Support for trans and gender diverse staff and students

The University is firmly committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for everyone in our community; our values as an inclusive institution remain core to who we are.

We are redeveloping our guidance for trans and gender identity support at the University. While we do so, colleagues are reminded that guidance on supporting students with their wellbeing is available on the Staff Portal, and staff wellbeing resources can be accessed on our HR webpages.

Further links to support and information for staff and students are below, with some useful links to external organisations. Some of these links are to external sites, for which the University holds no responsibility.

Promoting understanding and open dialogue, carried out in a respectful manner, is a shared responsibility across our community and discrimination, bullying and harassment are never tolerated.

Support available and useful links

Staff, students and visitors can view locations of unisex toilets on campus, which is updated regularly.

For staff:

Support is available to all colleagues via:

• Their line manager
• Head of School or Directorate
• The HR Advisory team
• UCU and the Staff Forum
• The University’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Other resources are also available for staff including:

• Health and Wellbeing pages
• Resources for Managers
• LGBTQIA+ Staff Network
• Internal EDI learning and awareness sessions on UoRLearn such as Trans Awareness andIntroducing LGBTQIA+ Allyship online sessions.
• A range of external online learning resources on equity, diversity and inclusion via Onvero (previously known as Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion). Register for access using your University of Reading email address, set a password and log in.

For students:

• LGBTQIA+ Wellbeing Resources (includes options for receiving support from inside and outside the University)
• Reading Students' Union Commitment to Trans Inclusion (includes support that is available at Reading Students’ Union, and at the University)

Local organisations:

• Proud to be Trans in West Berkshire (offer support and advice to any individual member of the LGBTQIA+ community and their families. This includes a safe venue for members of our community to meet with others.) 
• SupportU (a local LGBTQ+ charity)

National organisations:

• CliniQ (a service offering holistic, sexual and wellbeing health for all trans people)
• FFLAG (national charity focused on supporting families with LGBT+ loved ones).
• Galop (national charity for LGBTQIA+ victims of domestic abuse, hate crime or violence) or contact 0800 999 5428
• LGBT Foundation (a national LGBTQ+ charity that provides health and wellbeing services, offering support, activities, and practical help to empower LGBTQ+ people and communities).
• Mermaids (UK’s leading trans-focused charity providing support services for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children and young people and support for families.)
• Mind (national mental health charity)
• Stonewall (UK human rights charity for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer+ people)
• Switchboard (national LGBTQIA+ helpline) or contact 0800 0119 100
• The Beaumont Society is a nation-wide support network for the trans community aiming to promote understanding and acceptance.
• TransUnite (a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. TransUnite can connect you with Transgender support groups near you).