Brighton & Hove Police have donated £1,500 to the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum to fund the hire of a High Dependency mobile Unit (HDU) at Pride this summer.
The unit incorporates many facilities for disabled people including a tracking hoist, height-adjustable changing couch, support hand rails for ease of movement, and emergency call alarm.
Last summer over 200 people used the HDU, including children, people with medical needs, attendees with physical and hidden disabilities and those needing a safe place to change their clothes. The HDU also has features such as a full length mirror and basin with running water, allowing trans people to change in the park, who would otherwise be too fearful to dress publicly for the first time.
It is hoped even more people can made use of the HDU this summer and that LGBT people who otherwise would feel unable to access the event are now able to.
Billie Lewis, Chair of the LGBT Community Safety Forum, said: “It’s brilliant that the Police have decided to support the access needs of the community at Pride. The HDU will play a significant role within the community area at Preston Park ensuring that those who need our support the most will get it. It will also change the way people access their Pride on the day. The facility at the Access Tent shared with the Trans* Community Area and the Family Area will draw different people together for the first time. We are deeply passionate about this project and thank the Police for their support.”
Rory Smith, LGBT Liaison for Brighton & Hove Police, said: “I am thrilled that for a second year Sussex Police are able to contribute to the accessibility of Pride by supporting the financing of a HDU at the Access Tent. Pride is a place for all LGBT to be open and celebrate who they are”.
The donation comes from the Police Property Act Fund (PPAF), made up of monies received by the police from property confiscated by order of the court and then sold.