Sapphic Bison is a community-led non-profit dedicated to improving access to equitable, affirming healthcare for transgender and gender-diverse people. We focus on practical interventions that remove barriers and empower communities to take an active role in their own wellbeing. Our work spans research, advocacy, and service delivery, and we collaborate with grassroots groups such as West Oxfordshire Trans & Non-Binary Supoprt CIC to design evidence-based solutions to real-world problems.
One of the biggest gaps our community faces is safe, accessible monitoring for hormone therapy. Many trans+ people experience long NHS waiting times, struggle with inflexible appointments, or avoid clinical settings altogether due to stigma. As a result, essential blood tests are delayed or missed, increasing the risk of adverse health outcomes.
Building on our successful mail-order blood test service, we are launching in person blood testing services. These projects brings blood testing directly into friendly, non-clinical spaces in Edinburgh and Glasgow, delivered in partnership with trusted grassroots organisations. It removes logistical and psychological barriers to care and creates a supportive environment where people feel welcome and respected.
We are also training and supporting community members to act as researchers and service facilitators. This approach not only creates local capacity but ensures the project reflects the lived experiences of those it serves. Data from the project will be analysed with Trans+ Health Research UK to identify needs, measure impact and generate evidence for policy change.
By backing this campaign, you will help:
• Provide accessible, affirming blood tests to young trans+ people who might otherwise go without.
• Reduce health risks linked to unmonitored hormone therapy.
• Build trust and engagement through community-run services.
• Equip trans+ community members with research and service-delivery skills.
• Produce data and insights to advocate for systemic improvements in trans healthcare.
Together, we can show how community-led, harm-reduction models improve safety, inclusion and long-term wellbeing, and pave the way for more equitable healthcare systems across the UK.
