On a Tuesday afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting Paul from OutSupport CIC at The Coach and Horses pub in Banbury, which is at the heart of the Banbury Pride planning. Tom, who runs the pub, said, “We want to make Banbury as open and welcoming as possible to the LGBTQ+ community.”
Banbury Pride 2024 is set to take place from 31st May to 2nd June, celebrating the LGBTQ community, but it’s also important for individuals to know where to turn for support.
Paul, who runs the OutSupport CIC website, is incredibly well-informed about what the area has to offer the community. If you live in Banbury, his site is a must-visit resource. Paul wants to ensure that people have access to “legitimate and honest information.”
OutSupport UK (CIC) works to promote and provide the LGBTQ+ community with resources, actions, and projects that can support and promote better well-being, resilience, confidence, and strength. Their aim is to support personal journeys by putting in place resources to build resilience, grow confidence, and unlock potential. “You are never alone, so reach out,” Paul emphasised.
OutSupport UK (CIC) services are designed to help LGBTQ+ individuals navigate challenges and build a stronger, healthier, and more connected life. They don’t want anyone in the LGBTQ+ community to feel alone, and they want to provide a toolkit where resilience can be built, self-esteem can be nurtured, and confidence can grow.
One of their initiatives is OutSupport Active, which aims to reduce the experience of loneliness and isolation, promote positive well-being, and encourage staying active and healthy. They want to build a network of sessions through their OutSupport UK offer, bringing community to places where there is little or no LGBTQ+ support.
Additionally, OutSupport UK works to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and campaign for change to create a more inclusive and equal society. Paul also expressed his gratitude for the visit, saying, “I’m grateful for the support and work that OCVA does across Oxfordshire with groups and organisations. I have picked up a lot from you guys, and you’re always a friendly bunch.”
To find out more about OutSupport CIC, visit their website: www.outsupport.org.uk
To find out more about Banbury Pride:
https://www.instagram.com/banburypride/
https://www.facebook.com/BanburyPride/
www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/pride-social-2024/
If you are based closer to the city, there is also Oxford Pride: oxfordpride.uk
Jaime Hewett
OCVA Development Officer