Dr Helen Greener
23 oct. 2025
Session summary
This session will explore the experiences of gender diverse people working in an NHS commissioned gender identity clinic in England. The Northern Region Gender Dysphoria Service (NRGDS) is an established national specialist service, commissioned by NHS England. The staff are embedded members of the team, directly employed by the service, who work with transgender and non-binary people, offering support from referral to discharge. We will explore what it is like to be trans and working in a gender clinic, from different points in the staff's own care and treatment and the impact that people with lived experience have on the delivery care by clinicians and the culture of the service. We will also reflect on what it is like to be a trans peer supporter working in a mental health organisation. and the interface between and impact of trans employees and the wider organisation.
Biography
Dr Helen Greener (she/her/hers) - Consultant in Gender Dysphoria (Medical Doctor) and Clinical Lead Professional background: Helen moved to the North East to undertake higher training in Old Age Psychiatry in 2006, after working in Glasgow and the Midlands. Helen was lucky enough to encounter the then new service for gender dysphoria, which was based in Sunderland at the time. She discovered a passion for working with trans and non-binary people; meeting people from different backgrounds and learning new things from them is one of the best bits of the job. It is also a pleasure to work in a team of compassionate, dedicated people. Helen enjoys working across barriers and bringing diverse people together, to improve services for trans people.
Charlie Owens (he/him/his) - Senior Peer Supporter / Admin Officer
Charlie worked in retail for a big technology company in sales for a while before switching his focus to teaching and development in equality and diversity within the company. In the diversity team he hosted seminars and lectures to international stores, raising awareness and improving policies for LGBT+ staff and customers. He started working with NRGDS in early 2023 and he says he “loves working with the team and the trans community”. Nine months later Charlie began working as a peer supporter alongside an administrative role, and values the opportunity this has given me to help trans people in a way I wish I had been offered.
Beverley Howe (she/her/hers) - Senior Peer Supporter
Beverley is a fully qualified chef and has worked in a variety of catering settings, before training and working as a recovery worker for third sector organisations. The primary focus was supporting people with severe and enduring mental health conditions in community based settings. worked for the NRGDS since 2021, when the peer support service was set up. Beverley has enjoyed seeing the service expand and develop, and contributing to the success of the peer support service, including supporting new staff in the team.
River Donnison (they/them/theirs) - Senior Peer Supporter
River is a previously worked as a dental nurse in Newcastle, before joining NRGDS as a peer supporter in 2022. River enjoys the variety the job brings and says, “this keeps me on my toes!” River values the opportunity to meet all the people who use our service, and learn new things as the service grows.
