Gender Identity Fund

The Cardiff Students’ Union Gender Identity Fund was an idea initiated by Student Senate in 2023, it called for the creation of a fund which could be accessed by transgender students for gender affirming items. The idea behind this is to aid those in the process of getting longer term support and care, by financing the purchase of items which can assuage gender dysphoria in the short term. 

How do I access the fund?

In order to access the Cardiff Students’ Union Gender Identity Fund, a student must apply through the application form here. 

You will be asked for the details of the item you wish to purchase and we will assess how much can be allocated. For larger bids, money may be put toward the item but not cover it in entirety due to the financial limitations of the fund. Once approved we will be baqck in touch with you to arrange the transfer for money. 

Money will then be sent to you in order to personally purchase the item, you will also be able to order it to the Students’ Union if you do not feel comfortable ordering the item to where you are currently living. We will ask for a receipt of purchase to validate the money is being used appropriately, but this is not mandatory.  

What is the fund for?

This is a fund used for items which you cannot afford, or which may put you in financial hardship if you were to purchase them, while we cannot check what you spend the money on we want to remind students that this fund is operated on a good will principle, many will need access to it and misappropriation may prevent others getting access to items they require.  

If you’re unsure as to the specifics of an item you require, the Gender Kit site has advice on a wide range of gender affirming items and care support.  

This fund is designed as a single use tool for those in specific need, but in exceptional circumstances we may be able to aid an individual more than once, this will be assessed by the amount in the fund and the circumstances of a second bid for funding.  

Example items this fund is designed for: 

• Transport to and from gender clinics, 
• Packers, 
• Binders, 
• Tucking underwear, 
• Stand to pee devices, 
• Breast forms 

Examples of what this fund is not designed for: 

• Long term support or surgery, 
• Items or support not directly linked to issues of gender dysphoria or identity. (IE groceries, meals out after a gender clinic session, literature) 
• Both short- and long-term medication or hormone treatment.  

This fund is subject to external funding, and so will likely not be a permanently available fund to students, we will strive to keep it open for as long as possible, however. 

Help and Support

If you’d like any more support or information on help provided by the Students’ Union, the University or local charities and support groups, information can be found on our page on trans and nonbinary students, at the Cardiff University Trans Policy page, or on the TransAid Cymru website.