Lucy joined us at Everyturn in December 2022, and she works as a Patient Coordinator in our Kent and Medway service. Lucy is incredibly passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and neurodiversity, and has recently been appointed as the LGBTQ+ National Champion for our LGBTQ+ colleague network!
Let’s talk to Lucy to find out more about what she does here at Everyturn, and about her passion towards LGBTQ+ rights and neurodiversity.
Lucy Henderson (She/Her/They/Them)
Along with being a patient coordinator, I also have been recently appointed as the LGBTQ+ National Champion and I am a part of the Network Committee. This role involves staying up to date on NHS Good Practice for LGBTQ+ clients, sharing information and raising awareness on LGBTQ+ communities and supporting my colleagues with training and education.
A little bit about me… I enjoy reading, cross-stitching, puzzles and listening to music. I have 12 tattoos, only recently got my ears pierced, love going to concerts, passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and neurodiversity!
Most fulfilling part: As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, I have always been passionate about advocating for the community and sharing information to raise awareness. It has been incredibly fulfilling to be able to work with the committee and discuss different ideas for the company and for the community. It has been brilliant to share information with everyone and has been lovely to see everyone reading my posts this month for Transgender Awareness.
Going forward with my champion role and being part of the committee, I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge and understanding of the community and also looking into what we can do in the company to support our LGBTQ+ colleagues and clients.
I am excited to be working with so many wonderful people throughout the company and on the committee!
Recently, I have been focusing on raising awareness for Transgender Awareness Month with various posts on Viva Engage, including posts about what it means to be transgender, transgender parents’ day, how to be a good trans ally and trans remembrance day. I feel it is important to celebrate LGBTQ+ awareness days in order to share information, advocate for rights and celebrate the community.
I am looking forward to doing more posts for future awareness days and working with different teams throughout the company to provide education, training and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights for all colleagues and clients.
If you want to find out more, see the below numbers and websites which offer support and information for the transgender community:
- Switchboard (LGBT+ Helpline): 0800 0119 100 – Open 10am-10pm everyday
- Beaumont Society (Information Helpline): 01582 412220 – Open 24/7
- Gendered Intelligence resources
- LGBT Foundation (Advice, Support and Information): 0345 330 3030
- NHS mental health support if you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans (LGBTQ+)
- Mind information and support
A huge thank you to Lucy for speaking to us all about the incredible work she’s doing here at Everyturn. You can find more information about our transgender and non-binary community mental health support here.
