back
to the
top
joy as an act of resistance
At Not A Phase, now as always, we are focused on delivering a vital role in supporting trans+ lives through uplifting them, celebrating them and ensuring joy exists in the everyday of our community. Our charity continues to provide inclusive spaces for trans+ people to come together and improve their resilience and wellbeing through fitness, creativity and joy. This work is an act of resistance and is more important than ever.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Not A Phase is a trans-led, nationwide charity with a mission to uplift and support trans+ adults across the UK through providing inclusive services to enhance wellbeing, foster creativity, build skills, and cultivate joy as an act of resistance.
WHAT WE DO
We currently operate in eight major UK cities, offering a range of services to meet the diverse needs of the trans+ community. These include our flagship Misfits programme, delivering fitness and wellbeing opportunities through workouts, swimming, basketball, pole
fitness, and self-defence classes. As well as this we offer peer support for the trans+ community through the Trans+Connect programme, providing intersectional support groups tailored to the unique experiences of trans+ people. These programmes currently bring joy to the 5,000 trans+ people benefitting from them and
we are committed to ensuring as many people as possible are able to enjoy these positive experiences into the future.
INTRODUCING OUR STRATEGY
Not A Phase was established in 2020, responding to a growing need in the trans+ community for spaces to bring people together to connect, improve physical and mental wellbeing and feel part of something bigger. Since then, the charity has grown exponentially to meet the diverse needs of the community, with increasing recognition of a brand which
brings trust and confidence to both funders and service users. The investment in the charity has been significant and has provided consistency for both the small core team at the heart of the charity and for those across the country delivering and receiving the in person and online support. However, we are mindful that the need has not stopped growing, particularly as the trans+ community and charities supporting them are navigating an extremely challenging political, social and economic environment, with funding
and sustainability becoming evermore important to underpin the good work we are committed to continue. And so to ensure the community continues to benefit from our services and has spaces where they able to participate in shared experiences, that grow resilience and bring joy, we are outlining our commitments to guide us on this exciting journey over the next five years.
Our Strategic Priorities
1. creative empowerment
Our Goal: To empower trans+ voices through the arts and cultural expression.
- Expand programs in safe, inclusive spaces which provide online and in- person outlets for creative expression.
- Partner with film and media creators to launch milestone cultural moments.
- Host creative socials and partner with festivals to support and develop inclusive
events.
2. Health, Fitness & Wellbeing
Our Goal: To promote holistic wellbeing through our Misfits programme, providing diverse, inclusive and accessible health and fitness initiatives.
- Maintain Misfits sessions with an emphasis on improving quality of experience, accessibility and inclusion.
- Develop initiatives such as couch-to-5K, health info packs, and fitness fundraising events.
- Expand online classes and seek to provide support before and after surgery.
3. Skill-Building & Employment
Our Goal: To improve employability and leadership opportunities for trans+ people.
- Launch Trans+ Career Days, mentorship programs, and workplace-readiness workshops (CV writing, interview prep, confidence building).
- Offer employer training on inclusive hiring and workplace retention strategies.
- Promote peer mentoring and leadership development within the community.
- Create pathways for trans+ individuals to enter leadership roles in partner organisations and beyond
4. Community Support & Allyship
Our Goal: To strengthen trans+ support networks and equip allies with meaningful roles.
- Engage allies through impactful storytelling, podcasts, and training resources.
- Reframe “allyship” to foster accountability and action.
5. Reach & Representation
Our Goal:To extend our support across the UK and amplify trans+ narratives.
- Broaden presence to small towns and rural areas using physical materials in public and private spaces.
- Strengthen presence at LGBTQIA+ events and other diverse cultural events.
- Seek partnership opportunities with magazines, places of worship, and community
and social groups.
Enablers & Infrastructure
Funding & Sustainability
• Diversify income streams: public donations, corporate partners, national funding pots and legacy funding.
• Develop initiatives such as a podcast to build visibility and a create passive income streams.
• Establish a clear funding history and impact reporting process to build donor confidence.
Data, Monitoring & Evaluation
• Invest in robust monitoring across all services to inform development and secure long-term funding.
• Partner with universities and researchers to evidence impact and drive innovation.
Digital Growth
• Leverage online platforms and mailing lists to build community and engagement.
• Improve online accessibility for classes, resources, and support groups.
People
• Investing in our staff, volunteers and network of fitness leaders to grow our capabilities and capacity in order to deliver our strategy over the next five years.
Our Values
Connected
Creative
Pioneering
Joyful
Accessible
Collaborative
Impactful
Our Commitment
Not A Phase is committed to creating joyful, safe, and empowering spaces for trans+ adults. This five-year strategy is a roadmap to deeper impact, broader reach, and sustainable change. Together, we can create a world where every trans+ person can thrive. Whether you are part of the community, a potential partner, or an ally ready to act – there’s a place for you at Not A Phase.
Delivering Our Strategy
Our strategy is underpinned by key enablers that will ensure we can sustain our core service offer and expand to meet the emerging needs of the trans+ community. A critical part of this is ensuring our financial sustainability through moving away from fragile funding methods and prioritising a greater focus on opportunities to maximise diverse and long-term income streams. Our approach to fundraising will be supported by strong monitoring and evaluation of our services, which will form part of the annual review of our strategy, to evidence our impact and build donor confidence.
Putting the charity on a sustainable footing will also enable us to invest in our most valuable asset, our people. We will ensure Not A Phase continues to be an inclusive, exciting, creative and impactful place for employees and volunteers and we are committed to invest in our capabilities and capacity to ensure we can deliver the very best services for the trans+ community into the future.