Andover Mind are working with Test Valley Borough Council, Andover Town Council and other key community stakeholders to progress plans for a Pride event in Andover this year to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture.
Community groups ccome together for Pride
Andover Pride is due to take place on Saturday, June 22, with a parade and performances in the Town Mills Pocket Park.
The event, the first of its kind for Andover, is being spearheaded by Andover Town Council, along Test Valley Borough Council and Andover College. Other organisations including Andover BID and Andover Community Events, Breakout Youth and Koala are involved, to name just some.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Culture in Andover
The event is planned to have a stage with a number of acts, along with stalls including face painting. Local organisations and charities are also being given the opportunity to have a pitch at the event as well.
Research by the Mental Health foundation and a study by Stonewall found that over half of LGBTIQ+ people had experienced depression, and three in five had experienced anxiety. One in eight LGBTIQ+ people aged 18 to 24 had attempted to end their life and almost half of trans people had thought about taking their life.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are important to Andover Mind. Mental health problems such as depression, self-harm, alcohol and drug abuse and suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, but they’re more common among people who are LGBTIQ+ so we are working on making sure we are accessible and welcoming of anyone who needs our support.
Helen Mothersole, head of wellbeing and crisis services at Andover Mind explains “Being LGBTIQ+ doesn’t automatically mean someone will have mental health issues but they’re at higher risk of experiencing poor mental health, so we are working to break down the stigma and make mental health support available to everyone in our local community, regardless of how they identify their gender or sexualty. We hope Andover Pride will be an opportunity to celebrate inclusitiy in our town and show our support for the LGBTIQ+ community, showcasing music, art and of course the wealth of support services on our doorstep.”
