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Youth homeless charity receives massive donation from Brighton business

Brighton based youth homelessness charity, The Clock Tower Sanctuary, receives a massive donation of £92,000 from RiverStone Management Limited, part of the insurance and reinsurance operations of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited.

Pictured;[LtR] Sam Binks, Sophie Urwin, Robbie Vaughan all from RiverStone Management Limited, Kate Kirkham - CEO and Natalie Borg - Development Manager of The Clock Tower Sanctuary
Pictured;[Left to Right] Sam Binks, Sophie Urwin, Robbie Vaughan all from RiverStone Management Limited, Kate Kirkham – CEO and Natalie Borg – Development Manager of The Clock Tower Sanctuary
The local charity, which receives no statutory funding to run its service, was astounded to receive a phone call from RiverStone’s HR Manager to say their employees had nominated The Clock Tower Sanctuary to receive this very generous donation.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary is Brighton’s only drop-in service specifically for homeless 16 – 25 year olds. The charity provides a welcoming and safe space and works to prevent young people from a life on the streets. However the charity has been struggling to support the growing need for the service due to the small size of its current premises located in central Brighton.

Natalia Borg, Development Manager at The Clock Tower Sanctuary, said: “Brighton and Hove is now home to the UK’s second largest homeless population. Every day it’s a challenge to negotiate the space to ensure we can help all the vulnerable young people who seek our support. This unbelievable donation means we will be able to expand, doubling the space of the day centre. We are so grateful to everyone at RiverStone – we still can’t quite believe it!”

RiverStone said it is an important part of its culture to give back to the local community and they were delighted to be able to make such a donation. Homelessness is an issue that their employees are understandably concerned about and they are thrilled that the donation will make such a crucial impact.

RiverStone will also be supporting charities local to their Darlington and London offices with donations of £11,000 and £36,000 respectively.

The Clock Tower Sanctuary’s mission is to prevent vulnerable young people from becoming part of the long-term homeless population by intervening early with young people to help prevent problems spiralling out of control.

In 2015 they supported 167 individuals with 63 new clients accessing services for the first time. About half of these were rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation, with the rest either in hostels or ‘sofa-surfing’.

The RiverStone Group is part of the insurance and reinsurance operations of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”), a Canadian financial services group based in Toronto.

 

 

Brighton Bear Weekend launch party at the Camelford Arms tonight

Brighton Bear Weekend (BBW) hold their official launch party for this years fundraising drive at the Camelford Arms tonight, March 25.

The launch will start at 7pm and the BBW team will be there to answer any questions you have about this years events. You will have a chance to buy their new T shirts (£12), polo shirts (£15) and wristbands (£5) for the main event in June also.

BBW will be making some exciting announcements on the night and The Camelford are kindly laying on a buffet. It will be the perfect start to your Saturday night.

The main BBW event in June,  opens with the annual BBW Quiz on Thursday, June 15 at the Camelford Arms and closes on Sunday, June 18.

BBW will once again be raising money for the Rainbow Fund who give grants to local LGBT/HIV organisations who provide effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.

For up to date information, click here:

Treat your mum to the King on Mothers day

There are a few places still available for the Suspiciously ELVIS, Mothers Day lunch in the magnificent surroundings of the Paganini Ballroom at the Old Ship Hotel on Brighton seafront tomorrow, Sunday, March 26 starting at 1.30pm.

Treat your mum to a slice of the King and make her Mothers Day this year extra special. If you don’t have a mum you will still be welcomed.

Tickets for the show including a 3 course gala lunch with coffee and mints are £39 per person or £20 if you just want to see the show which starts at 3.30pm


Event: Suspiciously ELVIS: Treat Mum to the King this Mothers Day

Where: Paganini Ballroom, Old Ship Hotel, Brighton

When: Sunday, March 26

Time: 1.30pm-5.30pm

Cost: £39pp ELVIS Show 3 course gala lunch with coffee and mints. £20pp for show only at 3.30pm, You can’t just just up, you have to make a reservation.

To make a reservation call 01273 725331 or call Emma on 07860 654801

Controversial HIV film takes award at New York film festival

The HIV/AIDS documentary film Positive Hell added a new trophy to its collection of film festival awards last weekend receiving the Special Jury Prize for World Social Impact at the Queens World Film Festival (QWFF).

The award was presented to the film’s writer, narrator and producer Joan Shenton by festival co-directors Katha Cato and Donald Cato. The award came at the end of an important week for Positive Hell, which in 2016 was barred from two London film festivals and a New York screening, following behind the scenes lobbying.

Joan Shenton and Katha Cato
Joan Shenton and Katha Cato

The film’s producer Joan Shenton, said: “On Wednesday, we were pleased to see Positive Hell open the LGBTQ+ section of the Queens World Film Festival. The film tells a story of huge importance to the LGBTQ community and we were delighted not just at the size of the audience, the acclaim or the opportunity for this audience to see the film, but because of an unanticipated moment after the screening.

Then on Thursday, using YouTube, we released our new short film, Censored, which tells the story of how behind-the-scenes intimidation, with threats of boycotts and mass demonstrations, had led to three separate 2016 bans on Positive Hell, something we regarded not only as obvious censorship but little short of corporate terrorism.

Last Saturday, thanks to community activists in Harlem and Jackson Heights, Positive Hell was given two more screenings, with renowned journalist and AIDS writer, Celia Farber taking questions. Both events received threats and dire warnings that the film was too dangerous to screen but this time our hosts held their ground.

So three screenings took place in New York last week, all followed by constructive debates, and not a single demonstrator turned up to any of them, confirming our belief that the bullying and intimidation was simply a PR exercise: empty threats engineered by corporate pharmaceutical interests that didn’t like the ideas expressed in Positive Hell.”

Positive Hell tells the personal stories of five people who have lived by choice for decades without antiretroviral drug regimes, despite having all been diagnosed HIV positive in the 1980s and despite receiving grave warnings about the impact on their health. Thirty years after making those choices, all five were still very much alive, ready to tell their stories on camera and discuss their doubts about the medical advice they had received.

Ms Shenton continued: “After the QWFF screening, a member of the audience unexpectedly stood up and declared that, like the people in our film, he had been diagnosed HIV positive 27 years ago and, like them, he had rejected medical advice to take antiretrovirals and was still there to talk about it. He expressed his gratitude to those who, like him, question this medical orthodoxy. It was a poignant moment.”

She concluded: “Positive Hell has been selected for further film festivals this summer and ‘Censored’ is now out on YouTube as the first in a trilogy titled ‘Positively Wrong’, with the next film to follow soon. Meanwhile, the director of Positive Hell, Andi Reiss, and I and all the film’s team are immensely grateful to Katha Cato, Donald Cato and the Queens World Film Festival for recognising the importance of Positive Hell with their festival selection, topped by an award that means a great deal to us.

“We are also grateful to Elizabeth Ely who set up Saturday’s screenings and Rolando Bini, President of the Family Preservation Committee at the National Action Network – House of Justice in Harlem and director of Parents in Action in Jackson Heights, for sticking to his guns and ensuring that people directly and indirectly affected by HIV/AIDS were able to see our work for themselves and debate its message.”

Censorship of Positive Hell in London is currently being investigated by Index on Censorship, which is expected to report soon.

Festival Award for Best LGBTQ film went to Mariposas (Butterflies) by Angel Villaverde with To have you here by Jen Ackerman receiving an honorable mention.

 

#westandtogether

City’s ‘One Voice’ partnership issues statement following Westminster murders.

Following the incident in Westminster yesterday. March 23 , the city’s One Voice partnership has today reaffirmed its commitment for Brighton & Hove’s ‘city values’ based on pluralism, equality, fairness and respect for all.

One Voice brings together the council and Sussex Police with the city’s communities, faiths groups and minorities tackling racism, intolerance and extremism.

Geoff Raw
Geoff Raw

Geoff Raw, Chief Executive, Brighton & Hove City Council and Chair of One Voice, said: “Yesterday’s incident outside of the Houses of Parliament has shocked and saddened us all. We send our deepest sympathies to the families of those who have lost lives, those who have been injured, and all affected communities.” 

Billie Lewis

Chair of the LGBT Community Safety Forum Billie Lewis, added: “We stand together in solidarity in our response to yesterday’s assault on people going about their daily lives. Our LGBT+ community is made up of diverse and different people.  We understand, particularly in times of anger and shock, that our difference is one of our greatest strengths. We recognise that compassion, communication and increasing trust between communities is the best way to tackle these collective threats to our safety.”

Anthea Ballam
Anthea Ballam

Anthea Ballam, secretary of the Interfaith Contact Group, said: “Representing the many faiths in our city, we’re deeply sorrowful about the tragic incident in London yesterday. We stand firm that these acts of violence and hate must not go any further. We must look out and care for each other and ensure that individuals and communities are not singled out in our city.”

The Chair of the Racial Harassment Forum Mahir Chowdhury summed up the city’s ethos.
He said: “We do not tolerate violence against innocent people, wherever it takes place. We as communities, council, and police stand together and speak with one voice against extremist perspectives and actions in the city and elsewhere. It’s now even more important for all our communities to demonstrate that we will not let any terrorist action divide us and continue our great tradition of unity and respect for all.” 

Sabri Ben-Ameur, vice chair of the Brighton & Hove Muslim Forum, added: “We strongly condemn these assaults on innocent people. Terrorism has no place in any society and we will continue to pray for the victims and their families. Our thoughts are also with the family of the late PC Keith Palmer. His bravery and the response of the police and emergency services are to be commended.”

The threat level from terrorism to the UK remains unchanged at ‘Severe’, meaning an attack is highly likely. This has remained constant at this level since August 2014 and has not changed following the incident outside the Houses of Parliament yesterday. Police and other agencies continue to work to keep the public safe.

Co-operation between the public and the police remains the greatest asset in tackling the challenge the UK faces from terrorism. Sussex Police and Brighton & Hove City Council are asking all residents and communities to remain aware and to report any suspicious behaviour or activity immediately by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or 999 in an emergency.

To report to Sussex Police online, click here:

One Voice members urge everyone to be aware and are encouraging residents and communities to report any racist, religiously motivated or other hate incidents within our communities.

To report any hate incidents, click here:

For further information about preventing terrorism and how to get support, click here:

 

 

MindOut receives the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM)

MindOut, the LGBTQ mental health service have been awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) for mental health advocacy services.

They have been assessed against agreed standards for independent advocacy by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi).

To gain the QPM, independent advocacy providers have to undergo a rigorous self-assessment process and policy review. This is followed by a structured site visit for NDTi assessors to meet advocates and the people they support.

The Advocacy QPM provides them a robust benchmark to measure independent advocacy services, ensuring  that service users are getting an excellent service, that funders are assured that services are being delivered as well as possible.

MindOut was commended on all aspects of the QPM, especially their approach to equality and diversity.

Jason Saw
Jason Saw

Jason Saw, Advocacy Service Manager, said: “The report reaffirms our commitment to developing and providing an advocacy service that is independent, professional and responsive to the needs of LGBTQ people with mental health concerns, keeping advocacy standards and principles central to our work and acknowledges the high importance we place on providing person centred advocacy services that are accessible, welcoming and supportive.”

A MindOut service user, added: “MindOut helped me to maintain my tenancy, I would be homeless without their support, actually I think I would have killed myself before ending up homeless.  It’s a life saving service!”

Gail Petty, QPM Manager and Lead for Advocacy and Rights at NDTi said: “The Advocacy Quality Performance Mark is only awarded to advocacy organisations who can demonstrate that they are providing excellent services to people often experiencing challenging situations in their lives.  It indicates that they have the training and policies in place to ensure people’s rights are upheld and their preferences are heard and responded to.”

For further information on the QPM, click here:

For more information about MindOut, click here:

Did you know disposing of furniture in the street is a crime?

A new campaign is underway to remind householders it is a criminal offence to dispose of household items in the street.

Brighton & Hove City Council has joined a national publicity drive by Keep Britain Tidy called Crime Not To Care (# CrimeNotToCare).

Cityclean’s project team and a flytipping crew have been out today, dressed in orange jumpsuits, to identify and highlight, as well as clear flytips.

Last year the council recorded over 2,600 cases of flytipping, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds to clear up. Nationwide there are around half a million cases a year.

The council’s Cityclean staff are aiming to highlight 100 flytips in Brighton & Hove. They are handing out leaflets reminding people that leaving large items out in the street is a criminal offence and advising how to dispose of things properly – including via council special collections.

Residents are being urged to check that anyone collecting their waste has the required licence.

To underline the law, staff have also started using police-style tape to cordon-off ‘environmental crime scenes’ and wearing orange jumpsuits with ‘balls and chains’ to post pictures of flytipping and highlight how it is a criminal offence.

CCTV cameras are being moved to flytipping hotspots to catch offenders.

Cllr Gill Mitchell

Chair of the council’s environment committee Cllr Gill Mitchell, said:  “It has got to the stage where illegal flytipping has become normal among otherwise law-abiding residents. People think it’s the done thing to put stuff into the street, leave things out for others to help themselves or dump large items alongside communal bins or recycling sites. In fact it’s a criminal offence and makes the place look a terrible mess. So we’re trying re-educate people about what the law is and the waste disposal services available.”

For information on how to dispose of bulky items on the council’s website here, click here:

 

 

 

 

PREVIEW: LGBT History Club #6

The sixth LGBT History Club organised by Queer in Brighton returns to the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery on Sunday, March 26.

This month Stuart Feather will be reading from his book Blowing the Lid: Gay Liberation, Sexual Revolution and Radical Queens.

Stuart joined the Gay Liberation Front in October 1970 and was with it to the bitter end in 1974.

This event will also feature a Q&A panel with Stuart and members of the Sussex branch of the GLF hosted by Jane Traies.

For some years Jane has been recording the experiences of the oldest generations of lesbians in the UK. Some of these stories feature in her book The Lives of Older Lesbians: Sexuality, Identity and the Life Course (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). She continues to collect the reminiscences of women born before 1950 who identify as lesbian or bisexual, and her next project is to publish a collection of these life-stories.

Jane and some of her interviewees appeared in the short film Now You See Me (Esme Waldron, 2016).


Event: LGBT History Club #6

Where: Brighton Museum & Art Gallery

When: Sunday March 26

Time: 3pm – 5pm

Cost: The event is FREE – but click here to RSVP so they know how much cake to bring along!

For more information, click here:

BOOK REVIEW: An Odd Sock Story: Rose & Jan Hart, Elvira Grassia,

An Odd Sock Story

Rose Hart, Elvira Grassia, Jan Hart (Illustrator)

Socks go missing in the laundry all the time, but where do they go?
Join Malcolm, Petunia and all of their friends on an exciting journey through the colourful,  visually funny and well imagined delightful Sockland!
Following Malcom the odd sock on his adventures across the puntastic Sockland we find out if lost socks are destined to be alone, or if the community of Sockland can accept a happily mismatched pair, and what happens when odd socks match….

This charming and fun children’s story uses its engaging  narrative to respectfully addresses some of the challenging & complex  social issues of today, staying inclusive and easy to understand,  while its imaginative, vibrant illustrations bring a never-before-seen Sockland to life. An Odd Sock Story as a fun and informative way to help children learn that families, people, couples and socks come in many different shapes, colours, and sizes. I was never quite sure why the socks have gendered names, but perhaps it all works out in the wash.

There’s some lovely interactive stuff on line to support the book including some fun drawing and colouring-in downloads,  you can check out their very cool website here. 

Pre-kindergarten teacher Elvira Grassia and singer/songwriter Rose Hart began to create and develop An Odd Sock Story while both living and working in New York City. It was when they teamed up with Jan Hart, based in London, that the idea was brought to life with vibrant and imaginative illustrations. The three continued to develop the journey of these socks into the fun and thoughtful story it has become.

Out now

£8.99 Paperback

To buy the book, see more info or follow the further adventures of Malcolm on facebook see the publishers website here: 

Legends Cabaret Big Top returns to Brighton Pride

The Legends Cabaret Big Top will return to the Brighton Pride, Summer Of Love festival on Preston Park on Saturday, August 5.

Year after year the Legends Cabaret Big Top delivers world-class entertainment to a capacity crowd as drag artistes, performers and cabaret stars bring glamour and fun to the stage of the glittering camp jewel in Brighton Pride’s crown.

Paul Kemp
Paul Kemp

Paul Kemp, Director of Brighton Pride, said: “The Legends Cabaret Big Top, the biggest cabaret tent at any Pride in the UK, wouldn’t happen without the generous financial support of Tony Chapman at Legends Hotel, Club and Bar and I am delighted that he has agreed to continue his support for the LGBT+ community once again this year by sponsoring this much loved attraction at the Pride Festival.

Tony’s personal generosity and commitment every year to Pride  and the hard work by Brighton legend Lola Lasagne ensures the cabaret tent is able to attract the finest cabaret artists in the country to appear.

For many, Legends is the hub of the LGBT+ community in Brighton and Hove and their contribution to Pride and the whole Brighton LGBT+ scene is hard to match and their invaluable support for The Rainbow Fund enables Brighton’s LGBT+ groups and organisations to continue their work delivering effective front line services to LGBT+ people in the city throughout the year.”

Legends has received multiple awards in recognition of their support for local LGBT+/HIV community groups and organisations and has been the recipient of Pride’s Biggest Business Fundraising Supporter award for the last three years in a row.


Brighton & Hove Pride Summer of Love Festival: Friday August 4 – Sunday August 6, 2017

Pride Festival at Preston Park: Saturday, August 5, 2017

Pride Community Parade: Saturday, August 5, 2017

Pride Village Party: Saturday, August 5 – Sunday, August 6 2017

To purchase tickets online: click here:

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