Inspire Resource

Encouragement & Support
Where can you go for support?
Hopefully reading the stories in this resource has given
you some encouragement and hope. Or, perhaps for
some of you, it has inspired some new questions in
you.
In the meantime, you might be wondering who you
can go to for encouragement and support. Here are a
few ideas for you to try:
Family:
In Kava’s story, she said that her main motivation and
inspiration was her family. Sometimes for T-girls, this
is not always the case. Talking to family can be a really
positive experience if and when you feel safe to.
Friends:
No doubt you already have a close group of friends
who you can trust and often talk to. This can be a
good resource when you just need to talk some things
through.
ME Family Services: (Te Punawai Service)
Provides expert support in the area of questioning,
gender and sexuality diversity for young people and
their families in South Auckland. For more info contact
09 256 0810.
School Support Staff:
As you read in Torranice’s story, she felt very loved and
supported by the nurses at her school. School support
staff are a wonderful resource that young people can
reach out to for support. School support staff are
trained professionals in your school like nurses, the
school sounsellor or a social worker (if your school is
lucky enough to have one). Other support staff can be
someone like a teacher aide, or someone who works in
the school office. You might even want to talk with a
supportive teacher.
Student Support Services:
If you are not at school but are studying or on an
alternative education course, ask your tutors or class
reps about student support services. Student support
services usually have counselors, doctors and nurses
available for student access.
Your doctor/nurse:
A good place to go is to your nurse or doctor. A nurse
or a doctor is a trained professional who may be able to
link you with community support.
A local community organization:
There are many services in our communities that we
are sometimes not aware of. So whether you think an
organization can help or not, ask to have a confidential
conversation with a social worker or community
support worker so that you can find out what the
organisation offers.
By Natasha Pokino