A CHARITY in County Durham has teamed up with a solicitor to offer transgender young people much-needed support to change their names.

Youngsters fighting to establish their identities have been able to change their names for free thanks to the Newton Aycliffe-based gender identity service DISC and Newcastle lawyer Cris Curley.

A partner at Ben Hoare Bell, Ms Curley has so far enabled 15 people to change their names by deed poll - saving them from what could have been considerable legal costs.

Billijean Summerbell, a DISC team leader for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) services, said: “Changing your name is such a big step and it gives people who are trans so much self-confidence.

"If they open a bank account or have to present ID in any situation, it can be excruciating if your name does not match your gender identity.

“With their names changed, our service users can really begin to blossom in life and not feel they’re one step away from a course word or nasty look or some other, even violent, humiliation.”

Cauley Jefferson, a DISC service user from Middlesbrough, who is transgender, is one of those to have benefitted from the support of the partnership.

After completing his own name change at Ben Hoare Bell solicitors in Byker, Newcastle, he said: “It feels really good. It is difficult, especially meeting new people, trying to be identified as male and then having to give a female name - it’s a bit of a confidence knock.”

DISC helps people making name changes through the process.

The organisation first paired up with Ben Hoare Bell at the Northern Pride Events four years ago and for the past three years the solicitors' firm has provided legal services relating to name changes for DISC users.

In 2014 Ms McCurley introduced herself to Ms Summerbell as a keen advocate of LGBT rights.

“I am happy to be in a position to help these young transgender people," said Ms McCurley. "Changing their given name is crucial. But it’s also daunting and can be complex and costly."

Ms Summerbell added: “Cris is a really warm person who treats everyone with genuine respect. Young people are just skipping when they know she’s sorted out all the legal stuff to make it happen.

"They hug her and it’s a magical, life changing moment for them.”