Brighton GEMS (Gay Elderly Men’s Society) are looking for new committee members after announcing a period of restructuring.
Current chair, Robert Douglas – who has been with the group for 12 years, three years as chair – has decided to step down from the post this month. He believes that now is the time for change and for someone else to take the group forward. Robert will be staying on the management committee for a while though in the new role of Chief Advisor to the Chair.
The group was formed in 1997 and five years ago received the Queens Award for Voluntary Service to the Community. Brighton GEMS hold a series of events every month ranging from meals at local venues to playing ten pin bowling and going on theatre trips. Future plans include forging closer links with other groups in the area and holding larger events.
The group is looking for new committee members, especially a treasurer to help move the organisation forward.
The new committee will be voted in at a Special General meeting to be held at the Dorset Methodist Church Hall in Dorset Gardens on Friday, June 24 from 7pm.
Those wishing to be considered for the committee should email committee member Stephen Ashfield by June 17 or telephone him on 07561 166 407.
5 Guys Chillin’, written and directed by Peter Darney, is a graphic, gripping, funny and frank verbatim drama exposing the gay chem-sex, chill-out scene.
From surgeons to students, couples to kink; guys that love it and lost guys longing to be loved. 5 Guys Chillin’ takes an original look into a drug-fuelled, hedonistic, highly secret world of Grindr, and instant gratification.
Following tonights performance at the Warren there will be a question and answer session with Dave Stuart from 56 Dean St, the sexual health and HIV clinic based in Soho, London to talk about issues facing the MSM (men who have sex with men) community, particularly Chem-Sex, Intimacy and Addiction?
The show is at 9:30pm at the Warren – and the talk will follow straight afterwards.
For more information and how to book tickets, click here:
NHS England confirms decision not to fund PrEP following a meeting of its Specialised Services Commissioning Committee on May 31. 2016.
On March 21, NHS England made the surprise announcement that despite having met with a reference group including representatives of local authorities for the previous 18 months, they would not be making PrEP available on prescription. A planned consultation agreed by the reference group was cancelled furthermore NHS England considered it was the responsibility of local authorities to finance the prescribing of the drug if it was to be made available, something never discussed at the reference group.
PrEP is a way of using anti-retroviral drugs – usually used for treating people with diagnosed HIV-to stop viral transmission. Evidence of effectiveness is strongest for men who do not use condoms in sex with multiple male partners.
Following representations from stakeholder groups and threats of legal action NHS England agreed to revisit their decision which they did on May 31 at the Specialised Services Commissioning Committee, when the committee effectively stood by its original decision.
Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE
Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, London Councils’ Executive member for health, said: “We are disappointed that the urgent representations made by London Councils and our health partners about the importance of PrEP have been ignored. In London rates of HIV transmission remain high and it is worrying to see NHS England turn its back on a drug that focuses on prevention to address one of the capital’s most significant public health concerns.
“There has already been extensive testing of PrEP which shows that 86 per cent of those at risk who take the drug are protected from contracting HIV. More testing is not needed and only funding a limited number of test sites with £1 million per year over two years will be nowhere near enough to treat the number of people who need PrEP. The question of what happens to those 500 people given the drug after the two-year period is over remains a worrying concern.
“NHS England is playing a waiting game until the PrEP drug comes off patent in 2018 and London Councils and our health partners do not believe it is acceptable to let any more Londoners contract HIV while we wait.”
A study on the effectiveness of PrEP called the PROUD study was published in the Lancet in January 2016, based on a randomised trial in 13 sexual health clinics in England.
It showed that in 86 per cent of cases PrEP can prevent HIV.
In November 2015, France became the first country outside the USA, and the first country with a centrally organised, reimbursable health system, to approve no-expense pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for people who need it.
Martlets Hospice in Hove, calls on people from Brighton and Hove to make a real difference to the lives of local families by donating their time.
Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1-12, highlights the importance to the UK of over 21 million people who help charities every year.
Over 500 volunteers play an essential part in the smooth running of Martlets and its shops. They are the caring face at the reception desk, the person who supplies the essential cups of tea, people who do important administrative work, gardeners who keep the grounds beautiful, visitors to patients in the community and much more.
Marten Kail, who works in the Hospice’s London Road shop, said:“I guess my reason for volunteering for Martlets is no different to many people; I had a close friend with cancer who was cared for by the Hospice. I visited her on the day she died and saw how she was treated by the team with such respect and dignity; I’ve never forgotten the way that she was looked after.
“So I decided to give something back to the Hospice. I have to say that it really is the highlight of my week, it’s so nice to do something different with my time; in fact it’s a breath of fresh air.
“I do everything from making the tea, lugging furniture around, odd bits of DIY, serving customers and pricing clothes. You name it, I do it!
“It’s quite astounding how many of our customers have a link or connection to the Hospice and it’s a real privilege to hear their stories.
“It makes you realise just how many lives Martlets touches.”
Emma Seymour
Emma Seymour, head of Volunteering explained:“I want to thank each and every one of our wonderful Volunteers, they are the backbone of our work at the Hospice.
“Nationally, volunteers contribute an estimated £23.9bn to the UK economy; they really are the unsung heroes of our communities and Volunteers’ Week is all about telling everyone how much we value them.
“We’re always looking for volunteers; your life experience, skills and knowledge are absolutely vital to us.
“There are many different ways that you can support the Hospice by giving a little time; whether it’s a few hours or a day each week or perhaps helping out with a specific project.
“You’ll make a real difference to people’s lives, learn new skills, have fun and make new friends. It’s a very rewarding way to spend your free time.”
The Devon-based social enterprise Proud2Be has been nominated for the LGBT Community Organisation Award at The 2016 National Diversity Awards.
The award ceremony celebrates some of the excellent and inspiring achievements of positive role models and community organisations from across the UK recognising nominees in their respective fields of diversity including age, disability, gender, race, faith, religion and sexual orientation.
Proud2Be, a social enterprise that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans &/or questioning+ (LGBTQ+) people, their families and friends, in Devon and beyond began in June 2011, when founders, Jon & Mat Price, recorded a short video explaining how they are both “proud to be gay”.
Since then a number of public figures have contributed to the Proud2Be Campaign, including Christine Burns MBE, Andrew Solomon, Stephen Fry, Peter Tatchell and Michael Cashman CBE.
Proud2Be holds a number of events in South Devon including an adult social group, craft days, fundraiser discos, volunteer residentials and Totnes Pride.
Proud2Be have also named as its patrons, award-winning human rights activist Aderonke Apata, international bestselling author Andrew Solomon, classical musician and activist CN Lester, human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, and retired political trans activist Christine Burns MBE.
Jon and Mat Price
Founders Jon and Mat said:“We are thrilled that we have been nominated for a national diversity award, particularly as it recognises Proud2Be as a community organisation. We have spent the last five years working alongside our wonderfully diverse and vibrant community and it has been a pleasure to see so many people come together and support one another in the face of adversity. Thank you to all who have voted for us and to all those who continue to support us!”
The National Diversity Awards 2016 will be held in Liverpool on September 16.
The prestigious black-tie event has also gained support from a number of celebrities including Stephen Fry, Lenny Henry and Ade Adeptian.
Tom Daley
Olympic Diver Tom Daley, said:“The National Diversity Awards is a true celebration. A celebration of role models and community organisations who are having a huge impact on people lives. Everybody who has been nominated and shortlisted is striving towards making society better for everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, faith, religion, sexual orientation or disability. I would like to wish all the shortlisted nominees the very best of luck at this year’s National Diversity Awards”.
Last year, The National Diversity Awards received over 20,000 nominations.
Paul Sesay, CEO of the Awards, said:“It is an honour to witness the extraordinary journeys of Britain’s unsung diversity heroes, and we will continue to recognise their extraordinary achievements during 2016. I know another fantastic spectacle of role models will be delivered and recognised this year”.
Nominations are still open and close June 20th 2016. Shortlisted nominees will be announced shortly afterwards.
Volunteers Week extended by five days to celebrate the Queens Birthday.
Today, (June 1), is the start of Volunteers Week, Big Celebration which this year runs till June 12.
Events will be taking place across the UK from June 1-12 to mark Volunteers’ Week, which this year is running for an extra five days to coincide with the Queen’s Patron’s Lunch on June 12.
Over 21 million people volunteer in the UK at least once a year contributing an estimated £23.9bn to the UK economy.
These 21 million people are a shining example of how everyone can daily make a big difference to the lives of individuals and communities from improving the environment we live in, spending time with those who may otherwise be lonely and contributing to a range of other essential services and support.
Such major contributions are worth a big celebration!
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has joined local charities to thank the hard work of local volunteers.
He said:“There are many voluntary organisations in Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven and they all rely on the dedication, commitment and energy of their volunteers. The work that volunteers do is vital and a week such as this is a great opportunity to honour them.”
Karl Wildings
Karl Wilding, Director of Public Policy and Volunteering at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which coordinates Volunteers’ Week in England, added: “Volunteers’ Week is always a fantastic opportunity for a big celebration of the great work of volunteers across the UK. This year’s longer event, culminating with the Patron’s Lunch on the Mall, will allow even more people to take part in this special thank you to those who give up their time in the service of others.
“Millions of volunteers make a huge difference to our society, and our lives would be worse without them. It is great to see that doing good to help other people is alive and well in this country. Whether they are running sports clubs, providing services for those in need or spending time with people at risk of loneliness, the UK’s volunteers are an inspiration for us all and it’s important we recognise them.”
This year the end of Volunteers’ Week will coincide with the Patron’s Lunch on June 12, a celebration of the Queen’s lifetime of service to more than 600 charities and organisations to which she acts as a Patron, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. Communities across the UK have been encouraged to participate by holding their own street party or event.
Brighton GEMS (Gay Elderly Men’s Society) are looking for new committee members after announcing a period of restructuring.
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