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Prince Harry to attend opening of THT pop-up shop

Prince Harry will attend the opening of the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), HIV pop-up shop in Hackney on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.

The shop marks the launch of National HIV Testing Week (NHTW), which the charity coordinates on behalf of HIV Prevention England (HPE).

It will be open from November 15 – 24, for people to take a free self-test home with them, which requires a simple finger-prick and gives the results within fifteen minutes. THT staff and volunteers will also be in the shop to provide information on HIV, prevention and support services available for those newly diagnosed as positive.

Ian Green
Ian Green

Ian Green, CEO, Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s vital that we dispel the stigma that surrounds HIV-testing, and for people to recognise it as empowering.

“Self-testing is a new innovation and a quick, easy and private option for people to find out their HIV status. It’s an effective way to improve diagnosis and reduce new transmissions.

“This National HIV Testing Week, we’re asking people to give HIV the finger by getting tested and knowing their status. Because if you’re living with HIV, you need to know about it so you can protect your health through treatment and stop onward transmission of HIV. People who are diagnosed with HIV can live long healthy lives .

“We’re delighted that Prince Harry is attending the launch of our pop-up shop in Hackney, and we welcome his continued support of organisations that are fighting to end new HIV transmissions and the damaging stigma which continues to surround the virus.”

THT will reveal the exact location of the shop, which will be open seven days of the week, nearer its launch date via social media.

For more information about National HIV Testing Week, which runs from November 18 – 25, click here:

Shoreham panto support charity Christmas single for cancer charity

LP Creatives, the team behind the sell-out pantomime at the Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham support the charity Cancer is a Drag with its new charity song release Christmas Time With You.

Cancer is a Drag is a registered charity (Reg. No. 1160129) who’s main aim is to provide financial and wellbeing support to people and their families living with cancer.

Set up by its Founder, Alan Bugg, whilst going through treatment on his own cancer journey, the charity was born out of first-hand experience of the difficulties people living with the disease face that are often overlooked.

Tom Beard, Producer of the show Dick Whittington and his Cat in Shoreham along with the shows Director Quintin Young and David Pollikett aka Davina Sparkle (pictures included) who will be playing Dame Sarah the Cook, decided that the song would make a great addition to the pantomime.

Tom says: “We will be making the song a part of the show at the Ropetackle and also holding a collection at the end of each performance – hopefully the audience will appreciate what we are trying to do and we can raise some much-needed funds for this worthy cause. Christmas is a time for thinking of others and giving something back – and what better time to spread some Christmas cheer than during a pantomime?”

“David and I are great supporters of the charity” Quintin adds “it’s ideal to combine this association and bring this great song in to this year’s Panto and we’re thrilled that Tony has given permission for us to include the song in this years pantomime and share this great song with the folks at Shoreham this season!”

Davina Sparkle plays Sarah the Cook
Davina Sparkle plays Sarah the Cook

The charity single was composed by Tony Power who has for many years written songs and singles for well-known artists around the world, including The Three Degrees, Eurovision Song Contest winning artists, Anne Marie David, Linda Martin and Niamh Kavanagh, also for pop stars Sonia, Nicki French, house legend Angie Brown, Hi-nrg star Evelyn Thomas and many more.

Last year Tony wrote a track for Brighton based Miss Jason, which raised substancial funds for them

Tony says: “This year, I am delighted to be involved with another charity, Cancer Is A Drag (CIAD) and we are looking to raise some more money for this charity who work so hard to raise funds for people who are going through difficult times, and are offered support with assistance,

“Maybe to help pay for travel expense to hospital for treatment, just little things that are so important when you don’t feel like doing anything except concentrating on getting better.

“So I was so happy to join forces with Alan Bugg and his wonderful team of workers, to get this Christmas project off the ground in time for Christmas this year. The song is called, Christmas Time With You it written and composed by myself, and we are hoping that it will be a great success for the charity.”

Christmas Time With You will be released on November 6, 2017.

The charity is run voluntarily by the goodwill of the founder and its Trustees – there are no salary costs. The only costs involved are expenses incurred in organising, setting up and carrying out fundraising events and the purchase of items needed for these events or to raise more funds and promote the charity such as t-shirts, pin-badges, flyers, banners and the like.

Grants up to £500 are available, depending on the circumstance and need of the beneficiary or their family. Money can go towards paying bills, mortgage, rent, for food, special clothing, travel to and from treatment, household items needed, a treat away or even towards a funeral.

Cancer is a Drag stay with their beneficiaries on their cancer journey and offer more than just a one-off grant by providing top-ups along the way. The whole process is very ‘hands-on’ and is completed in quite a relatively short period of time so as to cause the person involved the least stress possible.

To make a donation to Cancer is a drag or for information on how to apply for a grant, click here:

If you would like to volunteer in any way or can help with sponsorship email the Founder and Trustees at info@cancerisadrag.org


 

Event: Dick Whittington a traditional Christmas Pantomime

Where: Ropetackle Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5EG

When: December 13-31, 2017

Cost: Tickets from £10 – Family ticket £50 – any seat, any show

To book tickets online, click here:

Or telephone the Box Office: 01273 464440

 

Birmingham conference to tackle school bullying

Academics, researchers and teachers will gather at Birmingham City University this month to explore new tactics and share evidence of what works when tackling bullying in schools.

The day-long Contemporary Research and Practice in Anti-bullying event will take place during Anti-Bullying Week on Wednesday, November 15 and will feature a series of high-profile speakers, including world-leading expert on school bullying Professor Peter Smith and Baroness Sal Brinton, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Bullying and Liberal Democrat Party President.

Debates and workshops will focus on different types of anti-bullying interventions, sexting, pupil-led anti-bullying strategies, bullying cultures in schools and the impact that bullying can have on young people, as well as ways of ensuring that schools are inclusive of LGBT+ communities.

Researcher Dr Elizabeth Nassem, from Birmingham City University’s Centre for the Study of Practice and Culture in Education, said: “The day will provide a great opportunity to share good practice and ensure practitioners feel confident and equipped with effective strategies to deal successfully with bullying.” 

Ben Cohen MBE
Ben Cohen MBE

Former England rugby player Ben Cohen MBE, founder of the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation has shown his support for the University event.

He said: “The anti-bullying conference at Birmingham City University brings communities of researchers and practitioners together to learn about the most effective ways to help eradicate bullying and homophobia” said Ben, who campaigns against bullying and homophobia through the work of his StandUp Foundation.

“Through standing up to bullying together we can make a positive difference to people’s lives.”

Other speakers at the event include PC Simon Bolwell from West Midlands Police, Anna Gregory from Birmingham-based charity Peacemakers and Andrew Moffat MBE.

Andrew has worked on challenging homophobia in primary schools and was recently named on the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to equality and diversity in education.

The event takes place during Anti-Bullying Week which runs from 13 – 17 November, with the theme of All Different, All Equal.  The conference is in partnership with the Bullying Reduction Action Group and is supported by Birmingham City Council.

Colin Diamond, Corporate Director of Children and Young People at Birmingham City Council, said: “I am delighted that Birmingham City University is hosting this important conference in Anti-Bullying Week. We are proud of the excellent work that goes on in the city to help to prevent bullying in all its forms.”

To register and book your place, click here:

Uber license in Brighton & Hove renewed for 6 months

Following a meeting on October 31, Brighton & Hove City Council extends Uber’s license to operate a taxi service in the city for a further six months while it monitors London’s final decision.

The decision on the length of the extension was taken to allow the council to monitor the outcome of the Transport for London Uber decision, and consider whether any of the information arising from the case had direct implications for the operation in the city. It also allows the council more time to negotiate with Uber about a number of proposed conditions for operating in the city.

In making the decision, officers studied reports and written submissions from interested parties. While there was no evidence to suggest that public safety had been compromised, there are a number of concerns, and Uber are working with the council to address these and reassure residents and visitors about their safety.

Under national law, licensed drivers can operate anywhere in the country, so drivers licensed elsewhere are allowed to operate in Brighton & Hove. Many authorities have fewer conditions attached to their licensing than is the case here.

When licensing operators, Brighton & Hove City Council work with them to maintain and enhance standards of safety, which includes trying to ensure that drivers not licensed locally are as accountable as possible. The council are working with Uber to ensure safety standards are maintained and address the challenges brought about by technological changes.

All Brighton & Hove private hire and Hackney Carriage drivers in the city operate under the same licences and the same guidelines contained in the Blue Book, whichever company they drive for. Likewise, all drivers undergo the same background checks.

Following the council’s standard procedure for renewing taxi operators’ license renewals, the decision was taken by officers under delegated authority. A decision on the process to look at the license at the end of this six month period will be taken in the new year.

Bids now open for Pride Social Impact Fund

Community groups and good causes across Brighton and Hove invited to bid for grants to put Pride in our city.

For one weekend every year, hundreds of thousands of people flock to the city to mark the LGBT+ celebration, Brighton & Hove Pride, which is one of the biggest Pride’s in the UK.

Community groups are invited to bid for money raised from the event to ensure that the positive message of Pride has an impact on areas of the city all year round.

Now in its third year, the Pride Social Impact Fund is accepting applications from groups or organisations which need a little helping hand in making a difference in their community.

Tim Ridgway
Tim Ridgway

Tim Ridgway, chairman of the Pride Social Impact Fund, said:
“In just a few years, the Social Impact Fund has made a massive impact to the lives of thousands of people across the city, proving that the Pride celebrations can have an impact on the community beyond just one weekend a year.

“I’m delighted to say that this year we have a record amount of money to distribute. I urge groups across the city to submit their bids as soon as they can and look forward to being able to help some amazing grassroots groups put a little bit of Pride back into our city.”

Launched in 2016, the Brighton Pride Social Impact Fund has distributed about £15,000 to groups across the city so far.

Projects put forward do not have to be LGBT+ related; they don’t even have to directly-linked to Pride (although applicants directly impacted will be favoured).

However big or small, the only criteria is that it will brighten up people’s lives by the time Pride comes round again next year.

This year, up to £19,755 is available for groups to bid for.

Funding comes from contributions made by businesses within the Pride Village Party in the St James’s Street area as well as extra funding from Pride ticket sales.

The application process for this year’s fund is open now and bids will be considered by a panel made up of representatives from The Argus, BBC Sussex, Juice 107.2, Brighton and Hove Independent, Sussex Life, Gscene magazine, Latest magazine and Latest TV.

Among those groups to benefit in 2016 were the Tarner Community Project, who received £1,000 towards creating drop in sessions for young people not in education, employment or training.

Other grants saw £500 gifted to the Friends of Preston Park towards Easter Egg quiz and hunt; and £300 awarded to Ardingly Court Residents Association for new lawn mower and a garden shredder.

£500 was also granted to Brighton-based Little Green Pig creative writing charity which helped fund a videographer for This Is My City project.

Little Green Pig received grant of £500 in 2016
Little Green Pig received grant of £500 in 2016

Emily Hogan, of Little Green Pig, said: “This was a really special project for us. In the end, 120 children from across the city contributed to writing the travel guide and we are all so proud of the result. Thank you to everyone at the Social Impact Fund for their incredible support.”

Paul Kemp
Paul Kemp

Paul Kemp, director of Brighton and Hove Pride, added: “Pride is only able to deliver this fundraising with the help of local businesses who contribute to the fund but we’d like to encourage more local businesses across the city who benefit from the bumper weekend of business Pride brings into the city, to get involved with our fundraising efforts for all our communities.”

How to apply
The Social Impact Fund has been set up to provide small grants for communal good. Grants are awarded annually to organisations or groups within the city with particular emphasis on areas directly affected or in the footprint of Brighton and Hove Pride.

Submissions should be a maximum of 400 words mapping out how the money will be spent and why the cause is deserving. Please note the maximum award will be £1,000. There is no lower limit.

There is no restriction on ‎numbers of entries by individual groups.‎ However, the emphasis is on supporting community and grassroots groups, rather than individuals.

Applications will be considered by a panel of local media representatives with successful applicants informed by the end of December.

Any money distributed needs to have had a visible outcome by the start of Pride 2018.

Submit your application by midday on November 30 by email to: Bhsocialimpactfund@gmail. com

 

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