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Tuesday, 8 September 2026

Charity Member Spotlight: Impactful Lives

Supporting LGBTQ+ and Disabled Communities Across the Region

At Gay Professional Network, we are proud to showcase the work of our Charity Members who are making a real difference in our communities.

This month, we are highlighting Impactful Lives, Hertfordshire's largest LGBTQ+ charity, led by Alexandre Oliveira.



Alexandre joined GPN in June 2026 to speak about the charity's mission, the challenges facing LGBTQ+ people today, and the importance of creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive.

Creating Positive Change

Impactful Lives was established to preserve and protect the physical and mental wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people and disabled individuals.

The charity works across Hertfordshire, London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire, providing support, community connections and opportunities for people who may otherwise feel isolated.

Their work focuses on three key areas:

  • Tackling stigma, prejudice and discrimination affecting LGBTQ+ people.
  • Supporting LGBTQ+ disabled individuals through tailored services and advocacy.
  • Creating safe, welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can connect and flourish.

Building Community

One of the most powerful messages Alexandre shared with GPN members was that nobody should have to face life's challenges alone.

Whether someone is struggling with isolation, seeking friendship, looking for support, or simply wanting to meet others within an inclusive environment, Impactful Lives aims to provide a safe and supportive community.

Through events, support programmes, wellbeing initiatives and community activities, the charity helps individuals build confidence, resilience and meaningful connections.

Why Their Work Matters

Although significant progress has been made in recent decades, many LGBTQ+ people continue to face challenges relating to discrimination, mental health, loneliness and accessibility.

Impactful Lives addresses these issues by bringing people together, promoting understanding and ensuring that individuals can access support when they need it most.

Their commitment to inclusion extends across all aspects of their work, ensuring that disabled LGBTQ+ people are represented, supported and empowered.

Get Involved

If you would like to learn more about the charity's services, volunteer opportunities or community activities, we encourage you to visit their website.

Every connection, conversation and act of support helps create stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities.

Find out more about Impactful Lives:

👉 Visit the Impactful Lives website

Interested in Becoming a GPN Charity or Business Member?

GPN is proud to support organisations such as Impactful Lives by providing opportunities to connect with professionals, businesses, charities and community leaders across our growing network.

Tuesday, 18 August 2026

Special offer to a play performed by one of our members Paul Dennison (former Mr Gay England and Mr Gay Europe)

 



Message Body:
I am producing the play JERKER by Robert Chesley at Waterloo East this fall, from September 26th to October 18th in Central London, near Waterloo Tube Station. I would love to offer you £20 tickets for any non-premium seat to any performance. The play features both James Lee and internet personality and former Mr. Gay England and Mr. Gay Europe, Paul Dennison. Please reach out if have any questions via DM or Adam@RoebuckTheatrical.com https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/jerker Promo Code: ADAM20TIX

From the producer of F**king Men, Afterglow (2019), and Happy Ending comes the 40th anniversary production of “Jerker”, by Robert Chesley, alternatively titled “The Helping Hand, A Pornographic Elegy with Redeeming Social Value and A Hymn to the Queer Men of San Francisco in Twenty Telephone Calls, Many of them Dirty,” making its highly anticipated Waterloo East Theatre premiere this Autumn with a limited 3-week run from September 26. JERKER is a daring and seductive two-person drama about two strangers who connect through a series of late-night phone calls. What begins as an anonymous fantasy quickly sparks into something deeper. Hidden from each other’s sight, the men reveal secrets, fears, and longings through nothing but their voices. Each call pulls them further into an intimate world where imagination becomes a lifeline, where the line between fantasy and genuine connection blurs, raising the question of who they really are to one another. Playful, provocative, and unexpectedly tender, the play explores how intimacy can grow in isolation. It’s a steamy, suspenseful journey into desire, vulnerability, and the power of being heard. Jerker starts previews at London’s Waterloo East Theatre from Saturday, 26th September 2026. Press night is Tuesday, 29 September at 7.30 pm. The strictly limited season runs through Sunday, 18 October.



Strictly Limited Run from 26 Sept 2026

Adam Roebuck present

Jerker

by Robert Chelsey

From the producer of F**king Men, Afterglow (2019), and Happy Ending comes Robert Chesley's JERKER, a bold two-hander, making its highly anticipated Waterloo East Theatre premiere this Autumn,40 year after its acclaimed premier in San Francisco.

JERKER is a daring and seductive two-person drama about two strangers who connect through a series of late-night phone calls. What begins as anonymous fantasy quickly sparks into something deeper.

 

Hidden from each other’s sight, the men reveal secrets, fears, and longings through nothing but their voices. Each call pulls them further into an intimate world where imagination becomes a lifeline, where the line between fantasy and genuine connection begins to blur, raising the question of who they really are to one another.

 

By turns playful, provocative, and unexpectedly tender, the play explores how intimacy can grow in isolation. It’s a steamy, suspenseful journey into desire, vulnerability, and the power of being heard.

Cast:

JR - Paul Dennison 

Bert - James Lee

​JERKER is producedby special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc, NYC

www.broadwayplaypublishing.com

Copy of Copy of JERKER (1).jpg

Show Times:

Tues - Fri at 7.30pm

Sat - 4pm & 7.30pm

Sun - 2pm & 5pm

No Monday performances
Running time approx. 80 mins with NO interval 

Tickets from £25

Allocated seating. Strictly No Latecomers Admitted.

18+ Contains strong language.

Descriptive language of a sexual nature and nudity.



strengthen your digital sales, explore international opportunities and make the most of new trade agreements.

 

 

Hello,


This week, the Business Academy can help you strengthen your digital sales, explore international opportunities and make the most of new trade agreements.


Learn how to turn social media followers into customers, build a pitch that resonates with American buyers, and understand how to register with HMRC to ensure your exports to India qualify for preferential tariffs under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. Whether you're looking to grow your customer base at home or expand into new markets overseas, you'll find practical advice and expert guidance to support your next steps.


💼Running and growing a business

🌍️Selling overseas

💻Digital skills

Running and growing a business

Buying a Franchise: What you need to know before you commit
Tuesday 18 August | 10:00 - 11:00

Gain a practical framework to evaluate franchise opportunities and avoid common pitfalls.

 

Selling into enterprise: A practical guide for B2B SMEs
Thursday 20 August | 12:00 - 13:00

Learn how to win enterprise deals with a stronger proposition, multi-threaded selling, and the practical tools to speed up and close with confidence.

Selling overseas

From protection to valuation: Using IP to drive international growth

Monday 17 August | 10:00 - 11:00

Through real-world examples, the session will demonstrate the financial consequences of getting IP wrong and the opportunities created when it is structured properly.

 

From FTA to market entry: Navigating India's food and drink opportunity
Monday 17 August | 11:00 - 12:00

Discover how the UK-India FTA, India's booming premium food market, and rapidly growing quick-commerce channels are creating new opportunities for UK brands.

 

Don’t delay: Prepare to export under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement
Monday 17 August | 14:00 - 14:30

Act now to register with HMRC and ensure your UK exports to India qualify for preferential tariffs under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

 

Six steps to adapting your website for a global audience
Tuesday 18 August | 14:00 - 15:00

Learn the steps to take to ensure your website is accessible to UK and international customers alike.

 

Great British Pitch USA: How to pitch successfully to American buyers
Tuesday 18 August | 15:00 - 16:00

Learn how to refine your pitch, avoid common mistakes and get more from meetings with potential partners.

 

Working with customs agents and intermediaries
Wednesday 19 August | 11:00 - 12:00

Understand customs agent responsibilities, liability risks, and compliance best practice for traders.

 

Discover opportunities in Mongolia: Spotlight on mining and critical minerals
Thursday 20 August | 10:00 - 11:00

Explore opportunities in Mongolia's critical minerals sector.

Digital skills

Align AI with your business strategy
Thursday 20 August | 10:00 - 11:00

Learn how to identify the most valuable AI opportunities, prioritise projects based on business impact, and create a roadmap that supports sustainable adoption.

 

Converting followers into customers
Friday 21 August | 10:00 - 11:00

Find out how to reap the rewards of good social engagement by turning those likes into paying customers.

 

ℹ️ Remember that if you can't join a live event, as long as you sign up you will have access to a recording of the session in your business.gov account for up to 4 weeks after.

Business Academy Team | Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade

 

 

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