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Day: December 5, 2018

Roche introduces ‘All Access’ toilets in its Burgess Hill headquarters

Posted on by Besi

Roche Diagnostics introduce All Access toilets at their Burgess Hill headquarters.

THE company who employ around 650 in the UK, with more than 330 people based in their Burgess Hill office, wants to ensure that their diverse workforce feels comfortable and represented in the workplace.

The OPEN (Out, Proud and Equal Network) group at Roche Diagnostics, a network that represents LGBT+ employees, was the driving force behind this initiative.

Iain Gowers
Iain Gowers

Iain Gowers, leader of OPEN for Roche Diagnostics said: “You may be wondering what ‘All Access’ are and who exactly this includes? But, just as the sign suggests, it is all access – for all of us. One of the main purposes is to give our employees and visitors, of any gender identity, including people who don’t identify as male or female, a space to use the toilet without feeling uncomfortable or judged.”

This is just one part of Roche’s commitment to its LGBT+ staff via OPEN’s network for LGB+ employees.

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives.

Snailspace auction raises £230,000 for Martlets Hospice

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Over three hundred people gathered at the Hilton Brighton Metropole (December 3) to see all fifty unique Snailspace sculptures go under the hammer and slide away to their forever homes.

AMONGST the guests assembled in the Oxford Suite were Snailspace sponsors, artists, and volunteers, alongside some of Brighton’s well-known faces and dignitaries including The Mayor of Brighton & Hove, Cllr Dee Simson and superstar DJ Norman Cook aka Fat Boy Slim.

Online bidders and guests in the room, bid a total of £230.000 for the snails with profits from these bids (after expenses and royalties are subtracted) will go to Martlets to support their ongoing fundraising for life changing care for terminally ill people in Brighton and Hove.

Danni Smith’s beautiful snail depicting bee friendly flowers, To Everything There is a Season sold for highest amount at £12,800. Fiona Blair’s Hokusai sold for £12,000, Natalie Guy’s Disco Snail went for £10,300 and Fatboy’s Fast Forward The Mixtape Snail sold for £7,000.

Imelda Glackin
Imelda Glackin

Imelda Glackin, CEO Martlets said: “We are delighted with how much has been raised by auction, especially in these difficult economic times. Our giant gastropods have generated significant awareness of the work that Martlets does for families everyday in this city and this campaign has been about so much more than just the money raised at this stage. Our #BeMoreSnail campaign, featuring our beautifully painted snails, has been a constant reminder to take a moment and enjoy the time we have with the people we share our lives with. As well as giving something back to our city, which we rely on to help fund our vital, life-changing care, it has also been a way for us to engage people, of all ages and from all walks of life, with our key philosophy of living as well as you can with whatever time you have left.

“The campaign has also been a huge success in terms of the ongoing relationships it has created with organisations across this city, from the business community to schools, youth groups and other charities. It has opened doors for us and will create many long-term relationships that we can build on for future fundraising and supporter campaigns.

“All proceeds from our auction, alongside all of the other fundraising elements of the campaign, will enable Martlets to continue providing life-changing hospice care for local people affected by terminal illness.

“It is also wonderful to know that the legacy of these snails will live on and give pleasure to their buyers for years to come.”

Mark Stacey
Mark Stacey

Full details of the Snailspace event statistics and money raised will be issued in January once all elements of the campaign have been evaluated. The auction was conducted by Mark Stacey.

 

Photos by Simon Dack and Liz Finlayson

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HIV charity seeks new trustees and secretary

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Peer Action the Brighton and Hove based HIV charity seek trustees and a new secretary.

THE charity aims is to make a difference to the lives of people living with HIV and those who care for them.

Peer Action provides support for people affected by HIV, offering regular yoga and therapy days together with swimming and social activities, visits to museum exhibitions and some beautiful historic houses and gardens in order to help stop people feeling isolated or out of touch.

Peer Action are looking to appoint more trustees to join their enthusiastic board. They are looking for people with integrity who are team players and able to demonstrate a real commitment and responsibility in a professional way to the charity. Appropriate conduct is an essential requirement.

Trustees are responsible as part of the board for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity’s goals, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the regulatory guidelines.

The charity are also looking to appoint a secretary. This is also a trustee position with a specific role on the board as secretary, and would suit a person with very good organisational skills.

The role of trustee is a voluntary position. It’s a rewarding role and you must bring one or more of the following elements to the charity.

♦   Strong in administration and social media skills

♦   Skills in fundraising

♦   Skills in communications and marketing

Above all Peer Action are looking for people with the credibility and passion to make a difference for everyone within the community affected by HIV.

Applications are invited from Sussex and the surrounding areas.

Adriana Silva
Adriana Silva

For an informal chat before applying or to apply please contact the new Chair, Ms Adriana Silva   chair@peeraction.net

Applications are invited by email in the form of a letter from all ages and all parts of the community. The positions will be subject to a DBS disclosure.

Closing date: January 18, 2019. 

11 Rugby Road – LGBT+ Christmas Artists Open House

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Dan Mackey and Adam Johnson of 11 Rugby Road are opening up their home as part of the Christmas Artists Open Houses on December 8 and 9.

THIS year they have six rooms packed with festive goodies ready to explore, specialising in LGBT+ focused design, find handmade gifts and cards that fit the bill (with nice and naughty cards for the dirty minded!)

In addition to six rooms to explore they will be joined by twelve guest artists and a treat filled kitchen by the lovely Mr Bake Boys (otherwise known as Tommy and Ed).

Mr Bake Boys
Mr Bake Boys

For more information about 11 Rugby Road, click here:

Five day trip in May 2019 to Havana Pride

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Havana LGBT+ Pride celebration tour marks historic changes to the Cuban constitution.

Cuba VIP Travel, the Miami-based travel agency specialising in customised experiences of travelling in Cuba, launches exciting new tour for 2019: the Havana LGBT+ Pride celebration tour.

The five-day trip from May 16-20, 2019, coincides with Havana’s Pride Parade and will include numerous opportunities to socialise and work with renowned activists in the local LGBT+ rights movement.

Yaima Sanchez, Co-Founder, and COO of Cuba VIP Travel said: “It was important to us to craft an itinerary that not only captured the joy of the Havana Pride Parade but offered insights into the incredible work being done here to advance the cause of LGBT+ rights,”

“That’s why it’s such a great honour that we’ll be collaborating with some of the most prominent names in Cuba’s LGBT+ communities, including individual activists as well as organisations, all of them playing key roles in the vital push for rights. These are the people changing the LGBT+ landscape across Cuba, and we’re so proud to be able to invite our customers to be part of that.”

The new tour has been designed as a celebratory response to the landmark announcement earlier this year that the Cuban National Assembly was backing a constitutional change that will, for the first time, allow same-sex marriage in the country. Through a carefully curated series of experiences, the tour will offer customers a snapshot of Havana’s LGBT+ scene at this crucial moment in history.

Prices begin from $2,275 USD  per person, which includes four nights and five days of luxury accommodation at the five-star Parque Central Hotel in the heart of Havana.

The tour includes all meals, including gourmet dinners, throughout the trip; participation in activities including the Havana Pride Parade, the Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia and activism workshops; a private reception with renowned figures from the local LGBT+ community, and further opportunities to attend parties alongside them; and expert-led tours of the cultural and historic highlights of the city.

Specially tailored one-off events, such as a spectacular farewell gala including a lavish dinner and live performances by a range of high-profile Cuban acts in a very special venue, will also be covered by the tour’s ticket price.

In addition to their commission, travel agents booking places on the tour will be incentivised with the option to join the tour for free themselves if they sell the package to over 20 customers. And in addition, a percentage of all sales proceeds made from the tour will be fed directly back into Cuba’s LGBT+ community, through donations made to non-profit organisation on the ground there.

Although Cuba VIP Travel’s offer already includes a range of different tours throughout the island, this will be the company’s first foray into tours specifically created with LGBT+ travellers in mind.

Yaima Sanchez, continued: “This is a hugely exciting time for Cuba’s LGBT+ communities, with social change happening at a tremendous pace and political support for LGBT+ rights constantly on the rise,”

“Havana is at the heart of these changes. We knew we needed to create a travel experience that truly revealed the soul of the LGBT+ movement in this remarkable city, while also giving something back, in terms of funding, to the local organisations we admire. We feel satisfied that we’ve managed to achieve those aims, and we can’t wait to hear the feedback from our customers.”

For more information about the LGBT+ Pride Celebration Tour, click here:

‘Big City Sleepout’ to raise money for homeless shelter

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As the countdown to Christmas begins, British Airways i360 and Bishop Sullivan Lettings invite you to spend a night sleeping rough to raise money for The Clock Tower Sanctuary
homeless shelter.

The Big City Sleepout will take place on the British Airways i360 upper boarding deck on Kings Road, on the night of December 18-19. The 60 participants will be encouraged to bring just a sleeping bag and mat, a small tent, snacks and a hot drink. Toilets, first aid and security will be provided.

Brighton & Hove has the second-highest number of rough sleepers in England and that number is growing – in 2017 the council estimated there were around 178 rough sleepers across the city, a 19% rise from the previous year.

The charity Shelter estimates there are more than 4,000 people in the city living in temporary accommodation.

Julian Bishop, director of Bishop Sullivan Lettings on Preston Street, is co-organising the Big City Sleepout.

He said: “According to statistics, one in 64 Brighton & Hove residents is homeless or living in insecure accommodation,” he said. “This may seem unbelievable in this modern age, but sadly, it is true. It is said you are only five pay packets away from life on the streets – homelessness could happen to anyone.

“At work I enjoy connecting people with homes and I wanted to do something which makes a difference for those without a permanent roof over their heads.”  

The Clock Tower Sanctuary day centre on North Street receives more than 4,000 visits a year from homeless 16-25-year olds. The charity provides practical and emotional support to help move homeless young people from crisis to independence.

CEO of Clock Tower Sanctuary, Frances Duncan said: “A huge thank you to everyone involved in the Big City Sleepout. The Clock Tower Sanctuary relies on the generosity of the local community to keep our doors open and as the only day centre in Brighton for homeless 16-25-year olds, our services are needed now more than ever. All the money raised by those bold enough to brave the elements for a night will go towards our Urgent Winter Appeal, enabling us to give vulnerable young people a warm welcome and a helping hand when they have nowhere else to turn.”

Lena Koskela, head of sales and marketing at British Airways i360 said: “Most of us associate Christmas with being warm, indoors and surrounded by our loved ones. Charities tell us that not only is this the coldest time of year for homeless people, it can also be the loneliest as well. We are proud to be working with the Clock Tower Sanctuary and hope people will brave the elements for just one night to raise funds for this essential local work.”

Where?  British Airways i360 upper boarding deck

When: December 18 – 19 2018

Time: 9pm start – 6am finish

How much: Free to attend but you must pledge to raise £150 by December 18, 2018. To make a donation, click here: 

Where will the money go: All money raised will go to The Clock Tower Sanctuary’s Urgent Winter Appeal, enabling them to give vulnerable young people a warm welcome and a helping hand, when they have nowhere else to turn.

What do I need to bring: It will be cold and it might also be wet and windy too; the same problems rough sleepers face every night.

You’ll need warm clothing and a sleeping bag. A full thermos, a small tent without pegs and a sleeping mat are also recommended. Toilets, security and first aid will be provided. Sorry no pets, smoking, drinking or drug taking is permitted.

For more information and to register for The Big City Sleepout, click here:

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