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Training

Mermaids offers tailored, CPD accredited gender diversity training modules for professionals. Our training aims to:

  • Empower professionals through increased knowledge of gender diversity, to help them create a trans inclusive ethos in their workplace.
  • Equip professionals with the most up to date and relevant information on issues affecting the trans community.
  • Enable professionals to be confident in supporting trans, non-binary and gender diverse individuals, and embrace all members of the trans community within their organisation. 

Our CPD-accredited training courses are tailored for professionals across the third and public sectors. No matter your area of work, we would love to support you through our bespoke training modules.

Get in touch with us today to find out more.

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Our training courses

At Mermaids, we offer a variety of training courses that will help your organisation support and understand trans, non-binary and gender diverse people.

  • Supporting Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Young People

    Duration: 2.5 hours

    In this session, we cover the following topics:

    • Understanding gender identity and gender diversity: what it means to be trans or gender diverse 
    • Trans terminology including pronoun use 
    • Challenges faced by trans young people: isolation, bullying and discrimination, family issues, social situations, mental health, transitioning while in education/workplace etc. 
    • Transition pathways, including healthcare 
    • Changing names, systems and forms 
    • Legal responsibilities: the Equality Act, hate crime incidents, transphobia 
    • Improving trans equity and diversity: policies, guidance, recommended resources 
  • Neurodiversity and Trans Identities

    Duration: 1.5 hours

    In this session, we cover the following topics:

    • Overview of different neurodiverse conditions
    • Testimonies from neurodiverse trans people
    • Reflections on the latest research into neurodiversity and gender diversity
    • The challenges and barriers faced by neurodiverse trans people
    • Supporting neurodiverse trans people
  • LGBTQ+ Healthcare

    Duration: 1.5 hours

    In this session, we cover the following topics:

    • The needs of LGBTQ+ people accessing healthcare
    • The barriers preventing LGBTQ+ people accessing healthcare
    • The implications of negative experiences of healthcare
    • Health inequalities faced by LGBTQ+ people
  • LGBTQ+ Mental Health

    Duration: 1.5 hours

    In this session, we cover the following topics:

    • The barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people accessing mental healthcare
    • The implications of LGBTQ+ people not addressing mental health concerns
    • Why LGBTQ+ people may be at higher risk of poor mental health outcomes

Click the image above to read our brochure.

Who do we train?

We train professionals across all sectors, including:

  • The public sector including the NHS, schools, social services, CAMHS, police and uniformed services
  • The third sector, including charities, social enterprises and community groups
  • Corporate clients across a range of industries

We can also deliver training to HR departments and management. We can help you support and understand the needs of transgender employees, and ensure that your organisation’s policies and procedures are inclusive. 

We offer interactive training for groups of up to 30, as well as presentations for larger groups. We can deliver these sessions either virtually or in person. 

Corporate training sessions

We also offer corporate training sessions to raise awareness in your organisation around the issues impacting the trans community and help you and your colleagues be the best allies possible.

If you’d like to learn more about our corporate training, get in touch today.

Bespoke training sessions

While we have a host of ready-made training courses, we can also create sessions tailored to your organisation’s needs. 

We can modify our training to your specific needs. For example, if you are a school supporting young people questioning their gender, or an NHS Trust wishing to upskill key staff members, we can take this into account when planning your training session.

Get in touch to arrange sessions that suit you and your organisation.

Training for individuals

Not organising training for a group? Mermaids also offers “individual sessions”. 

These offer individuals the chance to attend training with others, so you still get the opportunity to train with us, even if you are not part of a group.

A wide variety of professionals have joined our individual training sessions, including:

  • Teachers
  • NHS Trust workers
  • Suicide prevention volunteers
  • Counsellors
  • Community theatre workers
  • Fostering services
  • Children’s care home staff
  • Council staff

These sessions run on a regular basis throughout the year. Get in touch with us to book onto an individual training session.

Will I get a certificate after training with Mermaids?

All training includes:

  • A certificate for attendees
  • Links to further information and materials
  • Free resources and follow on support.

Our training packages are certified by the CPD Association (member organisation 12757).

What our clients say about our training

“I really enjoyed the training, it was informative, delivered well and enthusiastically and I came away feeling I had a better understanding of what young people go through; plus I now feel more confident talking about this with our students. Thank you.” 

“This is the only virtual training session I have done where I have been able to remain completely engaged throughout. The trainer was an excellent facilitator and covered the topic thoroughly and sensitively. Really interesting and will definitely recommend.” 

“I found that our trainer was really helpful when looking at the videos but then explaining and applying how that may transfer within our job roles, and how best to approach a young person who needs the support.”

“The trainer was great, really clear and helpful. I felt at ease to share and talk without fear of judgement. I learnt an incredible amount. I would highly recommend to any professionals working in education.” 

  • Past projects: Department for Education (2017-19)

    Mermaids have supported many families and young people dealing with bullying and discrimination due to their gender identity. As part of that support, we delivered training into schools to help them understand the issues that children face and to give them the understanding and tools to both support those children and to tackle bullying in all forms.

    Mermaids was funded by the DfE to deliver training into 40 schools nationwide as part of a partnership of multiple organisations, through the LGBT Consortium. An overview of what this covered is below, and if your organisation would like to undertake a similar program, we can deliver this.

    Purpose

    The overall purpose is to reduce the number of incidents of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic (HBT) bullying in primary and secondary schools, by transforming the culture of how schools prevent and respond to HBT bullying in a sustainable way.

    Aims

    The programme aims to do this in three main ways:

    • To prevent HBT bullying from happening in the first place
    • To effectively respond to HBT bullying when it does occur
    • To create an inclusive school environment for trans pupils and families

    Benefits

    • Improving school staff capacity and confidence to tackle HBT bullying
    • Support from experienced professionals worth up to £1500
    • Comprehensive development plan for your school’s anti-HBT work
    • Support around creating and embedding policy and practice around tackling HBTbullying
    • Training and support for school staff
    • Access to a range of resources including lesson plans, supporting documents, helpline