Peer support · North East England
A space to be yourself, with people who get it.
Mako is an informal peer support group for trans, non-binary and questioning adults in the North East. It's run by trans people in the North East.
01
What Mako is
Somewhere to talk, listen, share what's worked and meet people who understand what you're going through. That might be while you're waiting for an appointment, working things out, or years into your transition.
-
By and for trans people
Everyone who runs Mako has lived experience. We're peers, not professionals.
-
Informal and friendly
No referrals and no forms. Come as you are, talk as much or as little as you like.
-
Independent
Mako isn't part of the NHS or any gender service, and we can't give medical advice.
02
Sessions
- How often
- Every two weeks, on a weekday evening
- Where
- Central Newcastle. We're looking for a step-free venue near the Metro.
- Next session
- First session in late November. We'll announce the date here.
To keep everyone safe, we don't publish the venue. Let us know you'd like to come and we'll tell you about the next session. If you've any questions or worries about coming along for the first time, just ask.
We also have a WhatsApp group for people who've come to a session. You can join it in person when you come along.
03
Come along
Fill this in and one of us will reply personally within a few days with details of the next session. You don't need to tell us anything about your transition or health.
Prefer email? Write to [email protected]. Mako is for adults (18 and over). If you're under 18, see support for young people below.
04
Need help right now?
Mako is a peer support group, not a crisis or medical service, and we don't monitor our inbox around the clock. If you're struggling now, please contact one of these:
05
Other support
Mako is one part of what's out there. These groups and services also support trans people in the North East and nationally.
-
Be: Trans Support & Community
Weekly peer support drop-in, Tuesdays 6–8pm at One Strawberry Lane, Newcastle (18+). They also run other socials.
be-north.org.uk -
Everyturn Mental Health
Runs a trans and non-binary mental health support group in Newcastle. You can refer yourself.
everyturn.org -
ReCoCo (Recovery College Collective)
Free wellbeing and recovery courses in Newcastle and Gateshead, open to anyone.
recoverycoco.com -
Switchboard LGBT+
A national listening service for LGBTQ+ people. Call 0800 0119 100, 10am to 10pm, every day.
switchboard.lgbt -
NHS gender service waiting list
For questions about NHS gender service referrals and the national waiting list.
genderreferralservice.nhs.uk
If you're under 18
Mako can only support adults, but you're not on your own. You can talk to Childline free on 0800 1111 at any time, or call Switchboard LGBT+.
06
Keeping everyone safe
- Sessions are for adults (18+) only.
- At least two organisers are at every session. Our session leads are taking safeguarding training.
- What's shared in the group stays in the group. No photos, no recording, and no outing anyone.
- We only share the venue privately, with people who've been in touch.
- Everyone is welcome to use whatever name and pronouns are right for them.
07
Privacy
This website doesn't use cookies, analytics or tracking. The form uses Cloudflare Turnstile to check you're not a bot.
What we collect and why
If you fill in the form or email us, we keep the name you give us, your email address and anything you choose to tell us. We use it only to reply to you, to invite you to sessions, and to make sessions accessible for you. We rely on your consent, which you can withdraw at any time.
Who can see it
Only Mako's organisers (currently four people). Your details are stored on Mako's own email server in the EU. Our website is hosted by Cloudflare, and our automatic "thanks for getting in touch" email is sent through Postmark. We never sell or share your details with anyone else, including the NHS or any gender service.
How long we keep it
We delete your details six months after we were last in touch, or straight away if you ask.
Your rights
You can ask to see, correct or delete what we hold about you by emailing [email protected]. If you're unhappy with how we've handled your details, you can complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.