FOCUS: THE IDENTITY TRUST IS A CHARITABLE TRUST IN NORTHERN IRELAND

(Charity Number NIC100557)

We exist to provide social, educational and recreational activities for Transgender and Intersex individuals in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of the Republic of Ireland who have been referred to it by a Gender Identity Service or Registered Medical Practitioner. The Trust will endeavour to provide a safe welcoming environment for all its members.

Additionally the Trust exists to promote the development of educational information and advice on Transgender and Intersex issues in Northern Ireland, in regard to health, employment, housing, legal and general education issues within Northern Ireland and the Bordering counties of the Republic of Ireland in so far as they affect Transgender and Intersex individuals and their families.

In pursuance of its Mission Statement the Trust has the following objectives: To contribute to the creation and development of emerging policy and practice in relation to Transgender and Intersex issues, as they impact the areas of policy on employment and delivery of information and training to employers, public bodies and trade unions and the general public on issues affecting Transgender and Intersex individuals.

To contribute to debate taking place locally, nationally and internationally on Transgender and Intersex issues.

To contribute to and co-operate with ethical research projects to help increase and develop understanding of the causes, treatment and incidence of Gender Dysphoria and the eradication of Transphobia.

To develop closer co-operation and collaboration amongst Transgender and intersex organisations on the island of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and Globally.

To establish, maintain and develop a website and library of resources on issues relevant to Transgender and Intersex individuals and their families and professionals in Northern Ireland.

To provide a network of Transgender and Intersex individuals and family members willing to provide one-to one peer support for individuals and families struggling with their own or a family member’s gender identity or intersex issues In pursuance of its Mission Statement the Trust has the following objectives.

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To contribute to the creation and development of emerging policy and practice in relation to Transgender and Intersex issues, as they impact the areas of policy on employment and delivery of information and training to employers, public bodies and trade unions and the general public on issues affecting Transgender and Intersex individuals.

To contribute to debate taking place locally, nationally and internationally on Transgender and Intersex issues.

THE FOCUS TRUST HAS THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES

To assist Transgender and Intersex individuals in the promotion of their own positive mental health, in personal and social development, to encourage growth in self-esteem and confidence and help them learn from their own shared experiences.

To help Transgender and intersex individuals to participate in the Trust’s Peer Support Groups, to express their views and play an active part in the planning and management of their own activities.

To assist Transgender and intersex individuals to become aware of their rights and responsibilities as active citizens and to promote the health and welfare of Transgender and Intersex individuals at all times.

What we do:

  • We are the first peer support organisation on the island of Ireland, which exclusively represents and offers support to Transgender individuals who have a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria.
  • We provide that support in a safe and confidential space.
  • We offer support in a variety of settings where the individual can be themselves and meet and talk to others just like them.
  • We offer a non-judgemental ear and provide the opportunity to meet and make new friends in relaxed and enjoyable environments.
  • We promote and advocate for Equality and Human Rights of Transgender and Intersex individuals and their families.
  • We lobby all political parties on the island to ensure proper specialist treatment services in line with international best practice.
  • We are the first Organisation on the island to undertake all of these actions in a coherent, co-ordinated strategic way to achieve positive change in the lives of Transgender and Intersex individuals and their families.

We pride ourselves in the fact that our website is unique in that it only contains information, articles and advice directly relevant to policy, procedures and laws that directly impact the lives of Transgender and Intersex individuals on the island of Ireland.

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In terms of Services we provide the following support groups:

  • FOCUS: BELFAST
  • FOCUS: NORTH WEST
  • FOCUS: MAN (A Support group for Transmen only)
  • FOCUS: SATELLITE (Where we take the groups out on the road to provide support in rural areas)
  • FOCUS: FAMILY AND FRIENDS
  • FOCUS: DISABILITY
  • BUDDYING (one to one support)

INDIRECT SERVICE INCLUDE:

Awareness Raising Workshops for community groups and employers in both the statutory and private sectors.

Policy advice to community, statutory and private sector organisations in relation to their responsibilities towards Transgender and Intersex individuals.

We design and deliver training tailored to meet the needs of individual organisations.

We lobby politicians in regard to policy and legislation affecting Transgender and intersex individuals at local, national and international level.

We advocate on behalf of and directly support and represent individuals in their dealings with “officialdom” regarding benefits, housing, social services and legal matters.

We have 2 seats on the Gender Advisory Panel (GAP) for Northern Ireland which is advising OFMDFM on its new Gender Equality Strategy which will overarch all Government Departments. Once the Strategy is developed GAP will undertake a monitoring role to ensure the strategy is implemented.

Our strategic objectives: To secure the introduction of proper Human Rights based Gender Recognition Legislation across the entire island initially and ultimately globally.

To secure the creation and delivery of integrated specialist Transgender Healthcare Services to international best practice standards across the entire island.

To make the island of Ireland the exemplar internationally on how society should value and deal with Transgender and Intersex individuals as unique and valuable human beings.

SHORT – TERM OBJECTIVES:

By working collaboratively and in partnership with other organisations we plan to increase the level of awareness of Transgender issues in the general population.

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“Normalise” Transgender issues so as to increase the level of social inclusion and reduce the level of social isolation experienced by Transgender and Intersex individuals and their families.

Provide services to develop the self esteem of individual Transgender and Intersex individuals to enable them to access and participate in mainstream educational, training and employment opportunities.

Build capacity within our membership to ensure our sustainability and to enable the expansion of the range of opportunities and services in which our members are able to participate.

Establish a “ Helpline” for those unable to access our other direct services.