Gender Pathway FAQs
Find out more about who we are and what we’re working towards through our Frequently Asked Questions.
WHAT is the Gender Pathway fund hoping to achieve?
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We are building a fund to provide grants towards the cost of private gender-affirming hormone therapy for trans and gender diverse people on low incomes. Our aim is to cover most of the initial costs of private care, helping people access treatment while working towards a point where their ongoing care can be taken over by a GP, in line with NHS adult gender service specifications.
HOW is my donation used?
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For our first round, all donations will go towards funding trans healthcare. If the fund proves successful, and there is a sharp increase in administrative burden, we may need to allocate a small percentage of costs to paying someone to manage the process. We will be transparent about this and, where possible, we will look to have this work undertaken by a member of the trans community.
WHEN will I be able to apply?
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Our round one fund launched in November 2026, is looking to raise £100,000 by May 2027. For updates follow us on instagram @thegenderpathwayfund.
The mechanism is very simple. We set a funding target, invite donations. Once that target is reached the fund opens to applicants.
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HOW will the fund work?
WHO provides the healthcare?
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We are committed to funding care provided by appropriately regulated, professionally registered practitioners. Our model works by raising funds and then allocating those funds to individuals via independent healthcare providers who, through this scheme, offer reduced rates. We’re currently working with Gender Plus, as the only independent, CQC registered outstanding provider of trans healthcare to those aged 16 and over. Patient choice is important to us. As such, over time, we intend to have a pool of services through which applicants can access care. We are actively pursuing partnerships and encourage regulated providers to contact us. We will continue to update our website as more partnerships are confirmed.
WHY is a shared care arrangement important?
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If your GP is prepared to work with the private healthcare provider under a shared care arrangement, they can carry out blood tests and issue prescriptions for medication, as required - dramatically reducing costs for the patient.
WHO runs the Gender Pathway?
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The organisation was founded and is currently directed by Jace Tor Bulger and Suzanne Coleclough.
They are supported by a small group of volunteers, including trans and gender diverse people and parents of trans people and allies.
Jace is a trans man with a background in aid and development and gender studies. Suzanne is an experienced volunteer and former family lawyer with first hand experience of navigating pathways of trans healthcare for a loved one.
WHAT is covered in the funding?
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The funding is paid directly to the healthcare provider to cover the cost of gender assessment appointments, initial hormone clinic appointment and a 2 year subscription to the hormone clinic, providing that pathway is identified as the best approach.
WHAT if I do not have ID that matches my documents?
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We don’t wish to create any barriers to your application. Rest assured that your personal details will be kept confidential and your application will be handled with care and sensitivity. If you have any concerns please contact us via the contact form.
WILL I need to provide my documents when I apply for funding?
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Yes. It is important that all documents are provided at the time of the application.
WHAT do I do if I need help with my application?
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Please contact us using the contact form, preferably prior to the date that the applications open, and we will do what we can to assist. If you are more comfortable sending an audio application, or to communicate with the help of a supporter, let us know - again using the form - and we will do what we can to accommodate you.
WHAT is the Gender Pathway Fund?
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The Gender Pathway fund is a route to subsidised care. We provide a grant of approximately £2000 for over 18s and approximately £3000 for under 18s to access care via independent providers of trans healthcare. We work with partner providers who also reduce their fee. This enables the patient to pay a significantly reduced amount for the service.
WHAT does the funding pay for?
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Funding pays for up to two years of subsidised care from a partner provider.
Assessment, initial hormone clinic appointment, and a two year subscription to the hormone clinic, where applicable. For further information visit GenderPlus.com
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WHAT is included?
Surgery, travel costs, blood tests and prescription medication.
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WHAT is not included?
HOW are recipients chosen?
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To make the process as fair as possible, the Gender Pathway fund allocates funding on the basis of a lottery system.
WHO makes the decision on who is eligible for funding?
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All applicants who meet the criteria, and submit their application within the designated window, will be entered into the lottery. Details of the application window will be shared when the fund goes live. Once drawn in the lottery, individual applications are double checked by two team members including one director, to ensure documents are valid and the criteria has been met.
CAN I apply if I am already taking hormones?
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Yes, applicants can apply if they are already in receipt of private care and they meet the criteria.
CAN I apply if I am already a Gender Plus patient?
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Yes, applicants can apply if they are already with Gender Plus and they meet the criteria.
WILL I have to share my story publicly?
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Hearing the first hand accounts of those who have benefited from the fund can be a powerful tool in keeping the fund front of mind and encouraging donations. As such we would welcome some sharing by successful applicants. You are welcome to remain anonymous and there is no obligation to share your story.
WHO sees my information?
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The Gender Pathway team will request minimal personal details and financial documents. These will be dealt with by the directors and volunteers as needed, depending on volume, all of whom will have signed a privacy policy.
CAN I access puberty blockers via the fund?
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No, the fund supports those who are 16 plus, and who have already undergone puberty. Puberty blocking medication is not part of the pathway. Please note anti-androgen medication prescribed alongside hormone treatment is not classified as a puberty blocker.
HOW many people will you fund?
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We will look to split the fund equally between those who are 16 and 17, and those aged 18 and over. That equates to 25 adults and 16 young people.
WILL relatives of founders, staff or volunteers be excluded from applying?
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Directors would be excluded from applying but volunteers can apply to the fund in the same way as anyone else. They would be entered into the same lottery and selected at random in the same way as any other applicant, giving them no additional advantage.
WHAT happens if a funding target is not reached?
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When the deadline is reached, if the target amount has not been raised we will seek to fund a smaller group of individuals.
WHAT is the deadline for the first funding target?
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We have set a six-month timeframe for our first funding round. This went live in November 2026 and will close in May 2027.
HOW are places allocated, if a funding round is oversubscribed and who decides?
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All applicants will be entered into a lottery with individuals being randomly selected.
WHAT if someone who has started treatment with you wants to stop?
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Decisions to start, pause or stop treatment are made between the patient and their clinician. Our funding pays for care, not for a particular outcome.
No, as we are a Community Interest Company (CIC), rather than a charity, gift aid cannot be claimed.
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CAN I claim Gift Aid?
WHO regulates you? Will you publish accounts?
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As a CIC, the fund files accounts and an annual community interest report with Companies House, this is overseen by the CIC Regulator.
SHALL I submit my application now?
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No. We will have a specific window within which we will accept applications. Any emails that are sent before or after the application window opens/closes will be deleted.
IF I qualify for funding, am I guaranteed to get access to hormones?
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No. The care plan that your clinician makes with you at the end of a consultation is based on their clinical judgement and expertise. Access to hormone treatment is not guaranteed.
IF successful, will I have to disclose that I am accessing care to my GP?
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Yes. Your care provider will require your GP details at the time of booking.
I don’t want access to hormones, can I still apply for funding and use it just for a gender assessment?
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Yes, if you are successful you can use the funding to access psychosocial services.
WILL my name be kept private?
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All applicant’s details will be kept within the confines of the directors and any information shared for the assessment of eligibility will be anonymised. For the purposes of providing care, names and contact details will need to be shared with partner providers.
HOW many rounds of funding are you hoping to run?
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Our ambition is only limited by how much money we can raise. We will begin with a goal of one fund per year. If the donations continue to come in we will extend this.
WHO speaks on clinical questions?
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We fund the care, we do not deliver it. All clinical questions are passed to our partner providers - starting with Gender Plus and expanding as more providers come on board.
WHY is Gender Plus currently your only partner?
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Gender Plus is our first partner provider. We are currently liaising with other services so that applicants have a choice. As soon as more providers come on board we will update our website.
DO 16 and 17 year-olds need their parents' consent to access the Fund?
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Yes, as applicants under the age of 18 will typically require the support and involvement of a parent or legal guardian to access care via Gender Plus, as such we will also require them to have support to access funding.
WHY is it more expensive to provide care to those aged 16 and 17?
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Patients under 18 typically require six sessions with the psychosocial team, before they are considered for referral to the hormone clinic. By comparison, adult patients (18+) typically undergo only two appointments.
HOW many gender assessment appointments will I need?
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Those under 18 will typically require six appointments. Those aged 18 and over typically require two appointments.
ARE blood tests and medication covered by the reduced fee pathway?
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No. The arrangement does not cover the cost of any blood tests or prescription medication. Many GPs are willing to offer shared care with Gender Plus, which covers these additional costs, but some will not. For further information visit GenderPlus.com
HOW much can I expect to pay for medication if I cannot get shared care?
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Without shared care, those on feminising medication can expect to pay an average of £150 a month. For masculinising treatment without shared care, the monthly amount is between £10 and £50. For further information visit GenderPlus.com
WHAT happens when the two years of funding comes to an end?
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Once funding comes to an end, care passes to the recipient's GP.
WHAT if my GP won't take over after two years?
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It is in the best interest of a patient’s long-term care to have a supportive GP, and one who is comfortable working on a shared-care basis. If this is not an option via their existing GP, patients are encouraged to find a new GP. As this can take time, it is recommended that patients start exploring their options for shared care as soon as possible.
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