ELOP

eConnect The latest news from elop for October 2021                                                                                   elop News  Scroll through this edition to find information about our forthcoming Peace Walk,  what is happening in all of our groups and a spotlight on services for those who have experienced domestic abuse, domestic violence and hate crimes. .  *****NEWS FLASH*****last few spaces remaining Following our recent successful open event, we have just a few places left on our new, first of its kind in the UK, LGBT+ Affirmative Counselling Skills Foundation Course.  This is open to LGBT+ community and allies who are interested in starting a career in counselling, developing counselling skills or wanting to improve their skills in working with LGBT+ people.   You can email training@elop.org for an application pack & further information. Booking closes first week in October.  Our Head of Counselling Service took part in a 5K forest run as part of our exercise for elop campaign, and there is still time to support her fundraising efforts for elop and help the continuation of elop services.  Click here to find out more, give your support and make a donation. We have been out and about this month, both in person and online including attending freshers' fayres to provide information on elop's services and spoken at a Royal College of Nursing event.      LGBT+ Affirmative Counselling Skills Course elop is offering a new counselling course in LGBT+ Affirmative Counselling Skills, and is taking bookings now. This foundation level course is suitable for anyone who is interested in a starting career in counselling or for those who want to develop counselling skills to enhance their work with LGBT+ people. At the heart of the course is LGBT+ experience and all teaching and practice sessions embed LGBT+ affirmative practice; highlighting intersectional identities. This course is suitable for newcomers to the counselling field and marks the beginning for elop's training in LGBT+ affirmative, inclusive and integrative counselling and serves as a pathway to elop's future 3-year professional counselling qualification.  Course begins on 19th October 2021  Contact elop's Training and Education service at training@elop.org for further details                                           Mental Health Support We are providing support for people who have experienced hate crimes, domestic abuse or sexual violence.  If your mental health has been impacted through your past experience of domestic abuse, sexual violence or hate crimes then you may find our Heads-Out Service useful.  Our wellness workshops on Mondays are designed around common mental health concerns that you may be still experiencing, such as  fear, lack of acceptance and compassion for yourself and boundaries.  In addition, our mental health plans can provide individualised care planning, focused on supporting your recovery and building your resilience and are an easy, practical way to support your mental health by creating a plan that is tailor made for you.  Email mentalhealth@elop.org for more info. During September we started a trauma support group working with those who have experienced sexual abuse or violence.  This group is currently closed but if you would be interested in joining a group from  January 2022 then email mentalhealth@elop.org Mental Health Workshops Monday 4th October     Fear, Courage, and Bravery Have you noticed fear has been more present in your life recently? Join us in this session to reconnect with your courage and use it to continue to confront your fears.   Monday 18th October  Acceptance and Compassion In this workshop we will examine the ways in which we can foster acceptance and compassion for ourselves, especially during times of difficulty.    Monday 25th October  Boundaries and Relationships Experienced domestic abuse or violence and finding it hard to maintain boundaries? Join us to find ways to identify what boundaries are important for you and how to set and maintain them. All our workshops particularly welcome people who have experienced any form of hate. email mentalhealth@elop.org to join these                                         ReCharge: Weekly Online LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Group Fridays 11am - 1230pm ReCharge offers a weekly space and facilitated opportunity to check-in and meet up with other LGBTQ+ people who have or are experiencing difficulties with their mental health. To share our  experiences, support each other through the ups and downs, celebrate achievements, access resources, tools and learn strategies to help us stay safe and well as we move forward to achieve our goals.  email mentalhealth@elop.org for the link Weekly Social Groups Our programme of FREE supportive groups offers you a safe place to be together, make new friends, explore, and articulate yourselves individually and as a community. We run groups for young adults (18-25), older adults (over 50), for asylum seekers, for LBT women, for LGBT+ families and an over 18's social support group  email  events@elop.org to sign up to any group   LBT Womxn's Group meeting weekly online now taking place on Thursday's 7.00 - 8.30 pm open to all lesbian+, bisexual+ and trans+ women, and we particularly welcome those who have experienced previous domestic abuse or sexual violence Oct 7       A focus on healthy relationships; what do they look like for you.  Oct 14     Relationship red flags &  green flags:  Oct 21     Who are you? how well do you know yourself  Oct 28     Bringing and being all of you: a focus on identity   email events@elop.org to join    18-25 LGBTQ+ Online Social Group. Meets twice a month every 2nd & 4th Monday 7-8:30pm. Join our welcoming, relaxed & inclusive space to meet with others, enjoy activities & talk all things LGBTQ+. Themes this month include celebrating black history month & the top 10 best and worst queer TV storylines of all time: Group dates 11th & 25th October email events@elop.org to join    Monday LGBT+ Over 50 Social Group  Every Monday 1.00 - 2.30pm Join our fun, friendly and non-judgemental safe space to meet new people and discuss LGBT+ topics.  Click here to register   Tuesdays   These weekly meet-ups are a sanctuary for LGBTQ+ youth to come together in a welcoming and supportive environment to share, have some fun and learn skills to grow into independent, positive, and productive adults.   email  youth@elop.org for more information  12-15s                                                  15-18's                                                     5pm - 6.30pm                                                           7pm - 8.30pm   Our Family Activities are continuing to be held outside in October and we are planning another trip to a city farm this month.    More information will be sent to our parents mailing list Join our parents mailing list if you are not currently on it to get more information  email events@elop.org   Events    Tower Hamlets Peace Walk As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week from 9th – 16th October 2021, the Tower Hamlets LGBT+ Community Forum are leading a Peace Walk in the borough to bring together communities and organisations representing those who experience hate crime and our allies. When: Friday 15th October 2021 Time: 2.15 – 6.00pm Where: Meeting at Shaheed Minar Memorial in Altab Ali Park and walking to St John’s Church, Bethnal Green. Click here to sign up Trans Parent Day Event Thursday 4th November  Online  elop is organising a Trans Parent Day Panel Discussion Event in celebration of National Trans Parent Day on November 7th 2021 6.30pm  We are looking for a trans parent to speak on the panel Please get in touch if you would like to register your interest in speaking on the panel   Click here to get in touch Relationship Counselling  Problems in relationships can be complicated, that's why we launched a new relationship counselling service. If you are struggling in your relationship, are dealing with a change in boundaries or dynamics, or finding it difficult to connect, relationship therapy can help you to better hear and communicate with each other. Our LGTBQ+ counselling team are respectful of all genders, sexual and relationship diversities. Whatever you bring to the sessions we will discuss in a non-judgemental, confidential and sensitive way and work through with encouragement, knowledge and understanding. email counselling@elop.org to access this support As with our individual counselling service, we ask for a contribution towards the cost of service which is based on your joint income.    Volunteering Opportunities elop is currently looking for additional volunteer group facilitators to support our online social spaces for the following groups:                           LBT Womxn           Thursday's 7.00 - 8.30pm                        GBT Men               Wednesday nights 7.00 - 8.30pm Trans and non binary group facilitators to set up and run a weekly or monthly group We are also looking for people to join our fundraising and befriending teams. Email  volunteer@elop.org for more information and an application pack. Other Services & Events           National Hate Crime Awareness Week   9th - 16th October   About 17-24-30 NationalHCAW 17-24-30 was initially founded as a Facebook group in March 2009 by Mark Healey and Ryan Parkins to mark the 10th anniversary of the London Nail Bomb attacks on Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho. 17-24-30 takes it's name from the dates of the three attacks; 17th April, 24th April and 30th April. Since April 2010 we have organised the three April Acts of Remembrance. Two smaller outreach events in Brixton and Brick Lane on the 17th and 24th April, and a larger gathering in Soho on the 30th April. Events:  9th Oct - Start of the national week 10th Oct - Service at St Paul's Cathedral 11th Oct - GateHerts event 15th Oct - Tower Hamlets Peace Walk run by elop (Tower Hamlets LGBT Community Forum) 16th Oct - Sutton LGBT Hate Crime Event 17th Oct - International Day of Hope and Remembrance                      The My Beautiful Laundrette Rainbow Plaque has been Unveiled! Wandsworth LGBTQ+ Forum and Studio Voltaire (with support from Wandsworth Oasis, Lambeth Council and Clapham Picturehouse) unveiled London's 2nd Rainbow Plaque dedicated to the film, My Beautiful Laundrette. The plaque has been installed opposite at 11 Wilcox Road, Vauxhall SW8 (the location of where Powders laundrette was based) by the films, screenwriter - Hanif Kuershi, director - Stephen Frears and lead actor, Gordon Warnecke.  Rainbow plaques are designed to make hidden moments in LGBTQ+ history visible. They can be to celebrate and remember a person, film, song or indeed a venue that has a significant meaning in the LGBTQ+ Community.                            "GLF at 50: the Art of Protest" Exhibition   MONDAY 4 OCTOBER – QUEER CHINA – SOLIDARITY NOW (book here) Film screenings, talks and artwork from Queer China UK - a social incubator aiming to empower Chinese-speaking LGBTQ+ and feminist communities.  MONDAY 11 OCTOBER – ISLINGTON’S PRIDE (book here) A celebration and conversation exploring Islington’s rich and radical queer heritage and identity – past, present and future. MONDAY 18 OCTOBER – NORTH, SOUTH, EAST & WEST WHEREVER YOU LIVE GAY IS BEST (book here) A celebration and exploration of the Gay Liberation Front communes that populated all four of London’s compass points – places for activists to share food, clothes, money, ideas and lovers. MONDAY 25 OCTOBER – DRAG: POWER & POLITICS (book here) Hosted by drag superstar Crystal, this event will celebrate and explore the role drag has played and can play in radical and direct protest action.    Research     Intermate Partner Violence  / Abuse Study     Calling all men who have sex with/are attracted to men. Have you faced intimate partner violence/abuse? Get involved in research which explores your experiences by taking part in an anonymous survey by the University of East London - https://tinyurl.com/ipvstudy      This study is looking for:   Do you identify as a man (or male):   Are you attracted to and/or have sex with other men (this could be gay, bisexual, queer or questioning)    Are you over the age of 18   Have experienced intimate partner violence in a previous relationship with another man (over 1 year ago)    You can support us by shopping at Amazon and it won't cost you a penny. Simply click on the image!  Copyright © 2021, ELOP. All rights reserved. Our mailing address and registered office is: ELOP Centre, 56-60 Grove Road, London, E17 9BN info@elop.org 07908 553744 http://www.elop.org Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.             Registered Charity 1067474         Company Limited by Guarantee 3355423 Raise money every time you search the web. Everyclick is a great new search engine. It works just like other major search engines but it also generates cash charity. Just make Everyclick.com your homepage and raise money for ELOP whenever you search the web. It's easy!  http://www.everyclick.com/elop/329566/0

Westminster LGBT Forum

 

Westminster LGBT+ Forum October 2021 Issue #1

Dear Jean-Francois Welcome to the latest e-news from Westminster LGBT+ Forum

Autumn is the season for brisk walks in the parks and around the city. Since Covid restrictions continue to apply to group numbers allowed into Museums and Galleries, October is the perfect month to join one of our ‘Meet & Mingle Safely’ events.

Frieze Art Fair - Sculpture Trail English Gardens

Wednesday 6 October at 2.30 p.m. Frieze is a world class International Art Fair and Chris Barlow, Co-Chair (Elect) will give a brief commentary on the sculptures as you take a stroll around the beautiful Regent's Park. Meet for this free event from 2.15 p.m. at Park Square East by the Royal College of Physicians. The lovely May Webber of Regent’s Park Community Team will be meeting up with us. Tea and cake will be had afterwards (café prices apply). Places are limited, so if you wish to attend please text Chris on 07958 257541 or email cbarlow5000@gmail.com

National Hate Crime Awareness Week

9 to 16 October 2021 A Service of Hope and Remembrance is being held at 5.30 p.m.on Sunday 10 October at St Paul’s Cathedral. This is a free event but you need to Register in order to attend. This is a time to reflect on the increasingly disturbing levels of Hate Crime and how we can all make a difference. You can report hate crimes online. Diana James is the newly appointed Police Liaison Lead for the Forum and will advise on hate crime matters.

Queer Britain

Wednesday 20 October at 6.30 p.m. At our next meeting for Members, Joe Galliano, founder of Queer Britain LGBTQ+ Museum, will be sharing the latest news about this exciting project. It will be held at Soho Square Health Centre, 1 Frith Street, W1D 3HZ. If you plan to attend please email friends@westminsterlgbtforum.org using Queer Britain as the heading.

Hating Peter Tatchell

Monday 1 November at 9 p.m. A limited number of free tickets are available for a screening at Curzon Soho of the Netflix documentary ‘Hating Peter Tatchell’ which shows how his 54 years of activism began and highlights the vital role of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. If you'd like to attend, text Chris on 07958 257541 or email cbarlow5000@gmail.com

Please Support Us

If you wish to see the Forum continue, we desperately need your support and invite you to become a regular donor. Even a one-off donation will help. The collection of donations uses a secure system that offers payment via PayPal, Credit or Debit card. Please Support Us Now

Other News and Events can be found on our website.

We hope you like our new style newsletter which contains fewer items. It will be issued twice a month with the latest ‘Meet & Mingle Safely' events organised by our partner Outings in Art.

Exciting plans to grow membership of the Forum and the events programme are in the process of being discussed.

Westminster LGBT+ Forum www.westminsterlgbtforum.org

Westminster LGBT+ Forum