I'm a low hours PPL(H) and have spoken with East Midlands a couple of time in the last fortnight; once flying Sywell -> Alton Towers
and once Sywell -> Tamworth.
In both cases I was transiting
under their airspace rather than through, but they were absolutely great - advising on traffic in the vicinity and advising on onward RT.
Go for it ... I was worried beforehand but it went well and is great experience to have behind me.
RC