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‘A Better Tomorrow’ for Brighton’s problem drinkers

A Better Tomorrow alcohol counselling service provides confidential and effective telephone counselling in Brighton for people worried about the effect their drinking is having on their day to day life, health, finances, job and relationships with family and friends.

A Better Tomorrow

Qualified and registered alcohol counsellors provide understanding and non-judgemental help allowing people to achieve their goal around alcohol, whether that is abstinence or controlled social drinking.

Receiving counselling help over the telephone allows people to gain support in the comfort and safety of their own home or any place where they feel comfortable. The anonymity and confidentiality of receiving counselling via telephone means they will never have concerns about their problem being discovered by someone they know seeing them enter a counselling office or an alcohol treatment centre.

If people suffer from agrophobia, have mobility problem, a disability, or have problems with transport, telephone counselling offers the chance to access help without leaving the comfort and security of home.

A Better Tomorrow realises that many people are apprehensive or even intimidated by the thought of attending face to face counselling sessions. Telephone counselling offers these people the chance to receive the help they need without having to attend counselling sessions in person.

Most people lead hectic lives, juggling family and work constantly, making finding the time to travel and attend regular counselling sessions difficult. Telephone counselling can fit into busy schedules and with no travelling costs, or losing time at work for appointments, is cheaper than face to face counselling.

A Better Tomorrow also offers face-to-face counselling in Brighton by arrangement. These counselling sessions can be carried out at home or any location that is convenient to meet a qualified counsellor to discuss concerns over alcohol use.

To learn more on the counselling services offered by A Better Tomorrow telephone 07772896281 for a free initial consultation.

Or EMAIL:

To visit the website, CLICK HERE:

Speaking Volumes go live!

The Speaking Volumes project hosted a successful launch event at the Jubilee Library in Brighton on Monday, April 7.

Mayor Of Brighton & Hove

Speaking Volumes is a storytelling project that is working with HIV positive people from Sussex to enable them to share their stories and experiences of living with the virus. It is hoped that by hearing the stories the public will gain a greater understanding of the condition, reducing the stigma and mis-information that still abounds.

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The evening started with a rendition of Something Inside So Strong, by the Brighton Goes Gospel (BGG) choir which was followed by an introduction from the Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Councillor Denise Cobb.

Speeches followed from the Project Director, Alice Booth who explained how the idea for the project had come about from the Human Library events where people share their stories one to one with visitors. She discussed how Speaking Volumes builds on this idea, and makes it accessible to people living with HIV who wish to share their stories and still remain anonymous, whilst also giving longevity to the project through the ongoing display of books and the website.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion

Brighton’s Green MP, Caroline Lucas was also present and gave an eloquent speech about the positive work being done in the city to raise awareness about HIV, but maintaining there is still more that needs to be done. She said she hopes to work with Alice to bring the shelf of Speaking Volumes stories to Parliament.

Guests were then treated to another song from BGG, as the mayor cut the ribbon on the shelf, and they then had the opportunity to listened to fifteen diverse stories about what it’s like to live with HIV in 2014.

The Speaking Volumes exhibition is on display at the Jubilee Library in Brighton until June 8.

To listen to all the stories on the website, CLICK HERE:

Speaking Volumes

 

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus sing with Russell Watson tonight

Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) are to reunite with best-selling British tenor Russell Watson at Brighton Dome tonight.

Brighton Gay Men's Chorus
Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus

The chorus first met Russell during the BBC show Last Choir Standing. Russell who was a judge, famously fought to keep the Chorus in the game as they competed against acclaimed welsh male choir Only Men Aloud who went on to win the show.

Russell said: “If the guys want to come and join me we’ll do a number on stage together… I’m absolutely serious, that would be fantastic.”

Adam Betteridge, a trustee for Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, said: “Last Choir Standing was a turning point in our development as a choir and as a charity. I’m sure I am not alone in remembering back then how moving it was to hear Russell so passionately fight to keep our Chorus in the competition. I could hardly believe my ears when I got the call telling me that he had personally asked for us to join him on stage at the Brighton Dome!”

For more information about Russell Watson’s concert, CLICK HERE: 

For your diary:

The choirs next show Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus: Nautical But Nice will take place as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival on May 2 & 3 at St George’s Church in Kemptown, Brighton. They will be helping raise funds for the local Brighton branch of the RNLI, and Worthing based charity Wolfram Syndrome UK.

The Chorus will be holding its annual Jamboree – offering fun, games and home-baked cakes – at the Brighton Tavern on Saturday April 19 between 11am and 3pm. Everyone is welcome!

If you are considering joining BGMC, they are always interested in hearing from prospective new members. Email Tom:

 

City Council to commemorate war anniversary with a ‘sea of poppies’

Visitors to Brighton and Hove will be welcomed with a sea of wild red poppies this summer.

Poppies

Brighton & Hove City Council parks staff are currently sowing the wildflower seeds across the city. The flowers in the seed mix are all shades of red and are predominantly poppies – a fitting commemoration for the WW1 anniversary.

The poppies will be first to bloom in June and will be followed by other red flowers throughout the season, creating a stunning display and ‘painting the town red!’

The seeds are being sown in all the council’s wildflower sites – Edward Road, Eastern Road, the former bowling greens in Preston Park, outside Rottingdean bowling green, near the War Memorial on the Old Steine, The Level (near the entrance to the Open Market) and on grass verges in many housing estates in the ‘mowing margins.’

Cllr Geoffrey Bowden
Cllr Geoffrey Bowden

Councillor Geoffrey “Pride is not a sacred cow” Bowden, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “The sight of thousands of poppies emerging on wildflower sites across the city will be both stunning and poignant – a fitting way to mark the historic anniversary of the start of World War One.

“The displays will also highlight the range of other events and commemorations being planned across the city.”

 

 

Glittering award for North East Charity

A North East charity, which promotes equality and diversity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, has been recognised for its glittering contribution to Newcastle.

Mark Nichols
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride

Northern Pride, based at the city’s Westmorland Road, was given a special Outstanding Contribution to the Newcastle Gay Scene trophy at the first annual Glittergong Awards.

The awards, run by Rusty’s bar, were designed to honour the organisations and individuals who have helped make the area around Newcastle’s Times Square one of the most popular LGBT destinations in the UK.

There were 11 categories in total, including Best Venue, Best Bar Person, Best DJ and Best Drag Act, with the winners being chosen by the general public from a shortlist posted on social media.

The Outstanding Contribution category was the only award open to public nominations, with Northern Pride being suggested more than 700 times.

Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have been given this award and would like to thank everyone who put our name forward.”

Northern Pride, which is run by a team of volunteers, hosts a variety of free events, workshops and seminars throughout the year, all designed to reduce discrimination and promote acceptance and equality.

Among the most popular is the annual Newcastle Pride festival, which this year is expected to attract more than 65,000 visitors over the course of three days.

Iain Precht, Manager at Rusty’s, said: “Northern Pride makes a huge contribution to Newcastle both socially and economically and the organisation is a very deserving winner of our first Outstanding Contribution award.”

For more information about Northern Pride, CLICK HERE:

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Toronto to host North America’s first ever WorldPride

Ontario takes the world-stage as Toronto showcases the first ever WorldPride celebration held in North America this June.

Toronto WorldPride 2014

WorldPride 2014 Toronto (WP14TO) presented by Pride Toronto is shaping up to be one of the biggest international LGBT events of our times! Ten days of colourful and friendly revelry starts on June 20, 2014, and will see the streets of Toronto’s many neighbourhoods turned into parades and urban parks transformed into parties.

Visitors from all around the world are expected to gather in Toronto, to celebrate the largest WorldPride to date in a carnival atmosphere like no other.

International dance music divas Deborah Cox and ‘The Original Weather Girl’ Martha Wash are confirmed to perform, along with world famous DJ’s David Morales and Quentin Harris.

Official event highlights of WP14TO include the grand Opening Ceremony on June 20, WorldPride Gala and Awards, the Trans March, Dyke March and the colourful WorldPride Parade.

If that isns’t enough there will be a multitude of singer-songwriters, spoken word, youth showcases, drag artists, burlesque and dancers to entertain. Plus films, photography, art and an entire plethora of artistic genres represented in programs like Alterna-Queer and Blockorama.

For families WorldPride will be featuring children’s performers, activities, and more in the family-friendly zone ‘Family Pride’ at The Church Street Public School.

WorldPride is an event organised by InterPride to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues on an international level through parades, festivals and other cultural activities.

WorldPride 2014 Toronto (WP14TO) will be an international celebration incorporating activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBT communities. Highlighting Canada’s continued progress in human rights; WP14TO also celebrates the diversity and dynamism of Toronto, one of the world’s most progressive and liveable cities.

WP14TO runs from June 20-29 2014.

For more information, CLICK HERE: 

Toronto WorldPride

 

Brighton Equality Walk celebrates 25 years of Stonewall

Stonewall’s 2014 Equality Walk is on Sunday, May 11.

Brighton Equality Walk 2013

This years walk which has moved from it’s traditional May bank holiday weekend slot forms part of the the charity’s 25thanniversary celebrations and is supported by American Express.

Walkers will be raising funds to support Stonewall’s work in over 10,000 schools to tackle homophobic bullying. YouGov polling conducted on behalf of Stonewall shows that over half of gay young people experience homophobic bullying at school, while nearly all hear homophobic language. Worryingly, nine in ten teachers report they’ve never received training on how to prevent and respond to homophobic bullying.

Over 800 supporters took part in last year’s Walk, raising a record-breaking £75,000. Walkers will enjoy entertainment by the seaside – including face painting for children, live music and a picnic area – ahead of the walk around Brighton.

Catherine BosworthStonewall Director of Fundraising Catherine Bosworth said: “We hope to see hundreds of supporters turn out for our annual Brighton Equality Walk. We want more people than ever to take a stand against homophobic bullying in this extra special year, Stonewall’s 25th Anniversary. Every penny raised will help us support gay young people who face a daily nightmare of assault, abuse or isolation at school, simply because of the way they were born.”

The Equality Walk is a family-friendly event, which opens with a gathering in the Royal Pavilion Gardens.

To find out more or to register a team or as an individual walker, CLICK HERE:   

 

Kemptown MP to walk for equality

Simon Kirby, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, will be taking part in the annual Brighton Equality Walk, in support of Stonewall the LGB equality charity on May 11.

Simon Kirby, MP
Simon Kirby, MP for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven

It will be the fifth time that Simon has taken part in the Equality Walk which this year also marks the 25th Anniversary of Stonewall who over the years have successfully campaigned for the equalisation of the age of consent, the lifting of the ban on lesbians and gay men serving in the military, and for securing legislation to allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

This year’s Equality Walk will be raising money to help stamp out homophobic language in schools, and to help all children reach their full potential by feeling safe and comfortable in their classrooms.

Simon said: “Stonewall does so much for the rights of the LGBT community and I am pleased to again lend my support for this event. Any form of bullying is unacceptable and I hope this event will help make a real difference for children up and down the country.

“I am proud to be taking part in the Equality Walk again this year, and I congratulate Stonewall on reaching its 25th birthday. I know the money raised will go towards continuing the great work that Stonewall does for all those in the LGBT community, both young and old.”

To sponsor Simon, CLICK HERE: 

 

BRIGHTON PRIDE: Early bird parade registrations up on 2013!

On Saturday, August 2 the streets of Brighton & Hove will become a giant disco.

Brighton Pride

This years Pride parade entitled  The World’s A Disco promises to be the biggest ever with early bird parade registrations up by over 40% on the same time last year.

Light, love and laughter will reign supreme as the expected 160,000 participants and spectators get their groove on with Pride and dance their way through the streets of Brighton & Hove while all the time remembering the plight of LGBT people in countries such as Russia and Uganda where it is illegal to be homosexual.

The overall theme for Pride 2014 is Freedome to Live.

The response so far from community groups and businesses has been amazing.

The broad range of entries confirmed so far include:

The Actually Gay Men’s and Women’s Choruses, The Girl Guides, Brighton Housing Trust, Samba Pelo Mar – Whitstable Community Samba Band, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bear-Patrol, King of the Fringe, National Union of Teachers Southern Region, Allsorts Youth Project, Reaching Out Project – The Carers Centre for Brighton and Hove, Brighton and Hove Filipino Community, MindOut LGB&T Mental Health Project, Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust LGBT Network, NHS Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group, Mercedes-Benz and Smart, Out at Tesco and The Albert Kennedy Trust.

To register your Parade entry before the end of April for 10% early registration discount, CLICK HERE:

What: Brighton Pride LGBT Community Parade The World’s a Disco

Where: Marine Parade 11pm

When: Saturday, August 2, 2014

Brighton Pride 2013

Increase in cases of diarrhoea linked to school holidays and visits to petting farms

Every April, Public Health England (PHE) sees an annual rise in cases of a diarrhoeal illness caused by a bug called cryptosporidium.

Public Health England

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can be found in soil, water, food or on any surface that has been contaminated with human or animal faeces.

Anyone can get cryptosporidiosis but it is most common in children aged between one and five. The peak in cases in the spring is partly associated with children handling animals and feeding lambs at petting farms and not washing their hands properly afterwards.

To help avoid unnecessary illness PHE  is reminding everyone visiting farms to wash their hands thoroughly using soap and water after they have handled animals and before eating or drinking.

Between January and May 2013 there were eleven outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis associated with petting farms across England affecting around 150 people. Over the past 20 years, an average of around 80 cases of cryptosporidium infection linked to visits to petting farms have been reported to PHE each year.

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis are typically watery diarrhoea and stomach pains. There is no specific treatment for the illness which is usually self-limiting, although it is important that anyone with the illness keeps hydrated.

Cryptosporidium is only one of a number of bugs that can be found in a farm environment that can cause illness. Others include a strain of E. coli known as Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) and salmonella.

The seasonal increase in cases of VTEC linked to animal contact is usually between March and October. An infection with VTEC can cause a range of symptoms from mild gastrointestinal illness or in serious cases it can lead to bloody diarrhoea which can cause serious illness. Between 2010-2012 there were 40 people affected with VTEC linked to petting farms. There were no cases in 2013.

Dr Bob Adak, head of gastrointestinal diseases at PHE, said: “Around two million people visit farm attractions each year so the number of people who become ill is proportionally quite small. However, these cases of illness could be easily avoided by practicing good hand hygiene.

“Any contact with farm animals carries a risk of infection because of the microorganisms – or germs – they naturally carry which are invisible to the naked eye. People may be tempted to use hand gels and wipes during a farm visit and after touching animals but these are not suitable for removing the sort of germs found on farms and it is very important to remember not to rely on these for removing germs on the hands.

“By being aware and by doing these simple things we can help to avoid illness and enjoy a fun day out.”

Owners and managers of farm attractions are also strongly recommended to make use of the Industry Code of Practice on how to protect visitors and staff from illness, to ensure they are doing enough to comply with the law. Teachers and others who organise visits for children at farm attractions should be encouraged to read the guidance aimed at them and farms should ensure that they have adequate signage reminding visitors about the important of hand washing after touching the animals or their surfaces.

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