“Kaz was providing training for CFT a little while ago and I went along.
Really good presenter with an informative easy style of sharing info. Nice guy
who I am hoping to work with in some capacity in the future. "May 13, 2012

Myfanwy Mitchell, Mental Health Day resource Manager, Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust worked with Kazimierz Hawthorne Neumann at Cornwall Transgender Support and Resource.

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"Gender Reassignment is not for the faint hearted and is the single biggest change anyone can undergo in their life time. However, In Kaz’s case his journey could almost be described as a DIY Gender Reassignment – as most medical and psychological health care professionals in Cornwall are simply not yet trained to deal with the complex needs of patients presenting with Gender Dysphoria. I actually witnessed Kaz’s incredible hardship caused by ignorance, neglect and total lack of adequate Transgender Care Provision in our county.

Kaz’s self-empowerment can only be likened to the ‘rise of the phoenix from the ashes.’
With the single focus and sheer determination to improve the life experience of all Transgender individuals, Kaz has successfully completed numerous training courses and is currently studying to become a BACP registered Person Centred Counsellor.

In December 2010  totally without funds, Kaz founded and launched CTSAR, Cornwall’s first independent Trans Facilitated ’dedicated’ Transgender Organisation, specialising in FTM/MTF Transsexual related issues. His vision was to fill the gap in the county for specialised Transgender Support. He managed after 3 months to secure a very small amount of ‘one off’ funding from Cornwall and IOS NHS Primary Care Trust and a little more in the form of a grant from Cornwall Mental Health Project – other than this Kaz uses his own innovative skills to fundraise just to keep CTSAR going.

CTSAR is a non-profit, Community organisation facilitated by Kaz who is also now a retired Chairman of SWTEN/South West Transgender Equality Network and a retired Director of Equality South West.

The host of services CTSAR provides helps to fulfil its mission which is to ‘raise’ Trans Awareness and reduce isolation. Since the formation of CTSAR Kaz has worked with all sectors engaging in specialised Policy Consultation, advising and signposting as well as providing Transgender ‘Awareness’ Training. 
 
All of Kaz’s work is done on a voluntary and basis, and whilst his work constitutes the healing of his own past, I have seen positive proof that his dedication serves the greater good of all of those people who identify as Transgender. 

Kaz has been described as a Trailblazer and Pioneer in his field, I agree. He is an assertive and mindful man, with a very gentle, warm and compassionate disposition. Any genuine encounter with Kaz will leave you feeling acknowledged, enriched and encouraged to be more able to face your challenges."


Kerstin Weber – Owner of SimplyUnwind
Aug 2012 
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As a result of his own Gender Reassignment being met with ignorance and unhelpful 'barriers' in our county, Kaz Neumann made it his 'life’s work' to raise Transgender Awareness in Cornwall. He does this to draw attention to the issues faced by the Transgender community and reduce isolation.

There seems to be this idea that changing gender is a 'choice' – well, the only way it can be called a 'choice' is that Transgender individuals are 'choosing' to live and to finally be true to themselves.

Gender Reassignment is the biggest change anyone can ever go through in their lives and its when you could really do with some understanding and helpful support –  we still face negativity when people including friends, family, colleagues turn away from us or when service providers are unhelpful due to lack of understanding or appropriate training.

I used to struggle to find any kind of information and I didn’t know where to turn. I didn't even know the words to really describe how I feel, it was very difficult to know where to look.

Mr Neumann has helped and supported me on a totally voluntary basis for well over 18 months so far. He suggested useful websites for me to look at which was particularly helpful, he explained about the required name change and 'Real Life Experience' period and how to start the 'referral process' and he explained it all to my doctor and psychiatrist too.

I deeply value Mr Neumann’s ongoing support at appointments because it reduces my confusion due to my severe Dyslexia (I have had to ask someone else that I trust and that understands me, to help write this.) Mr Neumann is indispensable, he takes such time and patience to source and explain information which I would otherwise simply not have found accessible or fully understood.

I particularly value his advocacy support as well as his 'moral support.' This was so important to me when facing numerous delays to my 'transition' or when faced with lack of empathy, professional competency or support.

 I feel the biggest support that I received from Mr Neumann came during my time of experiencing a huge set back. A letter from the Gender Identity Clinic said that I wouldn't be able to continue treatment for an unspecified time frame – Mr Neumann stepped in and argued my case as he knew they were being discriminatory and non inclusive, my treatment recommenced shortly his intervention. The effort, time and energy Mr Neumann put in to support me during this very difficult time, was literally a massive 'life saver.'

It is invaluable for me to feel able to email or talk to someone who understands what I am going through.

Through CTSAR/Cornwall Transgender Support and Resource, founded and facilitated Mr Kaz Neumann you can get free and totally confidential one-on-one email, text and telephone support, Peer Advocacy and Mediation if you are Trans - your partners/significant others, friends and families can get support too. 'Outreach' support can also be arranged at a pre agreed cost to service user.

Anon - CTSAR Service User.
Sept 2012.

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CTSAR Plus has been invaluable in giving me both practical and emotional advice and support at a time when my gender identity is very uncertain. Kaz has responded to my e-mails in a way that is warm, understanding and informative, his perception and experience have helped me to explore my gender confusion in a way that feels safe and respectful. I feel more hopeful that I can accept my gender and also more aware of the options available if I can’t. Most importantly the contact with Kaz has helped me to realise I’m not alone and that gender doesn’t have to be so black and white. Thank you CTSAR Plus.

L.E.E. - CTSAR Plus Service User
July 2015.

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My situation is, like many others, complicated and difficult for me to understand and deal with.

Being able to talk with Kaz via email has made a tremendous difference to my life and given me hope. He has given friendly advice and been a positive voice when I felt alone.

CTSAR Plus is a wonderfull resource and gateway to much information and many services.

Mr Kazimierz Hawthorne Neumann's CTSAR Plus deserves all the support it can get.

Thank you Kaz,

Stephanie - CTSAR Plus Service User. 2016

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To whomever it may concern:
 
This is a testimonial for Mr K Neumann who founded and runs CTSAR Plus.
 
Kaz Neumann is a good friend of mine and has been for many years.  In October 2013 I had my first stage of a three stage virilising genital reconstruction surgery, otherwise known as phalloplasty – a seriously demanding surgery.  Kaz supported me throughout this surgery, in practical ways that eased my journey, worries and recovery.  It is important to say that he also eased the worries of my family as they know Kaz, and were reassured that at the times when I left the hospital I had somebody there – his support was invaluable and it went along a timetable like this –
 
October 2013 – After the first stage of my surgery and 6 days in hospital in Slough, Kaz came from his home in Somerset and stayed overnight in a local hotel so that he could collect me from the hospital the next day.  He picked me up and drove me back to his own home where he and his partner did everything they could to support me and take good care of me overnight, where I was picked up by my parents and taken to my own home the following day.  As well as driving for 3 hours Kaz and his partner prepared a room for me, fed me and checked on me throughout the night.  I felt safe and cared for at a very tentative and vulnerable time in my life.
 
March 2014 – At this time I went into hospital in Central London and underwent the second stage of my phalloplasty surgery – Kaz again travelled to London and booked and paid for a room in a hotel.  He again came to the hospital to pick me up, took me to the hotel, made sure I had eaten and stayed with me through the night – he even had to go out and buy nappies that we could modify as dressings, as the dressings I left the hospital with were inappropriate.  The following day Kaz organised a Taxi to Gatwick airport where he accompanied me and made sure I was safe to fly home before he embarked on his own long journey home.
 
August 2014 – At this time I had the final stage of my surgery.  This part of the surgery requires a week long stay in London, not in hospital but nearby.  Kaz organised and fully funded a week in a hotel, where he stayed with me for the duration.  Again, he picked me up from the hospital, got me to the hotel and provided care and sustenance for the duration.  He also took me back to the hospital for my final appointment and again made sure I was safely on my way to Gatwick airport to fly home before embarking on his own long journey home.
 
The support that I had from Kaz in his role as  Founder/Facilitator of CTSAR Plus, and as my friend was truly humbling and invaluable in terms of my safety, well being and recovery.  He also (probably without knowing) supported my family, manifesting in a reassurance that I was not alone, which I know was invaluable for them.  My family made a small donation to CTSAR Plus which I know went nowhere near covering his or my expenses.  But in this case, for me, Kaz’s expenses, though fundamental, were a very small part of his contribution to my health and well being.  Again, both in his role as CTSAR Plus and as my friend Kaz gave up his time and resources without question.  His supporting my journey involved him being away from home, long journeys and also involved him spending a lot of time with me at my most vulnerable – not easy.   So it is important to acknowledge the support that I got by proxy from his own family home – Kaz supported me, and I know that his partner supported him.  No professional or medical body supported CTSAR Plus or Kaz, or his partner in any way for their contribution to my care.  Kaz, I could have done this without you, but without a single doubt in my mind my surgical journey would have been extremely lonely, miserable and unsafe. 
 
Mate, thank you to you, and yours and CTSAR Plus.  You will never know how much.

C xx. - CTSAR Plus Service User 2016.
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Testimonial

I work as an Approved Mental Health Professional/Care Coordinator in a community mental health team – Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and was working with a lady who disclosed that she neither felt male or female. I had never heard of this and so in response I set about trying to find advice from someone who may have.

I undertook a Google search which is where I found CTSAR Plus and which led me to blindly contact them. I was contacted by Kaz Neumann who informed me that what my service user was describing is known as Gender Dysphoria with a ‘Non Binary’ identity expression and he proceeded to send me relevant literature to share with my service user and her Psychiatrist. He also offered for me to pass on his number to my service user should she wish to contact him to discuss.

The information that was provided was not only helpful to me as a professional but has been life changing for my service user. Previously she had been told by numerous professionals that she suffered with body dysmorphic diagnosis (BDD) which she did not agree with. She had also been refused treatment on the back of this diagnosis.

Thanks to the help of Kaz Neumann/CTSAR Plus, she is now on a waiting list to be assessed by The Laurels Exeter Specialist Gender Identity Clinic.

Many Thanks for Your Help.

Lynn Timmins
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
01 August 2016