Category: volunteers

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Thank You For Making Levenshulme Pride 2021 Possible

Thank you.
 
Thank you to everyone who made Levenshulme Pride such an amazing success this year. Our comeback was driven by our whole community and we created a wonderful weekend together.
 
We had dozens of venues and locations, activities and events, and stuck firm to our commitment that everything is free to attend.
 
Despite reservations about what would be possible this year we were bigger than ever. Our range of activities was expanded including a cabaret, poetry and spoken word, drag acts, DJs, live music, workshops, peer support group, community dementia group Pride Party, 4km run, bike ride, drag workout sessions and swimming, film screenings, food and drink offers, karaoke, dog show, community and information stalls, an art show and market, crafting, open mic night, a vigil and of course our march turning the A6 into the Gay6. Particular thanks to the police for their support including appropriately providing a panda car at the end of our march.
 
Our tagline of Levenshulme Pride: No Barriers works on multiple levels – economic, social, physical, cultural – to represent the principles of Levenshulme Pride as an open, inclusive, welcoming event that truly builds community cohesion, understanding and participation.
 
None of this would be possible without the support of sponsors, advertisers, performers, volunteers, supporters, community groups, individuals and LGBT+ organisations who partnered with us (including the LGBT Foundation providing safe sex packs, health advice and support). Thank you to the people and businesses of our wonderful community with a special mention to our main sponsor, The Levenshulme.
 
We are Pride with a Purpose. We are a People’s Pride. Thank you to everyone who made Levenshulme Pride possible including, of course, everyone who came along, took part and helped make Levenshulme Pride so special.
 
On a personal note thank you to my partner Paul Magrs who has not only been incredibly patient, understanding and supportive but also performed with an amazing cabaret routine introducing Panda, the Cat and the dreadful Teddy to the world, and provided the fabulous artwork for Levenshulme Pride.
 
We will be holding other activities through the year but dates for the future for our main Levenshulme Pride event are:
  • 12-14 August 2022
  • 11-13 August 2023.
Jeremy Hoad
Levenshulme Pride Organiser
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Manchester Parents’ Group receives Queen’s Award

We are thrilled and delighted that Manchester Parents Group has won the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. MPG has been a Levenshulme Pride partner and participant since our first year and will be familiar to many people from their work across Manchester, the North West and beyond over many years.

Founded in 1986, the group is one of the longest established parent support groups in the UK. Offering advice and support to parents, carers, family and friends of children (of all ages) who have come out as LGBT+ to enable them to accept and move forward together. The group also support the LGBT+ community in continuing the fight for equality, both in the UK and across Europe, and provide a safe haven for youngsters who are struggling to come out to family and friends or have been rejected by them. You can find out more about Manchester Parents Group HERE

Manchester Parents Group’s Chair, Barbara Spence says:

“We are delighted that this culmination of many years’ work has been recognised, we would particularly like to pay tribute to Catherine Johnson, the late Joyce Leyland and the late Brenda Oakes all of who led Manchester Parents Group from its inception. We would also like to thank the group of volunteers for their commitment, over the years, in supporting the work of the group.”

Manchester Parents Group is one of 230 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them. 

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. 

Representatives of Manchester Parents Group will receive the award from Sir Warren Smith, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from Manchester Parents Group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, along with other recipients of this year’s Award.

This year there were 230 recipients of The Queen’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK. More information on the recipients and the Award can be found HERE

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Manchester Bee Proud Awards

Why not nominate a person or a group in Levenshulme for a Be Proud Award to recognise and celebrate people who make a difference in our community?

The Manchester Be Proud Awards close at midnight on Sunday 9th September.

Nominations can be made HERE

“This is our chance to celebrate the volunteers and unsung heroes who work hard to make ‘Our Manchester’ so great. We know that these groups and individuals make a big difference in our communities and help to make Manchester the thriving, friendly and buzzing city it is. Be Proud is our chance to say a big “thank you” and celebrate their work.

Do you know a group of people or a person who really stands out in your local community? Show you appreciate all they do by nominating them in this year’s Be Proud Awards.

This year there are twelve categories to choose from, and our lucky finalists and their nominator will be invited to a glittering gala dinner and award ceremony in November, held at the beautiful Midland Hotel.

Roll out the red carpet, sound the fanfare and get nominating your unsung heroes and dedicated volunteers!”