06/08/2013 – Scene Magazine – From the heart of LGBTQ+ Life

Roundtable discussion for LGBT Charities and Groups

Posted on 06/08/201309/11/2013 by Besi

Are you a charity or community group working primarily with lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and trans (LGBT) people?

Ever wished there was more help for your organisation to do its work?

The LGBT Health and Inclusion Project invites you to share your views.

Fundraising? Managing staff and volunteers? Training? Getting your message across and publicising services? Running a charity or community group in the current climate can be tough. If you’ve ever wished there was more information and support you need to come to this session.

The Transforming Local Infrastructure (TLI) project is amalgamating the Community and Voluntary Sector Forum (CVSF), Volunteer Centre, Performance Development Service and Skills Exchange. The new organisation will lead and co-ordinate support for Brighton and Hove’s community groups and voluntary organisations, to help them develop and work with statutory and other voluntary agencies. TLI wants to make sure that LGBT organisations don’t get left out or overlooked.

If you’re a local LGBT organisation, or your client-base or membership is significantly LGBT, go along to their special roundtable discussion to make sure LGBT organisations are not sidelined in the merger.

When: Monday, September 2

Time: 14.00 –16.00

Where: Conference Room, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG.

To book online CLICK HERE:

Places must be booked in advance.

This session is for LGBT charities and organisations or those that include LGBT service users or members as a significant client/membership group. It will not be suitable for generic charities and groups.

Cycling themed cafe to open on The Level

Posted on 06/08/2013 by Besi

Cllr Pete West on the café’s green roof.

Work is at an advanced stage for the opening of the city’s first cycling themed café at The Level.

New business Velo has been offered the lease on the eco-café marking the latest development in Brighton & Hove City Council’s £2.3 million restoration of The Level.

Councillor Pete West, chair of the council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said:

“The restoration of The Level is one of the most exciting and significant projects undertaken in the city in recent years and I am delighted that we are able to offer our residents the city’s first cycling café as part of this project.

“What impressed us about Velo’s bid was the emphasis on sustainable food sourcing, fresh produce and affordable prices, alongside the exciting cycling theme.”

Run by a team of local entrepreneurs, headed by Nigel Lambe co-owner of Small Batch Coffee Company, café ‘Velo’ will combine a cycling theme with coffee and food.

The new single-storey café has high sustainability credentials including a green wildlife-friendly roof, solar thermal and PV panels, air source heating and a rainwater harvesting system.

The building, occupying a highly visible position at the heart of the park adjacent to the restored and re-landscaped Rose Walk, will feature glass doors opening out onto a substantial dining terrace on three sides.

Its positioning enables visitors to look out over the rest of the park, particularly the southern area with its new sensory gardens, water fountains, children’s play areas, restored pavilions, bridges and pergolas.

With its cycling theme, it is hope the café will become a haven for cyclists, but Nigel and his team are committed to creating a ‘community hub’ which will be appealing to all residents, their families, visitors and commuters.

Nigel said:

“From grabbing a coffee on the way to work to, bringing the kids back at the weekend for a drink and a bite to eat – Velo will be accessible and fun for everyone.”

“We’ll make a simple promise to our customers – to deliver a high quality experience at every level and be accessible to all.

“It’s more about our attitude to a healthy and active lifestyle, than about the Lycra!

“In common with our other local businesses, we will strive to source local products wherever possible and create long term employment both within our cafes and the wider supply chain.”

Velo will be providing a varied menu, at prices which will appeal to everyone. Staff are committed to working with the council and Garden Manager in supporting the community and future activities in the park.

The café is expected to be open by the end of September, although the restored south end of the park including the playground and the new skatepark which recently re-opened to the public.

Transforming Local Infrastructure

Posted on 06/08/201309/11/2013 by Besi

Community and Voluntary Sector Forum (CVSF), Volunteer Centre, Performance Development Service and Skills Exchange are about to merge into one organisation with a new vision and ways of providing support and a voice for community groups and charities in the area.

Since 2010, Lunch Positive has been an active member of the CVSF Smaller Groups Network and the Volunteer Centre Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum.

Being part of the CVSF Smaller Groups Network has been invaluable in the development of Lunch Positive. They have been able to meet with other groups, discuss developments in funding, health & social care, and a whole range of other issues which affect them.

They have found opportunities to work together, developed networks to support one another, and had input into and access to the types of training, support and development which their organisations need.

In 2012, because of their experiences, they and five other groups had the idea of formulating a much needed position statement representing smaller organisations, which kick-started a piece of work which was developed and adopted as CVSF Position Statement on the Value and Needs of Small Community Groups (www.cvsectorforum.org.uk).

Being part of the Volunteer Centre Volunteer Coordinators Forum has been equally valuable in running a volunteer led group. The forum provides the opportunity to discuss developments in volunteering and best practice; and is a great place to meet others involved in managing, coordinating or working with volunteers.

The forum facilitates short workshops, identified by its members, on approaches to involving & supporting volunteers, and also provides access to useful online resources.

In 2011 Lunch Positive co-facilitated a well-attended workshop on Involving Service Users as Volunteers. The benefit of taking part in both of these networks is that they are able to meet others from the voluntary & community sector, share experiences, and together find support, solutions and opportunities to develop their work.

If you’re involved in any way with community work, there’s valuable support out there, and it’s important that our LGBT communities are more aware of and part of it.

You can get in touch with CVSF who are leading on the new infrastructure organisation through their website: www.cvsectorforum.org.uk

If any LGBT group would like to hear more about Lunch Positive’s experiences you can get in touch with Lunch Positive at: info@lunchpositive.org

Local charity shortlisted for national diversity award

Posted on 06/08/201309/11/2013 by Besi

Brighton based charity, Men Get Eating Disorders Too, has been shortlisted for in the Community Organisation for Gender category at The National Diversity Awards.

The ceremony celebrates inspiring achievements of positive role models and community organisations across the UK.

The awards aim to recognise nominees in their respective fields of diversity including age, disability, gender, race, faith, religion and sexual orientation.

The National Diversity Awards will be held at the Queens Hotel on September 20.

Leeds will play host to the prestigious black-tie event which has been sponsored by a growing list of top employers including Microsoft, Transport for London, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), Sky, MI5, The Co-operative Group, The Open University and the Financial Ombudsman Service amongst others.

The awards have gained a mass of celebrity support from the likes of Stephen Fry, paralympians Jody Cundy, Claire Harvey and singing sensation Misha B.

Misha Commented:

“I’m Delighted to be a patron of The National Diversity Awards; A great opportunity to recognise and celebrate diversity in all its glory.”

TV personality and BIg Brother presenter Brian Dowling will host the evening, along with British actress and CBeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell.

Brian said:

“Last year was an amazing night filled with so many inspirational people, and it made a change to be at a national event that recognised the different variety of talent that the UK has to offer.

“I look forward to witnessing what the 2013 ceremony will bring, but I know another fantastic array of role models and charities will be celebrated.”

Veteran activist Peter Tatchell was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s ceremony, alongside Zita Holbourne, recognised for tirelessly fighting social and racial justice over the last 20 years.

Paul Sesay, Founder of The NDA’s said:

“Well done to all shortlisted nominees. We had an overwhelming amount of nominations this year and the standard has been exceptional.

“I know another fantastic spectacle of role models will be delivered and recognised this year.”

Sam Thomas, MGEDT founder and director, said:

“We are thrilled to be shortlisted for our category and have our work recognised in this way.”

Men Get Eating Disorders Too is the UK’s only charity dedicated to raising awareness and supporting the needs of men affected by eating disorders. They provide information through their website, online peer support and training for professionals.

To follow them on Twitter. CLICK HERE:

To search on Facebook, CLICK HERE: