What do support networks provide?
- Physical, mental, emotional care
- ‘Practical’ help
- Acceptance, a sense of belonging, unconditional love
- Space to exist, socialise, thrive
People give and receive different things within their support networks, depending on their needs and strengths.
For some respondents, including people living with health issues or disabilities, physical care, and other practical help, were as vital as emotional support and care.
“Definitely helped me navigate the complicated life of being queer (especially trans). There’s so many legal, medical and social barriers that hearing how to overcome them from someone who’s done it is super helpful.”
“I’m still stuck in the house so I’m reliant on getting lifts from my network to get out and about. I’m very lucky to have good relationships with them all. I’m geographically isolated but not emotionally.”
“My primary carer and my partner enable me to do things like getting out of bed, getting clean, dressing, moving around the house and getting to the toilet.”
Many respondents wrote about the other benefits of support networks, including a sense of acceptance and belonging, unconditional love, and the space to exist, socialise, and thrive.
“My friendship networks are hugely impactful in my life – emotional support, having my back, and generally have been the reason I’ve been able to get through problems I’ve faced. They’ve also provided physical and logistical help like food shops when I was isolating etc.”
“These support networks both nurture me and give me space and purpose to nurture others. Most of these spaces are explicitly trans-affirming and can be very helpful to work through societal pressure and queerphobia.”
