Testimonials

We are always excited and overjoyed when we are recognised and nominated in both local and national awards. However, we cannot deny we driven by all the positive feedback we get from those we help. The following are a few of the testimonials we have received.

"Safe Haven - Cornwall really helped me at a time when I needed it the most. I needed answers to the many questions that I had and what I may experience with my choices. I understand now that I was extraordinarily lucky to find such as supportive community at such a critical point in my journey."

"As a sorted non-transitonal girl I thought this group was fantastic, and we have nothing like this in Dorset. Full power to be a registered charity. I have attended meetings, and think the work they do could be a national model"

"A positive group for the transgender community and LGBT community in Cornwall, allowing an outlet for those who need support. They also visit local Colleges to help staff and students understand transgender people. They are having a positive effective in Cornwall"

"This is a unique organisation which is needed in today’s culture. All should be supported and feel safe in their sexuality and how they wish to be portrayed. This organisation makes their members feel safe and free to discuss freely. If this group did not stand people would feel isolated and feel uncomfortable in their daily lives"

"They are great advocates for the trans community and helping people from the south west be themselves, and on a personal note they have given me a place to relax in a safe environment and meet people who don\’t judge me for the way I present myself. The work that safe haven do is much needed in a region that lack such facilities."

"Without this group I would have been at a loss as s parent in how to support my transgender daughter. Finding safe haven meant that she had a place to go and be accepted as she is. This truly helped her mental health and was a huge emotional support for me as a parent"

"Cornwall within a national framework is tiny place but this charity brings a powerhouse of tireless effort, enthusiasm and love whilst giving a voice to a community that is often shunned, misunderstood and forgotten. Proud to know the founder members and to spend time with those that clearly benefit."

"I feel that Safe Haven offers a very valuable service in an area of the country where traditional values are still very strong and understanding and acceptance very weak. They provide a really safe non-judgemental comfortable environment for all those struggling with gender identity whatever their age."

"If it wasn’t\’t for this group I would have still been hiding in the shadows I may not have ever been to safe haven to meet any of them but I\’m on their Facebook support page and everything I have seen is a very big inspiration and what they are doing is for people like myself I\’m a transgender female and if it wasn’t\’t for groups like this I would have never have been myself so I would like to nominate safe haven for being a very inspirational support group in the national diversity awards hello I\’d like to say thank you to them for making it possible for me to be who I am today thank you from your support group member Jamie"

"Safe Haven is such a needed organisation, especially in Cornwall where attitudes towards trans people are still very hostile. Living in Cornwall myself, I have seen first-hand how people have been treated on the street and how my friends have been treated. Everyone deserves to feel safe no matter who they are."

The work Safe Haven does is so invaluable to those of us on the transgender spectrum. Not only are they providing a safe space for self-expression, but they are also working tirelessly with businesses and colleges, providing training and education on diversity policies and bringing acceptance to the fore"

Without the support of Safe Haven that I received I would not have been able to be my true self, they have given me the confidence to live my life, I am living in society as my true female self, no other support group even comes close to Safe Haven and the passion they have for the transgender community xxx"

"Such an amazing organisation, it\’s so important that spaces like this are available to trans and non-binary members of the community to ensure they feel safe and loved. These spaces create an environment for them in which they can express themselves."

"These are a group of people who genuinely want to be there for others. The support and help they give a well as supplying as the name says, a safe haven for the trans community is faultless and very much in short supply elsewhere, making this a very important and needed project."

"They do amazing work for the transgender community providing a fun safe environment for what most find a very difficult journey."

"I have known Paul and Jackie for 2 years and regularly attend the monthly parties. They are lovely people. They provide a safe and friendly environment for anyone who feels different, to be themselves. Professional services are available if necessary (counselling etc), or sometimes just a friendly chat in a quiet corner can help someone\’s confidence"

 "The proof of the pudding is always in the eating, as is the resounding case with this group, Safe Haven. From small beginnings made possible by the generosity of the founders, Safe Haven has grown into an inspired and inspiring group giving friendship, heart, empathy, education, security, professional counselling, advice and lots of fun to many who otherwise would have gone on feeling lost and unhappy."

"An amazing organisation offering support and friendship to the trans community."

"A bunch of hard working, very caring people who will go above and beyond to help those in need."

"Amazing and caring work they do"

"An excellent place being run by such lovely people. A very much needed facility in this rural area, even though I myself have yet to come out and make use and meet everyone involved. Of course, I would love to, but the current situation I am in prevents me from doing so. This is even more a necessity to recognise this fabulous organisation!"

"These are a group of people who genuinely want to be there for others. The support and help they give a well as supplying as the name says, a safe haven for the trans community is faultless and very much in short supply elsewhere, making this a very important and needed project."

"Such a welcoming and friendly group, with wonderful help and advice. So many fantastic activities and events, always organised to perfection. Always a smile and a hug and a welcome second to none. Truly is a Safe Haven

"Safe Haven is so deserving of this award, Jackie and Paul/Paula have poured their heart and soul into this amazing charity. They have created a safe a friendly environment for the trans community where they can be their selves without any prejudice."

"I feel that safe haven is a much-needed safe space for trans people. As a trans person myself, I know how alienated we can all feel out there in the world. I feel that this organisation is most deserving of the award."

"My son is transgender and though we live a little too far away to attend the events, Safe Haven\’s online support has been invaluable as there is very little personal support available in the West Country. My son has been waiting over 2 years for a CAMHS therapist, and faces an ongoing (one year so far) wait for a space at a gender clinic."

"Safe Haven is both a safety net for trans folk of all ages and a growing resource for social interaction – whenever I hear of someone in the trans community suffering problems the first place I think of is Safe Haven – we are so very lucky to have this in Cornwall but people come from even further afield to avail themselves of it\’s support network."

"Safe Haven do fantastic work for the trans/non binary community and is a valuable asset for its members. Its continual growth goes to show what a valuable resource it is for those that engage with the service"

"An amazing and much-needed resource for a community that seems to have been completely forgotten by the state. The value of what goes on here for sometimes vulnerable people is incalculable."

"The time and effort put into what they do/provide is second to none, it’s just amazing and they should be recognised and awarded for all the hard work and how they make people feel at Safe Haven is fantastic."