LGBTQ+ support group who met regularly in Plungington starting in-person meetings again

The inclusive LGBTQ+ group are starting in-person meet ups again. Pic: Spring into Action

Spring into Action, a community interest company that provides quality inclusive activities, and who runs Meet N Match, a friendship and dating agency for adults with a learning disability and/or autism are looking forward to supporting their LGBTQ+ support group to meet up over lunch next week in Preston.

The LGBTQ+ group used to meet regularly at Plungington Community Centre before Covid hit.

Over the past 16 months, the group have diversified and moved over to Zoom, recognising that people still needed that much valued support, chance to chat with their peers and have some social contact during a really difficult time.

In March, the group organised a Virtual Pride Event to celebrate diversity and tolerance together.

Partygoers had the chance to dance to great music, laugh with friends, and be entertained with an evening of magic and performers, including a drag act, Ernie Sparkles as compere, a live singer, magician and a special Flash Mob developed just for the event.

Bradley Wilson, who works as an administrator for the LGBTQ+ group and who also has learning disabilities helped to organise the event.

He said: “I am very proud of all the planning and hard work that has gone into this event and it means a lot to me to have been given the opportunity to do this event. I’m really looking forward to this event and I’m passionate about the LGBTQ+ community and making it more inclusive.”

Members of the group have been keen to start face to face meet-ups and so they are now having a mix of an online support group and face to face social events.

Some members met up in June in Manchester and this month the group have decided to meet up in Preston.

Erin Blanchard, events and marketing coordinator said: “We have members across the North West and having zoom meets has also enabled us to connect with groups in Leeds and London too.

“We are trying to move around to give everyone a chance to take part in our meetups, as some people can’t always travel across the county. Last month we went for Pizza in Manchester and next week we’ll be trying out Caribbean food in Preston. It’s all about giving people an opportunity to meet like minded people for friendship and support.

“Some people, understandably, are still nervous about socialising despite government restrictions easing, so we are doing what we can to help people to be more confident in getting back to some sort of normal, whatever normal might be. By providing supported meetups we can help people overcome some of their fears whilst also giving people the chance to meet new people”

For more information about joining our LGBTQ+ support group, please contact: info@meet-n-match.co.uk