CONTACT:
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Sponsoring contact: fbellver@alwaysports.com
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Other questions: carla.rivera@visitvalencia.com
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Mark Ward's talk on 22-07-2025
Photo: courtesy of Beatrice Colbrant
Mark Ward’s talk last night was nothing short of extraordinary—a deeply emotional and courageous account that left the room stunned, moved, and inspired.
🩸 A Childhood Marked by Betrayal
Mark was infected with HIV and Hepatitis C as a child through contaminated blood products administered by Great Ormond Street Hospital, despite his parents’ wishes to keep him on safer treatment. The scandal, now recognized as one of the worst medical disasters in NHS history, saw thousands of haemophiliacs treated with blood from high-risk donors—often prisoners and sex workers—without proper screening. These children were effectively treated as guinea pigs, with little regard for their lives or futures.
💔 The Emotional Weight of the Scandal
As Mark recounted his story, the room was heavy with emotion. His vivid memories of being told he was HIV-positive at age 14—casually, almost cruelly—highlighted the systemic neglect and stigma he endured. He spoke of being isolated at school, labelled a “freak,” and denied the chance to simply be a child. Yet, through all this, he never lost his spirit.
✈️ Dreams That Took Flight
Despite being told he wouldn’t live past 18, Mark defied expectations. He joined British Airways at 16, living his dream of working in aviation until his health forced him into early retirement. His resilience and refusal to be defined by his diagnosis were palpable.
📣 From Survivor to Campaigner
Mark transformed his pain into purpose. He founded Haemosexual, a support network for LGBTQ+ individuals with bleeding disorders, and became the world’s first LGBTQ+ Ambassador for the UK Haemophilia Society. His activism has been relentless—appearing on television, addressing global conferences, and giving powerful testimony to the Infected Blood Inquiry.
⚖️ A Call for Justice
Mark’s story is not just personal—it’s political. He denounced the complicity of government and medical institutions, demanding retribution and accountability. His memoir Bleeding Fabulous captures this journey with wit, honesty, and heartbreak.
Last night, we didn’t just hear a story—we bore witness to a legacy of injustice and the indomitable will of a man who turned tragedy into advocacy. Mark Ward is not just a survivor; he’s a beacon for truth, dignity, and change.
Tuesday, 22 July 2025
Groups for LGBT+ over 50s in London
Groups for LGBT+ over 50s in London
Here are some of the groups that were run by Opening Doors that will continue with volunteers - please check with each contact
Friday Coffee Social
Venue: London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, 60-62 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH (a few doors along from Starbucks, opposite Founder's Arms pub)
Frequency and times: Every Friday, 1:00-3:00 pm
Hosts: Peter, Gerry, Derek and Jim
Free refreshments: No, but available to purchase on site at affordable prices (sober space)
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
London Friend Drop-In
Venue: London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road, King’s Cross, London N1 9DN
Frequency: Every second and fourth Wednesday, 12:30-2:30 pm
Hosts: Eve, Theo, Kunal + London Friend volunteers
Free refreshments: Yes (sober space)
London Friend
Walk-About, Talk-About, Pig-Out
Venue: Check with Tony about venue or Brixton Umbrella
Frequency: Every third Tuesday 12:30-2:30 pm (approx.)
Host: Tony Smith
Refreshments- various cafes depending on walk
Email Tony
Brixton Umbrella Circle
Rainbow Memory Café
Venue: (Online only)
Frequency: Every first Monday, 9:30-11:00 am + second Monday, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
Host: Maggie Martin
Free refreshments: n/a
Email Maggie
Rainbow Carers Group
Venue: (Online only)
Frequency: Every third Monday, 4:00-5:30 pm +
Host: Maggie Martin
Email Maggie
Hackney Art Group
Venue: Chigwell Court, 99 Ballance Road. London E9 5SQ
Frequency: Every first and third Wednesday, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Hosts: Philippa and Rod
Free refreshments: Yes (sober space)
Email Philippa
Email Rod
Singing For Fun
Venue: Mary Ward Centre, 275-285 High Street, Stratford, London E15 2TF
Frequency: Every Wednesday, 12:45 - 2:00 pm (until 27 March) + restarting on Wednesday 24 April - 10 July, 12:45 - 2:00pm, 12 weeks in total)
Hosts: Cici and Erica (Mary Ward Centre staff)
Refreshments to purchase on site (sober space)
Email Erica
Bi The Way
Venue: London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, 60-62 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH
Frequency: Every fourth Monday, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Hosts: Sophie and Mackenzie
Free refreshments: No, but available to purchase on site at affordable prices (sober space)
Email Sophie
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Trans and Non-Binary meet-up
Venue: London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, 60-62 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH
Frequency: Every third Thursday, 6:30 - 80:00 pm (FROM APRIL)
Hosts: Sara Lyon
Free refreshments: No, but available to purchase on site at affordable prices (sober space)
Email Sara
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Melanin Vybz (MV)
Venue: London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, 60-62 Hopton Street, London SE1 9JH
Frequency: Every third Friday, 5:30 - 7:30 pm (MV online will also continue in some form log in details will be sent on request)
Hosts: TBC
Free refreshments: No, but available to purchase on site at affordable prices (sober space)
London LGBTQ+ Community Centre
Women’s Film Club
Venue: Museum of the Home, 136 Kingsland Road, London E2 8EA
Frequency: Every third Tuesday at 6:00 pm (doors); 6:30 - 8:00 pm (film)
Hosts: Rowan, Eve and Francesca
Free refreshments: Yes, but you can also BYO alcohol
Greenwich Pub Social
Venue: Ye Olde Rose & Crown, 1 Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ER
Frequency: Every fourth Sunday, from 2:00 pm
Hosts: Kyle, Julian and Josh
Buy your drinks at the bar
Other Groups for LGBT Seniors in London - more to come - please contact the organisations direct
Brixton Umbrella Circle
Brixton Gossip Coffee Afternoon, every last Tuesday of the month, 12:00 - 2:00 pm @ Brixton House Theatre, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8GL
ELOP ELOP: 020 8509 3898
Weekly LGBT+ 50+ Social Meet-up: weekly, every Tuesday 4-5.45pm @ Toynbee Hall, 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS
East London Seniors: 07999 066295
East London Seniors
Chat & Coffee on Wednesday 11.00-13.00pm on 3rd Wednesdays and 2nd Tuesdays at 6.15-7.45pm at Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, London E15 1EL
Age UK Wandsworth: 020 8877 8947
Age UK Wandsworth
LGBTQ+ Coffee Mornings, every last or fourth Tuesday of the month, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm @ Gwynneth Morgan Day Centre, 52 East Hill, London SW18 5HJ
LGBT Hero
LGBT Hero
50+ HangOuts is a friendly and welcoming, twice monthly online social and support group for older LGBTQ+ people on Zoom, the second and last Tuesday of the month, 7pm - 8.30pm
West London LGBT Group
Check on Meet Up
Pub Meetup @ BeerKat, Ealing Broadway, 38-39 The Broadway, London W5 2NP
West London Queer project
visit website
Various activities available
Greater London Walks
visit website
Free historic walks for LGBT Silver Strollers - programme coming soon for 2024
Contact Paul Sinclair on 07815 009191
Redbridge Rainbow Community
visit website
'On the Move!' - Monthly walks starting in March 2024
Queer Circle
visit website
Various activities available @ Building 4, 3 Barton Yard, Soames Walk, Design District, North Greenwich, SE10 0BN
Pride Care London
visit website
Various services that include shopping, pet-care, maintenance and gardening
Call 07396 748625 for prices
The list is for information only - you need to contact the organisations above. The details and contacts were checked but could vary over time.
Email if there are any information errors on this page
Janus pathfinder event - Preparing for defence exports and international markets - Tuesday 29 July
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Monday, 21 July 2025
Non-Binary People’s Day: 12-20% more non-binary people at work
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