FAQs
What is Qtopia? Who is Qtopia for?
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Qtopia is an advocacy, social change, and social support service for the whole LGBTQIA+ rainbow community, based in Ōtautahi Christchurch, and working throughout Waitaha Canterbury and Te Waipounamu the South Island.
We have peer support service available to all transgender, gender diverse, and questioning folk in Waitaha Canterbury regardless of age. Our peer support workers all have their own lived experience of gender diversity, and the service is based around the kaupapa of being able to talk with people who already get it, and have their own experiences of transition. Most people are coming to us for practical support with their gender and transition (things like coming out, changing your documents, finding binders and clothes that fit, for example); mild to moderate mental health support; or support connecting with community and making new friends.
We also provide educational workshops. Our education programme aims to give you the skills you need to feel confident and competent in the support you provide to the rainbow people in your environment - whether they're your staff, students, customers, patients, clients, whānau, community members, or more. These and other options (including custom topics) are available for schools, healthcare providers and private companies.
Alongside these, we offer community events throughout the year.
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What is a peer support service?
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Peer support is a service based on connection through similar life experiences. You will talk to someone who gets it, who understands what you are going through and who appreciates how hard things can get.
How do I know I need peer support?
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If you’re here, that’s your sign. There is no official list of feelings to qualify for peer support - we have clients who just need to talk a little bit over coffee, clients who feel unsure going shopping for clothes and clients who just want to talk over Zoom occasionally.
How do I access peer support? Is it free?
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Do I have to be out? Do I have to have started transition yet to access Qtopia?
If you want to join the Qtopia peer support service, you need a referral. Ask your GP for one - if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your GP about your gender, please let us know and we will find you someone who is gender-affirming to help.
Not at all! There is no requirement, only that you are either questioning or already identifying as a gender diverse person (this means anyone who is trans, non-binary, gender-fluid, genderqueer - anyone beyond the traditional male/female binary). You can be in any stage of your gender diversity journey too.
What happens after I get a referral? How long does it take to get support?
What can I expect from a session?
Are my sessions confidential?
Can I stop using Qtopia at any time?
How do I contact Qtopia? Where is Qtopia available?
After we receive a referral, we process it and send you an email with some basic information. If you have any questions, you are free to ask them at any time. The waiting times depend on our peer support workers’ availability. Once a peer support worker is assigned, they will reach out to you directly and schedule the first session.
Our sessions are run based on your needs and pace. We’re offering both online and in person sessions, in the location of your choosing, including our offices. We don’t push you into anything you don’t want to do, we are here to help, whether that’s by having a chat, going to the gym with you or helping you figure out what to say to people.
Yes, everything that’s said and done stays between you and your peer support worker unless we have some reason to be concerned for your safety or the safety of others. We’ll always let you know if we feel like we need to contact your GP or emergency contact.
Absolutely. Just flick a message to your peer support worker or our main inbox and we can pause your support or discharge you completely at any time you feel like we’ve done all we can together and you’re ready to move forward on your own.
Qtopia is based and operating in Waitaha Canterbury. If you’re outside of this region and need support, please, reach out to us and we will try our best to figure out a way to help