As a community, pride is a time for us to connect, celebrate, reflect, and continue pushing for change. Despite this, pride can be a challenging and emotional time for a variety of reasons, but we are here if you need us.

Over the weekend, our services and support staff will be on hand providing a range of activities to make sure our community members are able to access the support and safe spaces they need.

We expect anyone attending to agree to our Safer Spaces Policy.

In person support - Friday 26 August (Pride Friday)

#SafetyWins Recovery programme support | 4pm-9pm | LGBT Foundation Community Hub, Fairbairn House

Come in for a chat about how best to stay safe over Pride. Get the Information that's right for you all and tips for a sober or a less messy celebration.

Hosted in association with our partners Change Grow Live.

In person support - Saturday 27 August (Pride Saturday)

Domestic Abuse Safety Support | 11am - 3pm | LGBT Foundation Community Hub, Fairbairn House

An appointment based service offering support, safety planning and onward referrals for anyone concerned about Domestic Abuse during/after Pride.

Book a slot by emailing [email protected]

Wellbeing @ Whitworth | 5pm - 9pm | Whitworth Locke

Come in for a chat about how best to stay safe over Pride. Get the Information that's right for you all and tips for a sober or a less messy celebration.

Hosted in association with our partners Change Grow Live.

In person support - Monday 29 August (Pride Monday)

Domestic Abuse Safety Support | 11am - 2pm | LGBT Foundation Community Hub, Fairbairn House

An appointment based service offering support, safety planning and onward referrals for anyone concerned about Domestic Abuse during/after Pride.

Book a slot by emailing [email protected]

Support available across the Pride weekend

Welcome Angels - Pride Welcome Team

Our Angels are the friendly face of Pride this year and will be there to make sure you are treated with the respect you deserve.

Friday - 6pm until 12am
Saturday - 12pm until 12am
Sunday - 12pm until 12am
Monday - 12pm until 6pm

Free Condoms and Lube

Our Condom and Lube distribution will be in full swing across the weekend. Pick up free safer sex packs from bars and venues across Canal Street and the Gay Village.

Extended Helpline opening hours - 0345 3 30 30 30

Our helpline will be operating across the weekend to ensure there's a friendly voice waiting for you if you need it. Our helpline team can offer emotional support, signposting and advice for those who need it.

Friday - 9am until 9pm
Saturday 10am until 9pm
Sunday - 10am until 9pm
Monday - 9am until 9pm

Please note if you are in need of emergency services please call 999 instead.

App support - Friday and Saturday evening | 7pm until 9pm

We'll be providing online support via LGBTQ+ apps. Get in touch for sexual health advice and support, includes signposting and emotional support

A message from our Services and Delivery Team

We are aware pride can be a difficult time for a number of people especially those who may be on their own recovery journey or those who may be experiencing domestic abuse. Due to this, we want to share some key safety tips to support you throughout this time:

• Pride is a full weekend – so pace yourself – you don’t have to keep up with others- ask yourself if you really need another drink or dose.
• Plan ahead – do you know how you are getting home? Have a time you want to finish by? Do your friends know your plan? Do you have somewhere to go if you need a break?
• It’s important to check in with friends - Let people know what you are using and how much – look after each other. Never delay in getting help if someone is displaying signs of overdose.
  
• If you hook up or decide to leave, make sure your friends know where you are going – share your location via your phone and make sure you have plenty of battery.
  
• Remember that you can change your mind even if you have accepted drugs or sex from someone- consent should not be assumed and you need to consent for each interaction and for each person.
  
• Get your drugs tested and check out any alerts – Mandrake are on site during the weekend testing drugs- check their twitter page for any alerts about dodgy drugs going around @MANDRAKE_LAB
  
• Don’t leave drinks unattended or smoke something if you are not sure who rolled it- Make sure you know exactly what you are using. Pour your own!
  
• Make sure to eat regularly and stay hydrated – if you want a snack why not check out our community café space.
  
• If you are trying something new, do your research, take a little and see how it goes, you can always take more but you can’t untake it! Be aware of the dangers of mixing drink and drugs.
  
• Make sure you know the signs of overdose for the drugs you and friends are using, with some drugs it may be over heating or paranoia for other drugs such as GBL, signs include snoring loudly and being difficult to rouse.

If you are currently in an abusive relationship/situation, think about what you can do to keep yourself safe, particularly at times when you sense the situation is escalating.

• Let trusted friends, family or neighbours know about the abuse if possible.
• Have a code word that you can use with someone you trust by phone or text so they know you are in danger and need help.

• If at home, plan and practice how you might escape safely and quickly.

• If possible, keep weapons and knives locked up or inaccessible (e.g. remove knife-blocks from kitchen benches).

• Program the Police or a trusted person’s number into the speed dial on your phone.

If you are planning to leave:

• Hide a bag with clothes, medication, keys and other important items that you can either exit with easily or leave with someone you trust.

• If possible, put aside some money for travel expenses and temporary accommodation (i.e. a hotel)

During a night out:

• If you are out and feel like you are in an unsafe situation, approach a member of bar or medical staff and ‘ASK FOR ANGELA’. They will be able to get you out of the situation safely and discreetly.

• If trying to avoid the abuser, do not show your location on dating apps and think about blocking.

• Remember, risk can escalate when drugs or alcohol are being used. Plan where you will go and how you will get there in case you need to leave in a hurry.

If you are in need of immediate support you can also contact the following helplines:

Samaritans (24 hours a day)

Phone: 116 123

http://www.samaritans.org/branches/manchester-and-salford-samaritans

Saneline (6pm-11pm every day of the year)

Phone: 0300 304 7000

http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline/

Childline (for young people up to 19)

https://www.childline.org.uk/about/about-childline/

If you feel you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 999.