Welcome to Inclusion Bites, your sanctuary for bold conversations that spark change. I'm Joanne Lockwood, your guide on this journey of exploration into the heart of inclusion, belonging, and societal transformation. Ever wondered what it truly takes to create a world where everyone not only belongs but thrives? You're not alone. Join me as we uncover the unseen, challenge the status quo, and share stories that resonate deep within. Ready to dive in. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or winding down after a long day, let's connect, reflect, and inspire action together. Don't forget, you can be part of the conversation too. Reach out to jo.Lockwood@seechangehappen.co.uk to share your insights or to join me on the show.

So adjust your earbuds and settle in. It's time to ignite the spark of inclusion with Inclusion Bites. And today is episode 113 with the title, Healthcare without Barriers. And I have the absolute honor and privilege to welcome Doctor Helen Webberley. Helen is the founder of GenderGP, an online health and well-being clinic which proudly serves transgender people of all ages across the world. When I asked Helen to describe her superpower, she said it is her ability to drive change, challenge the status quo, and amplify the voices of those who often face discrimination within the health care system whilst also demonstrating resilience. Hello, Helen. Welcome to the show.

Hi, Jo. Thanks so much for having me. It's an absolute pleasure to be here. Thank you.

I feel very honored. I I used your services through GenderGP back in 2016, and I've followed your trials and tribulations over the last couple of years, which no doubt you will expand on. But yeah. But it's, it's a real honor to have you here, and thank you for sharing your time and giving us your voice. So, Helen, health care without barriers. Tell us more.

Yeah. That's, well, it's kind of like as we say that, it's it should be everybody's privilege. It should be everyone's daily bread and butter, you know, health care without barriers, that's what we all need. And, you know, everywhere in the news you read about health, you need health positivity, health promotion. It's all about being healthy, being fit, being healthy, being happy, being well. But then actually when some people want to be fit and healthy and happy and well, it doesn't always go to plan. And that's as I as a in my career as a doctor, I've seen it several times within several community groups but none so big as the trans and non binary. From here on I will simply just say trans but for the trans, non binary, gender diverse, gender incongruent people, I spotted back in 2015 Safety things were not good and that there were boundaries and there were barriers and there was gatekeeping.

And even worse, there was bias and prejudice and harm from within my own profession. And I was just shocked. And it's interesting you say that you you used my service back in 2016. I can't believe it's been such a long time since this all started. It sometimes feels like yesterday. And then at other times, it feels like a whole lifetime. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, which you kind of allude alluded to in your trials and tribulations. And we've still got a long way to go to cut down and break down those barriers and make healthcare inclusive to all minority groups.

And while I have the privilege to be a doctor, to have medical training, to have the experience of the trans community, and while I've still got kind of life and blood in my veins, I really, really hope to make a really big difference, to trans health care. And I guess, like I say, we've still got quite a long way to go.