martha

The Launch of our Walking Group

May 10, 2013 in Uncategorized

The Launch of the LGBT Walking Group

Walking

Saturday 18th May 12:00

There are many studies that have proven that walking improves people’s overall well-being and helps fight depression. Just being in the outdoors in green natural spaces is beneficial to your mental health and walking in a group can help even more. The walking group will start on Saturday 18 May, meeting at Darlington Street at 12 noon for free tea, coffee and soft drinks before setting off on our first walk.

Some of the benefits:

  • Walking, like other physical activities, releases endorphins which improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

 

  • Regular walking improves sleep patterns.
  • Regular physical activity is effective in treating mild and moderate depression – and has positive rather than negative side effects.
  • Walking in a group is a sociable activity that can help improve mental health.
  • Spending time in the outdoors and in contact with the natural environment – for example by walking in parks, woodland and green spaces – can have a positive effect on mental health. See the Mind Report on Ecotherapy
  • Feeling fitter and controlling weight helps improve our body image and confidence.

 

www.mind.org.uk/help/ecominds/mental_health_and_the_environment

email info@lgbtwolverhampton.org.uk or call 01902 425 092 for more information

martha

Mental Health Self Support Group

May 10, 2013 in Uncategorized

Mental Health Self Support Group Launch

Hands

Tuesday 14th May 12:30 pm

It is hoped that this group will provide the following benefits:

Mutual Support and fun

  • An opportunity to talk to other people who have ‘been there’
  • An opportunity to give as well as receive help
  • Swapping and learning new ways to deal with problems
  • Gaining inspiration from others
  • Taking an active role in health and recovery
  • A reduction in isolation for some of us
  • An increase in social opportunities/ social circle
  • Increased self-esteem and self-confidence

But how the group develops will be down to its members – if you are interested in joining there will be an initial meeting with a free lunch at the Network offices on Tuesday 14 May at 12.30 email Martha@lgbtwolverhampton.org.uk or call 01902 425 092 for more information.

martha

Mental Health Awareness Week 2013

May 10, 2013 in Uncategorized

Mental Health Awareness Week 2013

MHW

 

 Starting Mon 13 May

Studies show that LGBT people report higher levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal feelings than the general population. This is not surprising as many LGBT people have experienced:

  • hostility or rejection from family, parents and friends
  • bullying and name calling at school
  • rejection by most mainstream religions
  • danger of violence in public places
  • harassment from neighbours and other tenants
  • casual homophobic comments on an everyday basis
  • embarrassed responses and sometimes prejudice from professionals, such as GPs
  • no protection against discrimination at work until recently
  • negative portrayal of gay people in the media

In 2008, the New Economics Foundation was commissioned by the UK Government to identify a set of evidence-based actions to improve well-being, which individuals would be encouraged to build into their daily lives. The Five Ways to Wellbeing came from this research.

Five Ways to Wellbeing

Connect…With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

Keep learning…Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Give…Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

http://www.neweconomics.org/projects/five-ways-well-being

In response to this the Network plans to start two projects during Mental Health Awareness Week:

A Mental Health Self Support Group

And a Walking Group

 

martha

International Day Against Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 17 May

May 8, 2013 in Life Gets Better Together, Press & Media, Projects & Events

IDAHO International Day Against Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia 17 May

Rainbow Wolvo

LGBT History is being made in Wolverhampton!

For the 1st time ever, on May 17th, Wolverhampton City Council will be flying the Rainbow Flag to show their support for the local LGBT Community. On the same day, Wolverhampton University will be flying a 25ft long Rainbow banner, as well as handing out Rainbow ribbons in the Student Union, and will be hosting a Rainbow Picnic in West Park if the weather’s nice (or in the Student Union if it’s raining). Wolverhampton LGBT Network will be continuing its ‘Secret Shopper’ survey and will be handing out Rainbows for supportive City Centre shops to display in their windows, so 17th May promises to be a very colourful day!

Why not join us and show your support by wearing a Rainbow?

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, IDAHO, is recognised in over 60 countries worldwide. It is held on 17th May as this was the date, in 1990, that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of Mental Disorders. It is a great opportunity to challenge Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and to celebrate Diversity.

If you feel that you have been a victim of Homophobia, Biphobia or Transphobia there are a number of organisations available to help and support you, so feel free to contact Wolverhampton LGBT Network for more information on 01902 425092 or email us at: info@lgbtwolverhampton.org.uk

martha

Award Nominations

May 1, 2013 in Funding, Newsletters, Press & Media, Projects & Events

Diamond award

Thank you to those that nominated us for the West Midlands Police Diamond Award. Unfortunately we did not win it this year. The award recognises police officers and staff who have gone the extra mile, as well as good citizens who have worked with the force to help make their communities safer. Your nomination shows us that the LGBT Network has support out there and lets Wolverhampton’s LGBT community know that we are there for them.

LGBT Network Wolverhampton

National Diversity Awards Nominations

However the National Diversity Awards are still open for nominations until 19th July 2013. We have already received a few nominations but should you feel we deserve recognition then please feel free to also nominate us and help the LGBT Network Wolverhampton fly the Flag for our community.

http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/#/nominate-here/4554239214

martha

Pride 2013 date announced

March 25, 2013 in Press & Media, Projects & Events

Pride 2013 Logo

The LGBT Network Wolverhampton is proud to announce that Wolverhampton and Black Country Pride will be held on Sunday 28th July 2013. Tickets will be on sale soon with an Early Bird discount.

The Tickets will be £5.00 each on the day with Early Bird prices Starting at £4.00. These will soon be available on line and details of how to get them will be announced on our Facebook pages and Twitter account.

So keep your eyes peeled on Facebook:-

https://www.facebook.com/#!/LGBTWolverhampton

Twitter

https://twitter.com/lgbtwolves

 

martha

Proud and Loud Radio show

March 18, 2013 in Uncategorized

LGBT on the City

 

Don’t Forget people, Proud and Loud. Wolverhamptons very own LGBT Radio Show on WCR FM 101.8 every Friday from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. You can also listen online or even on your Smartphone. See you there.

You can also follow the Shows Facebook Page with updates, news and you can even contact us for requests etc.

https://www.facebook.com/proudandloudradio

 

 

martha

Wolverhampton is getting more colourful.

March 4, 2013 in Uncategorized

Here at the Network we have noticed that there are Rainbow stickers appearing all over Wolverhampton town centre. What are they for? Who put them there? Were are the coming from?

Watch this space because we are determined to get to the bottom of this and will keep you posted.

martha

New LGBT Choir

February 25, 2013 in Newsletters, Projects & Events

Brand new LGBT community choir in Wolverhampton

Come and enjoy a free taster session, Every Saturday, 3.30pm – 5pm

All songs taught by ear, no need for experience.

Broad range of songs.

LGBT Network Wolverhampton,

Old Bank Chambers,

4 Salop Street,

Wolverhampton WV3 0RX

Email: info@lgbtwolverhampton.org.uk

Call us on 01902 425 092

martha

Donations Welcome

February 21, 2013 in Funding, Press & Media, Projects & Events

Here at the LGBT Network Wolverhampton, We pride ourselves for the services and support we provide the LGBT Community in and around Wolverhampton.

These services, however run at a cost. While some funding is received from various local sources, this does not cover all the expenses. Therefore We have now provided you with an opportunity to help us. You can now give a donation to the LGBT Network through Paypal. This can be done quite easily through the Donate button on the Donate page on the menu at the top of this site.

Thank you.

Charity Number: 1150484