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WHO WE ARE - PWY YDYM NI?

THE UNIQUE COMMITTEE
Unique is a Constituted Organisation with a Committee elected by the  Members.

Mae Unique yn Sefydliad Cyfansoddiadol gyda Phwyllgor a etholir gan Aelodau.


Jenny-Anne Bishop (Chair)

Elen Heart (Secretary & Treasurer)

Alice Attwood

Lucy Darnton

Emlyn Hall-Wight



Anthea Makepeace

Aison Stevens

Julie Weston

Angela Williams


Jenny-Anne Bishop
(Chair & Outreach co-ordinator)

I’ve been transgender as long as I can remember.  In 1980 I was diagnosed TS, but as I was married with young children I decided to stay TV until they grew up.

I now live with my partner Elen as Jenny-Anne, and feel that at last it's the real me.  Having retired in 2008 I spend my time trying to help the trans community and doing diversity training.  Elen and I try hard to represent the acceptable face of trans people to the wider community.  I'm very glad to be a member of Unique and do my best to help and be useful to the group.


Elen Heart
(Secretary & Treasurer)

Unlike many Trans people, I didn,t realise that I was transgender until fairly recently, though I’ve felt for a long lime that I was not 'normal'.

My first mentors were two transsexual women, and I soon realised that I was more than a cross-dresser.  I  have come to realise that I am Non-Binary, and I now live something of a dual gender life.  In 2011 I married another trans woman, Jenny-Anne, and now divide my time largely between working in the trans community and being a housewife.


jennyanne@uniquetg.org.uk

Alice Attwood

For years I've dreamt of being able to say that I'm Alice.  I've been aware of being different since I was about 7 years old, and I've been hiding who I am for most of my
life. Finally being open about who I am is wonderfully liberating, and terrifying
 in equal measure.

I'm now trying to integrate two disparate
 lives and sets of interests.  I love climbing, exploring abandoned mines, walking in the mountains and wild camping, and now I'm developing a real interest in fashion and make-up.  At the moment everything is up in the air and a bit mixed up, but as the dust settles, hopefully all that will remain is the true me.  I feel now that I'm enjoying life.

Unique has been instrumental in helping me gain the confidence to come out, and
start with my transition.
 


alice@uniquetg.org.uk

Lucy Darnton

It’s only in the last few years that I’ve learnt to enjoy the freedom to be myself: I am Lucy, I am a trans woman, and I now live openly as such here on the Wirral with my three children. I didn’t always think this was going to be possible.

It took until my late thirties to accept myself, but at that point I started to realise I needed to be honest with those closest to me about who I really am. In fact, I wanted to tell the world, but I did know where to start.  Then I discovered Unique and that really was the key to me finding the way forward and to start my transition; I’ll never forget the help and support they gave, and continue to give. It hasn’t been an easy path, but I’m so grateful that I am here today as Lucy.

As part Unique I hope in turn to be able to support others and work towards a world in which trans folk have true acceptance.


lucy@uniquetg.org.uk

Emlyn Hall-Wight

I was in my early 20's when I fully realised the person I was most happy to be.
I joined Unique when Covid took hold.  Since then I have met a ton of people like me, and am now able to give
back some of the advice and
guidance that was given to me.



elen@uniquetg.org.uk

elen@uniquetg.org.uk


emlyn@uniquetg.org.uk


Anthea Makepeace

Anthea started to emerge in the spring of 2010 after I gained freedom when my mother had sadly to move into care, and I transitioned successfully in my 70s, post retirement.

The most important factor for me was to find peer  social/support groups.  Once
I had found such groups (not an easy matter) the gates were opened on a new and satisfying life.  Older life transition is essentially no different from any other transition with certain elements excluded due to advancing age  The social groups provided all the pointers and more.  Once accepted into the trans community
I found friendship and support of a quality
I had not before experienced.  


anthea@uniquetg.org.uk

Aison Stevens

I knew I was Trans from about the age of four, I didn’t know that what it was called! It took me until I was 47 to decide to transition!

It’s much easier for a Transman to get by in life before they transition, and especially after they start taking hormones. That’s not to say it’s a walk in the park!

I discovered Unique during lockdown and I’ve never looked back since!  I’ve had such a good laugh on the Zoom meetings and the live ones too, meeting some truly wonderful people.

I joined the Committee as I felt there was a need for the Transmasculine voice to be heard - Transwomen / Transmen, same but different!


Julie Weston

I was aged 13 when I become aware of the desire and need to dress in a feminine way.  Then I was unaware of the word Transgender so it was difficult for me to express my feelings and to know who
 I really was.

I have children from a marriage which in part failed due to me be being confused about my Gender identity,  I now also have grand children.  I found the working environment mentally damaging to me due to abuse that I received because
I am Transgender.   

About 6 years ago I joined Unique and with their support came out as Julie.  Now I am out and about being the feminine lady that I have always wanted to be, I love being feminine and I love pretty clothes and make up.Unique has changed my life in such a positive way,
so thank you Unique.


julie@uniquetg.org.uk

aison@uniquetg.org.uk

Angela Williams

Since a very young age I realised that I was different to other boys. I was never keen on sports, and in infant school I would always dress in dresses from the dressing up box.  As I got older the feminine feelings grew much stronger, and with the advent of the internet I realised there were others like me and also people willing to help and listen.

I’m married and although I have the most wonderful and accepting wife who has known about my feminine self for nearly thirty years, things don’t always run smoothly.  In 2009 I came across Unique and began to go to their monthly meetings.  With their help and guidance I have gained more confidence in who I am, enabling me to venture out into the wide world as my true self. Hopefully, I can now give something back and help others in what can seem a very confusing time in their lives.


angela@uniquetg.org.uk