrimination in so many ways we’ve had to create a separate page… or three… to detail it all. (See above tabs) Not only that, but we’re award winners and frequently pioneers in what we do.

Our key objectives are to:

• Provide support and guidance for people with an intersex or transgender history in Merseyside.
• Positively promote best practice around employing people from this community.
• Work with both voluntary and public sector organisations to identify the barriers to employment and service delivery faced by this community.
• Combat transphobia, promote greater acceptance and rights for all people under the ‘trans umbrella’.
• Provide a safe place to explore and express personal gender identity, provide advice, and offer support with transitioning.

To help facilitate this, we meet once a month (See Meetings tab to the right) to discuss what we’re up to and what we should be up to. Newcomers are always welcome at our meetings. We don’t care which bit of the gender spectrum you’re on, or whether you’re just coming to terms with your (or someone else’s) gender identity or so experienced you’ve acquired limpets! We will be glad to meet you. However, we do ask those representing a company, service, organisation, etc. to get our agreement prior to meeting us (see the Contacts page). Basically, the bottom line is, no matter who you are, as long as you respect us, we will respect you… and even offer you a brew and a biscuit too. We’re nice like that!

So do  take a look around our website and, in all sincerity, we look forward to hearing from or, even better, meeting you.

In-Trust Meetings

UPDATE:

Meetings are usually held on the 1st Saturday of each month. For details of our next meeting please visit Trans Mission Wirral’s facebook page here:

SING Plus Centre, 53a Cambridge Rd, Seaforth, Waterloo, Liverpool L21 1EZ.

Our venue is fully accessible and has changing facilities, on-site parking and free refreshments available.

You can pop in and out of the meeting as you wish and there are no membership fees.

We also have a Discord group where members can chat outside of meeting times. To join this we ask that you sign up as a member of In-Trust’s Facebook Community page Trans+ + Friends Merseyside and Cheshire Community Information – which is a private group and to safeguard our members you will be asked some questions to be given access to the group.

If you need more information, please feel free to contact us:

Jay@merseysideintrust.org

Anthony@merseysideintrust.org