Pixie (aka Jackie) became involved with the transgender community in 2013, when her then spouse came out. Previously she had been involved with the LGBT world through her brother who was gay. Through attending appointments at the GIC with her spouse, she became aware and incensed at the process, the 2 years lived experience stipulation and the fact partners and family members got no support whatsoever. Pixie met Paula in 2014 at a trans event in Plymouth, and move to Cornwall in 2015 after being made redundant from her role with Devon Social Services after 15 years. She has 2 daughters and a grandson, and a multitude of animals!

Louise moved to Cornwall from Derby in 2012, as she wanted to raise her twin daughters here. She became a landscape gardener and was kept very busy. She had always known something just didn't sit right, but had no idea what it was until 2019 when she started exploring her gender. This was really difficult for her, she had a wife and 2 daughters and the last thing she wanted to do was disrupt their lives, so she tried to ignore it. Louise soon realised that was not an option, this feeling would not go away. She attended a support group in 2021 to work through everything and find a way to move forward. Louise became very much a part of Safe Haven - Cornwall, she became a Trustee in 2023 and took the Treasurer's role in 2024. Louise has transitioned and lives her life as her authentic self. She is an integral part of the support group, always happy and willing to share her empathy, experiences and knowledge with others.

Gail moved to Looe from Wombourne in 2012, after retiring from a long career in systems management for large department stores. She started attending Safe Haven - Cornwall in 2016, and her ability with numbers, spreadsheets and amazing organisational skills were quickly recognised. Gail was on the original committee formed in 2018, when Paula and Pixie decided they could no longer run everything single handed. Gail became Pixie's 'wing woman', and together they successfully navigated getting registered charity status for Safe Haven - Cornwall in 2020. Gail became Vice Chair, and her pedantic attention to detail and process made her the perfect person to chair meetings, and co ordinate public events for the information and fundraising stand. Gail suffered a stroke during a Trustee meeting in October 2022, and then had a very serious fall in January 2023 which we were told at the time could prove fatal. After months of uncertainty, Gail started to recover and slowly regain her memory, strength and tenacity. Aunty Gail is a stalwart of Safe Haven - Cornwall, a friend and source of support to everyone who comes here.

I have been following Safe Haven-Cornwall probably since it's inception in 2015, but always surreptitiously from behind a screen! This changed back in 2022, when I (following 'revealing' myself to my partner around a year previously) finally found the tenacity to visit in person!

Never looked back since, straight forward all the way.

With the support and encouragement I found at this amazing place, I went full time and started on medication by early 2023. By doing this, I 'crawled out of my shell' and found all the joy and confidence that was suppressed by living the 'wrong life'. Since transitioning, I have become quite active, both within Safe Haven, but also as part of my local community - I live in Clay Country just a few miles north of St Austell.
I sit on the local Parish Council, am involved with several community projects as well as volunteering with one or two other charities - mostly being a volunteer driver. I feel, that while I wholeheartedly enjoy my activities, it also gives some presence to of our community to the wider public. On top of this, I am also a carer for my partner.

Debs has known Pixie since they started secondary school together at 11 years old! They lost touch as adults, and reconnected again in 2013, at a trans event in Torquay. Debs has been involved with Safe Haven - Cornwall since its inception, she was at the first party and has been to virtually every one since! As the partner of a transwoman, she has a lot of insight and experience in supporting and understanding trans people as a cis woman. She is a valued member of the Family Matters support group, where her lived experience can help others trying to support their partner or loved one. Debs was one of the original committee members in 2018, and became a Trustee in 2020.