Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust (LCH) has been supporting the fifth annual Liverpool Pride Festival by hosting a series of fringe events, taking place ahead of the main festival next Saturday (2nd August).

To tie-in with this year’s Pride theme which is ‘Glamorous Fairytales’, on Friday 25th July the Trust’s Health Promotion and Sexual Health Teams hosted a glamorous fairy-tale themed health event at the new city health centre based on Hanover Street.

Members of the public were invited to drop in and chat to staff, and pick up free information and advice on a wide range of health and lifestyle issues – all presented with a special ‘glamorous fairytale’ twist.

In addition, the Armistead Service which provides specialist health support to Liverpool’s LGB&T community also opened the doors of their new premises, based next door to the Health Information Centre on Hanover Street. The team hosted a range of health activities around a ‘Snow White and the Seven STI’s theme, providing information on safer sex, drug misuse, legal highs, and much more.

From Monday 28th July to Friday 1st August the Health Promotion Team will continue to host daily fringe events, running from 12.00 noon – 4.00pm at the new NHS Health Information Centre on Hanover Street.

Activities will focus on the five key health concerns which were identified by a health survey conducted by LCH staff over the past two Liverpool Pride events.

Paul White, Mental Health Lead for LCH and part of Merseyside’s Pride in Health Network which supports LGB&T staff working in the NHS explains:

“Our questionnaire highlighted that the five biggest health concerns for Pride-goers were: Mental Health; Weight management; Exercise & fitness; Smoking, drinking and alcohol awareness; and Sexual Health.

“With this in mind, why not come along and find out more about any of these subjects from our friendly professional health teams who will be on hand to chat to people confidentially about any health concerns they may have, and to offer information, advice, guidance and lots of free giveaways.”

In addition, the ABACUS sexual health team and Armistead team will also be hosting a health information stall during the Liverpool Pride event itself, where people can pick up free condoms and lots of health information to help ensure a safer, healthier, happier Pride weekend.