Eleven year old Ronaldo and his two daddies travelled from the West Country for Ronaldo to experience the Pride community parade, enjoy the Access facilities on Preston Park and see his idols the Pet Shop Boys perform on the main stage.
Seán, Ronaldo and Bosco in the Access Tent at Preston Park
Dear Accessibility Matters,
We just wanted to say a huge thank you for all the work you did and the help you gave us leading up to Brighton Pride and on the day itself. You were so welcoming and helpful, and we were really impressed with all you did to make the event so accessible and enjoyable for us all.
We had a great day, and big thank you especially for arranging for Ronaldo to travel on the golf cart for the parade. What an experience for him, and he’s already talking about going back next year. The festival was brilliant, and it was great to have the access tent to chill out and recharge our batteries (and literally Ronaldo’s chair!).
Thanks you for also for arranging for a parking space, which was invaluable.
Congratulations for the work you do and everything you achieved. We’ll be in touch again once tickets are released for 2018.
Hoping you have a few days to rest after the madness!
Lunch Positive, the local HIV charity that provides a weekly HIV lunch club hosted a Community Café at Brighton Pride, on Saturday, August 5.
This was the sixth year Lunch Positive have provided the café, which was situated in the Community Village on Preston Park.
The café was delivered by a team of twenty-six volunteers, with another seventeen involved in preparing for the event. Over 400 voluntary hours in total were donated.
Volunteers came from the lunch club membership, the charity’s volunteer team and trustees, together with friends and supporters. The café served a range of affordable hot and cold and drinks.
Over a thousand people were served, raising a record total of £4,465 in sales. After the cost of staging the community cafe have been deducted, all proceeds will go towards running the HIV lunch club over the year ahead.
Gary Pargeter
Gary Pargeter, Service Manager, said: “This year’s Pride was a wonderful and spectacular event throughout. We’re so grateful to actively be part of such an important community event, and one which raises valuable funds for our local community groups.
“Pride C.I.C. have been a great supporter, and it never ceases to amaze how the hugely complex plans for the whole event come together so successfully, all through the hard work and commitment of the Pride teams and volunteers.
We’re so grateful to everyone who supported the Community Café, customers, people who helped spread the news of our participation, and all the well-wishers we met on the day, and have since. Our café volunteer team was absolutely fantastic, working amazingly hard, giving so much to a cause they support, and of course giving up their valuable time on such a unique day of celebration.”
Comments from volunteers included:“It was a great day, I am so happy and proud to have been a part of the team”, “It was an honour to be part of this fantastic group”, and “What a privilege and pleasure to work alongside such an amazing team today in the park – you’re all awesome!”
Gary continued:“This is such a real example of self-empowerment and commitment to community, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us and helped make this happen. Thank you all!”
The award winning rescue documentary Lion Ark – the story of the dramatic rescue of twenty five lions from circuses in Bolivia – returns to London for a free screening at the Royal Horticultural Halls this Saturday, August 19.
The acclaimed film, which will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and rescue team leaders, forms part of This is our world, a charity event raising awareness about wildlife and conservation through a unique collection of life-size paintings and series of talks.
More action adventure than traditional documentary, Lion Ark follows the story of how a shocking exposé led to Bolivia banning animal circuses. Circuses defy the law but are tracked down by Animal Defenders International (ADI), animals saved and a joyous finale sees 25 lions airlifted to freedom.
Lion Ark Director Tim Phillips said: “We wanted people to experience a frontline animal rescue, both the challenges and the joy. The film tackles a serious issue, but is exciting and leaves people with a smile on their face, knowing they can make a difference as they see the lives of these animals transform.”
Prior to the screening on Saturday, August 19, filmmakers and rescue team leaders Jan Creamer and Tim Phillips will also talk about the latest rescue – Operation Spirit of Freedom – where over 100 wild animals were saved from circuses and the illegal wildlife trade in Peru and Colombia. This culminated in a massive airlift of more than 30 lions, from South American circuses, home to Africa. The talk titled “Operation Spirit of Freedom – saving Peru’s circus animals”will be held from 2-4pm.
Event: Screening of Lion Ark
Where: Royal Horticultural Hall, 80 Vincent Square, Westminster, London SW1P 2PE
If you could walk over hot coals for charity, then sign up to MindOut’s sponsored Fire Walk on September 30.
Perform this unique mind-over-matter experience while fundraising for MindOut, the LGBTQ Mental health Service at the same time!
Fearless fundraisers can accept the challenge of walking 15-20ft over the soft, smouldering hot coals at 550 degrees celsius! Hard to believe but it’s perfectly safe.
The Fire Walk is organised by UK Fire Walk, a leading Fire Walk company and all fire walkers will receive an hour-long training session just prior to the event from Scott Bell who is the twice Guinness World Record holder for the Greatest Fire Walking Distance by walking 328 feet on burning coals..
Helen Jones
Helen Jones, MindOut CEO, said:“this is an excellent opportunity to raise much-needed funds for our vital work supporting LGBTQ people with mental health, we are more in demand than ever, we really appreciate all the help you can give us. Doing a Fire Walk is a great way to challenge yourself, have some fun and support a very good cause”.
Register now as this is a popular event and places are limited!
Registration is £25 per person and you will be expected to raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship for MindOut. Participants must be 16 years old to enter.
Sign up and challenge yourself, walk on fire, bring your friends and enjoy a thrilling evening while raising funds for LGBTQ mental health charity MindOut!
We just want to say a massive thank you for the support we received from Accessibility Matters and the Access Team at Brighton Pride, who demonstrated excellent organisation skills in making our day very special.
To not put too fine a point on it, I was in a right old mess wondering how it was all going to work – but we couldn’t have engaged and enjoyed the festival and community parade more.
This was down to the safety net that was provided through the support of Accessibility Matters. Although I did not venture out of the access tent until later in the afternoon once I had built up the courage, I knew I had a haven to return to and the staff and volunteers were all friendly and informed.
So well done to the team and particularly to the style in which access and safety was delivered. Relaxed but supportive. Nothing seemed too much trouble or we were made to feel particularly ‘additional needs’.
Can’t wait until next year – but don’t think about that just yet. I’m sure you need a good lie down after the weekend!
Thank you, Marie-Luiza, Anoushka, Rupin and Kaian J
“I lost a very good friend, but HIV doesn’t have to stop you living a long and healthy life – as long as you get tested and treated”.
Beverley Knight is on a mission to end HIV stigma as a new Patron of Terrence Higgins Trust (THT).
British soul singer and actress, Beverley Knight MBE, has been announced as a Patron of the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, THT.
A vocal supporter of HIV awareness and the work of THT following the passing of her close friend from an AIDS-related illness, Beverley will use her role to help end HIV transmission and to support people to live well with HIV in the UK.
Beverley said:“I lost a very good friend, Tyrone, in 2003 from an AIDS-related illness, and that loss still affects me very deeply now.
“Tyrone leaned on Terrence Higgins Trust quite heavily because of his own HIV status, and he’s the person that brought the charity and their great work to my attention.
“Today, HIV is not the death sentence it once was. Treatment works very effectively, meaning people who are HIV positive can live very long, very happy and very fulfilled lives – but as long as they know they have HIV and have treatment, and that’s the key.”
Beverley, whose latest album, Soulsville, features the song When I See You Again inspired by her late friend Tyrone, has spoken out publicly about the impact of HIV stigma and how it can put people off testing for the virus.
“I think the main challenge around HIV is stigma – stigma is terrible,” she added. “It’s a real problem because until we get past the stigma we can’t get people to admit to themselves that they could or do have the virus, and therefore need to have a test and get effective treatment.
“Some people just don’t think it will ever happen to them, so that’s why HIV awareness needs to be at the forefront of people’s minds now more than ever.”
With 1 in 7 people living with HIV unaware they have it, testing early for the virus is vital to getting people onto effective treatment to ensure they are healthy, and to stop them passing on the virus to others.
Beverley added:“I hope that there is enough passion and experience in what I say, so when I speak about HIV people will listen. I want to rouse people from their slumber and get them to face the reality of HIV head on instead of putting their heads in the sand.”
Ian Green
Ian Green, CEO of THT, said:“We are honoured to welcome Beverley Knight as a patron of Terrence Higgins Trust.
“Beverley has been a long standing supporter of the charity and has passionately campaigned to help stop HIV stigma and to ensure people with HIV live healthy and long lives.
“We are truly grateful for the unique contribution Beverley makes to people living with HIV, and we’re looking forward to continuing our work together as we aim to bring an end to HIV transmissions and to stigma.”
Lord Cashman CBE and Lord Black of Brentwood were also announced earlier this years as new Patrons of the charity, joining an eclectic group of current Patrons including Stephen Fry, Tracey Emin and Dame Judi Dench.
There are currently over 100,000 people living with HIV in the UK. Today, advances in HIV medication mean that people with the virus can live long and healthy lives, however the devastating impact of stigma cannot be underestimated.
Recent YouGov surveys by THT show that attitudes to HIV are outdated. 30% of British adults believe you can get HIV from sharing a toothbrush, while 40% would be uncomfortable going on a date with someone living with HIV on effective treatment. Only 9% were aware that people on effective HIV treatment cannot pass it on.
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