Working to Connect – The LGBT Small Groups Network held its first public Annual General Meeting on Saturday June 10 at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church.
Cllr. Pete West, Mayor of Brighton & Hove 2016-17 opened the widely advertised meeting.
Working to Connect brings together smaller local LGBT and HIV community groups and charities in order to network, work in collaboration, support each other, and to develop organisational capacity.
Over the last year Working to Connect has also delivered infrastructure support to member groups in partnership with Community Works.
Seventeen groups are currently members, with an open invitation for others to apply for membership. Along with the business of the meeting, an account was given of the last year’s work which has been diverse, needs-led, and highly beneficial for participants of the network and the wider community.
Smaller LGBT+ and HIV community groups and charities deliver a range of much needed, effective, well used services and activities; not provided anywhere else for the LGBT+ community.
They are fundamentally based on the fullest participation of volunteers from the community they serve, collectively giving thousands of hours each year of hard work, professionalism, good-will, commitment, and enthusiasm.
Reflecting on the achievements of the network, and the essential need for smaller community groups and charities, Cllr. Pete West, said: “The Network is delivering great work across the City, bringing together the smaller LGBT and HIV groups – learning, gaining support from each other and delivering important services.
This gives the small groups a bigger collective voice, which is especially important.
It is National Volunteers Week, and we should cherish volunteers. People get so much positive personal experience from volunteering. Working To Connect actively supports the Council’s Volunteering Strategy so I would like to thank you for that. I wish you all continued success for the future.”
For more details about Working to Connect and member groups, how to join, and news from the AGM, click here: