Volunteering with North Somerset's LGBT+ Forum - the journey continues

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:40:27 Z

Readers of my blog in November will know I recently started volunteering with the North Somerset LGBT+ Forum. The next part of my journey I was asked to present a £50 donation to the charity on behalf of our Community Connect service, which I work for as a Wellbeing Worker. With our area under tier three restrictions, that wasn’t going to be so easy.

I was informed by the charity that they would be holding their ‘Rumble in the Jumble’ event outside their office at Saxons Estate Agents in Weston-super-Mare. I got in touch with Thom Winter-Gray, the charity’s Treasurer and a fellow Curo colleague, to arrange to hand over the donation.

On a cold and sunny Sunday morning I made my way to Weston with my partner, son and dog in tow. We were warmly greeted by LGBT+ Forum chairman Steve Winter-Gray, Thom and other members of the charity. The stand looked colourful with merchandise and goods displayed across two large tables. The floor was marked out for social distancing and masks were worn by all attending. We posed for photos as I handed over the donation to Steve.

Steve then gave me a tour of their office space which they rent out from Saxons, who had also been kind enough to let them put their event on outside of the office. The space is amazing, with bright, colourful flags displayed around the walls and a comfy seating area in the centre of the room, surrounded by work stations, including two hot desks for others to use.

I also recently attended the first digital meeting of the new joint venture between NSLGBT+ and Community Connect: the 50+ Group, aimed at the over-50s LGBT+ community in North Somerset. Their event, previously held in a café in Weston town centre, had its first airing over a virtual platform on 24 November between 6 and 8pm.

We were happy to welcome LGBT historian Cheryl Morgan, who spoke about LGBT history through the centuries. This was really interesting and an education and eye opener for me. Anyone interested in joining can contact the group by email at support@nslgbtforum.com or visit www.nslgbtforum.com.

The 50+ group will continue virtually until the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and we can revert to face-to-face group sessions.

The North Somerset LGBT+ Forum is always on the lookout for volunteers, so anyone interested in volunteering can also contact the charity using the details above. Their vision is that North Somerset is fully inclusive of, and engaged with, the LGBT+ population, and that North Somerset is a friendly and welcoming place to live and visit for members of the LGBT+ community.

I have been warmly welcomed into the charity and hope to continue to be involved as much as I can in the future. Community Connect and Curo are proud to be involved with such a wonderful charity.

Pictured, L-R: Steve Winter-Gray, Thom Winter-Gray and Andrea Hutchins

Flying the LGBT+ flag in North Somerset

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 11:24:01 Z

I recently started working closely with North Somerset’s LGBT + Forum as a volunteer and also in my capacity as a Wellbeing Worker with Curo’s Community Connect service. Being a volunteer, I can get as involved as I want.

Last month, through the LGBT + Forum, four new LGBT groups had their first meetings in Weston-super-Mare and I’m proud to be working with Curo's Thom Winter Gray on the new North Somerset LGBT 50+ group for older people in the community.

I’ll be able to promote our fantastic Community Connect service as well as Curo’s own support options. At the meetings, I’ll be offering useful information to people and my role with Community Connect means I’m well placed to talk about activities, groups or referrals in to services that could help people improve their wellbeing. I’m also looking forward to helping out with the general running of the group.

Thom and I have lots of ideas and hope to see this group grow in the future. I’ve already started to use my contacts to spread the word about the group through distributing materials, social media and the local press. The group hopes that word of mouth will also help as people start attending the group. To start with we’re inviting people who have an interest in the group and hope this will grow in time.

We’ll be asking what people would like to do at the group – maybe a quiz, bingo or live music? – and we’ll be asking other organisations and groups to come and talk about their services.

Self-isolation means I’ve yet to attend any meetings or events in person, and with the new lockdown it’s not known when face-to-face events can re-start. We will be running the group through the Zoom virtual platform.

If you or anyone you know would like to keep up to date with any events related to the North Somerset LGBT+ 50+ group, or the wider LGBT+ Forum find us on social media (it’s ‘North Somerset LGBT+ Forum’ on all platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). Or contact Thom or me at Community Connect on 01275 888803.

We hope this new initiative goes from strength to strength.

Curo News

Volunteering with North Somerset's LGBT+ Forum - the journey continues

Flying the LGBT+ flag in North Somerset