menu

Brilliant Brighton’s Christmas Lights are Switched-On Actually!

Christmas has well and truly arrived in Brighton as the city’s Christmas lights are now turned on!

HUNDREDS of festive party-goers got into the feel-good spirit on Thursday, November 15, as the annual Christmas lights switch-on took place on East Street.

The event organised by Brilliant Brighton (formed of 517 city centre businesses who collectively pay the £75,000 cost to light up Brighton at Christmas) was in association with Capital Brighton the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and sponsored by Legal & General.

The free festive party, compered by Dave and Miranda from Capital Brighton’s Breakfast Show, saw some of Brighton’s best talent perform, welcoming in the festive season in true style.

Vintage-inspired swing group, Hit the Silk serenaded the crowd with their toe-tapping tunes, Actually Gay Men’s Chorus performed rousing a cappella Christmas carols and Brighton buskers Ren and Sam Tompkins wowed the crowds with their fresh takes on chart classics.

17-year-old singer-songwriter Jack Rose (who has just finished supporting Faith Evans on her UK tour and is also the host of Amazon TV series Ghost Hunting With Jack Rose), also took to the stage adding further festive cheer.

The all-important job of counting down and switching the lights on went to inspiring 15-year-old fundraiser Jake Heal from Hove (who, despite having the rare genetic Prader-Willi Syndrome, has raised over £4,000 for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity by taking part in their i360 iDrop Abseil), accompanied by Rockinghorse trustee and CBeebies presenter Sid Sloane and Santa Claus.

The event also featured a fundraising giveaway for Rockinghorse Children’s Charity with prizes including a three course meal for two from Terre a Terre, deluxe hampers from Marks and Spencer, a lunch for two with Prosecco from Sugardough and gift vouchers from Punktured, Donatello, Rieker, Phase Eight and Ann Summers all being won.

Gavin Stewart
Gavin Stewart

Gavin Stewart, CEO of Brilliant Brighton said: “We love organising the Christmas lights-switch on and it was brilliant to see so many people celebrating the start of the festive season with us.” 

“Thank you to Capital Brighton and Rockinghorse for helping us to host the community Christmas event, as well as our Christmas lights sponsor, Legal & General for assisting us to light up the city for locals and visitors to enjoy during the festive period.”

As well as sponsoring the city’s Christmas lights, Legal & General also support Brilliant Brighton’s late night shopping event on Thursday, December 13, which sees 500+ city centre shops, restaurants and cafes stay open ‘till 8pm – with plenty of entertainment, in-store events and offers to make picking up those last few presents a truly enjoyable experience.

Photo by Jamie MacMillan

 

1 in 8 adoptions in England are now to same-sex couples

New statistics reveal record proportion of adoptions by LGBT+ people in 2018.

1 in 8 adoptions in England in 2018 were to same-sex couples, statistics released November 15 show. The new figures from the Department for Education reveal that of the 3,820 adoptions in England this year, 450 – 1 in 8, or 12 per cent – were to same-sex couples. This is the highest proportion in England since records began.

The total number of adoptions has fallen by almost 30 per cent since 2015, despite the number of children in local authority care reaching a ten-year high of 75,420. However, the number of adoptions by same-sex couples has remained over 400 each year since 2015.

Tor Docherty
Tor Docherty

Tor Docherty, Chief Executive of New Family Social, said: “LGBT+ people can bring fantastic parenting skills to their adopted children. We’re thrilled to see agencies consistently recognising that LGBT+ people pay a key role in helping transform the lives of our most vulnerable children.”

In 2017, New Family Social – the peer support charity for LGBT+ adopters and foster carers – trained some 200 adoption social workers as part of a Department for Education funded project to improve LGBT+ people’s experiences of applying to adopt, going through the process and parenting as adopters.

For more information on adopting or fostering if your LGBT+, click here:

 

“Biggest scandal of our times”

Adoption UK (AUK’s) chief executive describes rising figures for children in care figures as “biggest scandal of our times”.

AUK is deeply concerned that the numbers of children in care continues to grow, following the publication of the government’s latest statistics.

The number of children in care after being removed from their parents because they were at risk of abuse or neglect rose again this year, amid concerns over the impact of austerity cuts and poverty on vulnerable families.

The latest official figures reveal there were 75,420 looked-after children in England at the end of March, up 4% on the previous year. The number has increased steadily every year since 2008, when the total was about 60,000. They also reveal that abuse or neglect was the primary need for 63% of the children coming into care during the year.

Dr Sue Armstrong Brown
Dr Sue Armstrong Brown

Dr Sue Armstrong Brown, chief executive of Adoption UK, said: “The care population is rising, in part because vulnerable parents are not being adequately supported. The outrage is that today, unlike in previous generations, we’re well aware of the consequences of early childhood trauma on the life chances of the children, and the impact on those who care for them. We know we should be doing more to address their needs but this is still not happening.

“The lack of understanding and support available to some of the most vulnerable children in our society is the biggest scandal of our times.”

The Department for Education figures also show that adoption numbers fell 13% year on year to 3,820, well down from the 2015 peak of 5,360. This is in line with a fall in the number of looked after children with a placement order seen over recent years, which has almost halved from 9,590 in 2014 to 5,360 in 2018.

Special Guardianship Orders also declined in 2018 to 3,430, from 3,690 the previous year.

Dr Armstrong Brown continued: “Adoption, when it’s the most appropriate option for a child in care, can offer the best chance to permanently break a cycle of neglect and abuse and give a child a second chance at fulfilling their potential with the support of a loving family. But this isn’t about how many children leave care through adoption or special guardianship orders. The bigger picture that these figures paint is one of more families under pressure, more children in care, and deeply concerning outcomes for these children, regardless of their care plan.

“This comes on the heels of report-after-report on the damage that the deep cuts to children’s services are causing. A growing care population also eats into council’s limited budgets, with little left over to provide the help and support these children and their families desperately need to recover from early childhood trauma. We know this is a factor in the reducing numbers of adopters coming forward, with the tragic consequence that there has been a 6% increase in the number of children (2,760) with an adoption plan who had not found their forever home at 31 March 2018 , and others face placement breakdowns or years of struggle in their new homes.   

“We simply must decide, as a society, to do a better job of supporting vulnerable families.”

Adoption UK believes the falls in adoption are linked to both the impact of the September 2013 Re B-S judgement – which indicated that local authorities need to show the courts that all alternatives to adoption were considered before seeking an adoption order – and to cuts to children’s services which is directly impacting upon the number of prospective adopters coming forward.

The Re B and Re B-S rulings introduced the concept that adoption orders should only be made when – in the words of one of the judges in the Re B case – “nothing else will do”.

In the year following, adoption decisions dropped 40% and placement orders fell 45%.

Adoption UK is also concerned about the adopter shortfall after it was revealed last month that there are more than twice as many children waiting for families than there are prospective adopters.

Dr Armstrong Brown continued: “Clearly we need to do more to recruit potential adopters, whilst retaining the rigorous assessment that’s part of that process.

“More still needs to be done to recruit adoptive parents who are willing and able to provide a forever home for children with complex health needs or disabilities, as well as those from BME backgrounds and sibling groups – who are deemed harder to place. We must also ensure that lifelong support is made available for families willing to welcome a child with additional needs to ensure a successful adoption.”

PREVIEW: Alfie Ordinary’s Christmas Special is back!

Alfie Ordinary’s Christmas Special is back!

FOR one night only, get fizzy and festive and sing along to all your favourite Christmas songs, performed live!

With extra special guests Prudence Rae, Miss Disney and Denise Navidad (Rococo Chanel), it’s all the Christmas spirit you need under one roof.


Event: Alfie Ordinary’s Christmas Special

Where: The Rialto Theatre, 11 Dyke Road, Brighton, BN1 3FE

When: Thursday, December 13

Time: Door 7.30pm, show at 8pm

Cost: Tickets £10 available online or on the door

To book tickets online, click here:

For more information about Alfie, click here:

TODAY: Green Party stand in solidarity with trans communities to mark TDOR

Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance each November 20 that honours the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

THE community vigil honouring the memory of all those who have died will take place today, Sunday, November 18 at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, hosted by the Clare Project and Trans Alliance – both groups that work to support trans people.

All communities are welcome to attend and pay respects at the vigil which involves reading a list of the names of those who died from an act of anti-transgender violence in the last year.  The fully inclusive Rainbow Chorus will be attending to sing.

The memorial event is multi-faith, open and welcoming to all groups regardless of faith or non-belief. The venue is also wheelchair accessible.

Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty

Ahead of the memorial service tomorrow, Convenor of the Greens, Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty says: “This Sunday I will stand with the trans community as we come together to remember and honour those who have lost their lives to violent prejudice. In our city, between April 2017 and March 2018 there were 35 recorded hate crimes against the trans community. Although many understand our city to be a bastion of inclusion these figures attest to prejudice which is still ruining people’s lives.

“Trans Day of Remembrance highlights the horrific and unacceptable impact that transgender violence is having on our communities. We know that transphobia also takes a devastating toll on trans people’s mental health – recent figures from Stonewall remind us that 1 in 2 trans people have thought about taking their own life in the last year.

“All residents in our city, regardless of their gender, deserve to live a life safe from fear and prejudice.  In the memory of those who have lost their lives, we must continue to stamp out hate. Especially at a time when the trans community has come under renewed attack, Greens will speak out against transphobia and press for equality for our trans community.”

Councillor Mac Cafferty led the work of the council’s Trans Scrutiny Panel in 2012, which examined the needs and discrimination faced by people who identify as trans. The work led to the first health action plan to include the trans communities; a toolkit for city teachers to educate pupils about transphobia, and work with Sussex police to improve hate crime reporting.

The event is hosted by the Clare Project and Trans Alliance and everyone is welcome to attend. Arrive early to take your seat.


Event: Brighton & Hove Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

Where: Dorset Gardens Sanctuary, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton, BN2 1RL

When: Sunday, November 18

Time: 2.30 – 4pm

Prince Harry calls for HIV testing to be “completely normal and accessible”

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex calls for HIV testing to be ‘completely normal and accessible’ in a new video marking the start of this year’s National HIV Testing Week.

THE Duke of Sussex likens taking an HIV test to protecting against “viruses like cold and flu” and says: “We can be the generation to finally bring an end to HIV,” in a new video message marking National HIV Testing Week.

In the video message, The Duke says: “Taking an HIV test is something to be proud of – not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about”.

“As much as you protect yourself at this time of year from illnesses and viruses like cold and flu, you can also protect your health by taking an HIV test”.

Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, has commended The Duke’s support for tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, as it works towards the ambitious aim of getting to zero new HIV infections.

The charity added there needs to be greater focus on tackling “worryingly high rates of undiagnosed and late-stage HIV”.   

Latest statistics from Public Health England (PHE) show that around 1 in 8 people living with HIV are undiagnosed and unaware they have the virus; while more than four in ten (43%) of those newly diagnosed in 2017 were diagnosed at a late stage of HIV, which means damage to the immune system had already begun which is why regular testing and early diagnosis are key.

PHE reports that late diagnosis is associated with a ten-fold increased risk of short-term mortality.

But The Duke also said there is “something to celebrate”, with a 28% drop in new HIV diagnoses over the last two years. However, he also warned “this is no time for complacency”.

His Royal Highness, wearing a red ribbon in solidarity with all those living with HIV globally, called for testing to become “the norm” and said, “We won’t bring an end to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus until testing is seen as completely normal and accessible for everyone”.

While the latest data from PHE shows gay and bisexual men represent 53% of those living with HIV, nearly half (47%) of those living with HIV last year acquired the virus through heterosexual sex.

People aged 65 and over were more likely to be diagnosed late (61%) followed by men who contracted HIV through heterosexual sex (59%) and black African men and women (58%), which shows the importance of everyone being aware of HIV – regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity or age.

The only way to know your HIV status is to take an HIV test which is why promoting how quick and easy it is to test for HIV is the focus of National HIV Testing Week.

The Duke of Sussex has advocated for the importance of HIV testing both in the UK and globally. When he tested for HIV live on Facebook two years ago, there was a five-fold increase in orders for HIV tests from Terrence Higgins Trust.

Last year His Royal Highness marked National HIV Testing Week by visiting the charity’s pop-up shop in Hackney to give out HIV self tests to the local community, where you can test at home and get a result within just 15 minutes. He also joined the Diva Rihanna to take an HIV test to mark World AIDS Day in 2016.

Speaking in the video message, The Duke of Sussex said: “There is still too much stigma, which is stopping so many of us from getting a simple, quick and easy test. We won’t bring an end to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus until testing is seen as completely normal and accessible for everyone…

“Taking an HIV test is something to be proud of, not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Two years ago, I took a test and the whole process was actually really easy; the result came back within just a few minutes.”

He added: “It’s simple – by getting tested you are helping stop the HIV epidemic in its tracks. You are helping to save lives.

“This is such a pivotal time in the fight against HIV if we can continue to make HIV testing the norm and empower young people to take control of their sexual health, we can be the generation to finally bring an end to HIV.

“By not getting tested it could kill you. By getting tested it could save your life.”

Ian Green
Ian Green

Ian Green, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: We’re thrilled to have The Duke’s continued support for tackling HIV stigma and normalising testing, ahead of what we hope will be the most successful National HIV Testing Week ever.

“As His Royal Highness says, we protect ourselves from cold and flu at this time of year – so let’s protect ourselves against HIV by getting tested and knowing our status. It’s an ambitious aim, but we have a real opportunity to get to zero new HIV infections in the UK.

“While we’ve seen impressive declines in new HIV diagnoses over the past two years, much more needs to be done to drive down rates of undiagnosed and late-stage HIV. That’s why National HIV Testing Week and His Royal Highness’s support are so important.

“When it comes to HIV, the earlier you’re diagnosed, the better it is for your health. That’s because effective treatment shrinks the virus in the blood to undetectable levels, which protects the immune system from damage and also means HIV can’t be passed on to anyone else.”

Duncan Selbie
Duncan Selbie

Duncan Selbie, Chief Executive of Public Health England, added: Testing and early diagnosis are critical to ensure that those with HIV can access effective treatments and go on to live a long and healthy life. HIV testing and treatment is free and available to all. You can take a test in your own home or at sexual health services, GPs, healthcare and community settings nationwide. In many cases the test involves a simple finger prick and results are ready within minutes.  HIV prevention is as important now as it has ever been and I urge you to take up the offer of a test.”

Testing for HIV has never been easier or more convenient. You can order a free HIV postal test at www.freetesting.hiv or find out where to test locally via startswithme.org.uk.

 

X