‘Bear-Patrol’ was created by Danny Dwyer in order to bring people together to become part of a community and to enable them to meet friends in a happy environment free from attitude & stigma.

In the process of socialising and having fun the group are utilising their social skills, contacts & enthusiasm to raise funds for one of our local charities The Sussex Beacon for which the group have great admiration & support.

The work, committment & care that the Sussex Beacon provide is priceless to our Community.

Bear-Patrol welcomes all members who are willing and enthusiastic about becoming part of a Community Social Group.

For information on future events organised by Bear-Patrol please contact Danny Dwyer by email or check out their facebook group and website.

The carers Centre run a number of activities in the city.

Carers Coffee mornings

A place to meet with other carers from your neighbourhood and have a chat over free refreshments. Each of the groups is run by one of our support workers who is there to provide advice and information.

They run at;

• Hangleton Manor, Hangleton Valley Drive, Hove on the first Thursday of every month, 11.00-12.30 (Contact Sarah)
• Moksha Café, 4-5 York Place (opposite St Peter’s Church), on the first Thursday of the month 10.00-12.00. (Contact Jenny)
• The Wooden Belly (previously Home Cafe) (32 Egremont Place, opposite the arch entrance to Queens Park ) on the first Tuesday of the month, 10.00-12.00 (Contact Nicola)

Male Carers Group

A chance for men looking after someone with an illness or disability to meet other male carers and join in a variety of regular activities (Contact a member of the Adult Carers Team)

Group for carers of someone with a life-limiting illness

Do you care for someone with Parkinson’s Disease, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, HIV, cancer or another life- limiting illness? A new group starting 29 November and will run for 6 sessions fortnightly. Each session will last 1½ hours and will look at coping strategies, self-esteem, looking after yourself physically and emotionally and there will be the chance to have a massage and learn basic massage techniques. There will also be a time for peer support with other carers. Please call Sara on 746222 to book a place.

Bereaved Carers

Following a meeting in November 2011, we will be organising a series of activities for bereaved carers. Details will be confirmed in the New Year. Please call Sara or Liz on 746222 to find out more.

Stroke Carers Group

Do you care for someone who has had a stroke? Would you like to meet with other carers and to access specialist information on stroke and carers’ services? We are running a new monthly group for stroke carers on the last Tuesday morning of the month from 10.30 – 12 noon in a central location. Free refreshments are provided and transport is available for carers with mobility problems. To book a place or for more information please call Nicola on tel. 746222.

Listening Lunches

Listening Lunches are an opportunity for carers looking after an adult (over 18) with a learning disability to get together and discuss issues around learning disability service provision in Brighton & Hove. Each meeting is attended by someone from Learning Disability services in the Council. Any concerns raised by carers are taken back to the Learning Disabilities Partnership Board. Listening Lunches are an opportunity to get your voice heard and help create change. A free lunch and refreshments are provided at all meetings.

The Carers Garden

This is an allotment space which is open to carers and people who are no longer caring due to bereavement or because the person they care for has gone into a rest or nursing home. People can sit and have a chat and cup of tea, take part in light gardening activities such as sowing seeds, or just sit and enjoy the panoramic views of the sea and countryside. The allotment is at the end of Beresford Road behind the Royal Sussex County Hospital and carers meet there on Thursdays from 11-2pm. If you would like to get involved in this venture please contact Sara

www.onlyinbrighton.co.uk/piersandqueers

Are you aged 13-15 and think you may be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans? TAG is a fun youth group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) young people under the age of 16.  We meet on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 5pm to 6.30pm, at a central Brighton location (contact us for details of the location).

At our meetings we offer:

• LGBTU safe space to hang out and meet new people
• Creative activities e.g. art and drama
• Fun games
• Trips out e.g. bowling, picnic on beach
• Discussions about what matters to you
• Health and wellbeing workshops e.g. coming out, relationships, self-esteem
• Youth-led activities
• Free food and drink

If you’d like to come along to TAG, please contact us on  01273 721211 or at info@allsortsyouth.org.uk A worker will then arrange to meet up with you 1-2-1 sometime before the group’s next meeting.

No Dress Code is a vibrant monthly social group for lesbian, bisexual, trans or unsure young women aged 16-25. We meet at Brighton Women’s Centre at 72, High Street, Brighton, from 5pm to 7pm, on the first Thursday of every month.

At our meetings we offer:

-          Social activities and workshops e.g. art activities, drama games, film nights

-          Discussions about what matters to you as LBTU young women

-          Health and wellbeing workshops e.g. relationships, sexual health, self-esteem

-          Trips out e.g. bowling, picnic on beach

-          Youth-led activities

-          Free food and drink

If you’d like to come along to the group for the first time, please arrive at the Women’s Centre 15-30 minutes before it starts (between 4.30 and 5pm) so that we can tell you a bit more about what to expect from the group.

To find out when our next meeting will be, or for more information, contact us on 01273 721211 or info@allsortsyouth.org.uk

Are you trans or questioning your gender identity and aged 16-25? Then why not come along to Transformers, Brighton’s new Trans Youth Network?

Transformers meets on the last Wednesday of each month, from 5pm to 7.00pm, in a central Brighton location.

The group offers:

• an opportunity to make friends with other trans young people
• support and information about transitioning, your rights, coming out and much more
• fun activities and workshops e.g. art activities, drama games, film nights etc
• discussions about what matters to you as trans young people
• plus much, much more!

We also provide free food at the sessions.

This group is run by Allsorts Youth Project. You can read more about the group on the Zhoosh blog here

For more information about Transformers, please contact Allsorts on 01273 721 211 or email transformers@allsortsyouth.org.uk

A group for people in employment who have experience of mental health issues. Come and share with others in similar situations.

Wednesday evenings.

Starts: Wednesday 7th December
time: evenings (TBC)
Venue: Community Base

All groups are closed groups and anyone interested should contact MindOut

A new welcoming, supportive group for LGBTQ women who experience mental health issues.

Starting end of Feb, meets weekly on Tuesdays 4.30 – 6 pm

All groups are closed groups and anyone interested should contact MindOut

A place to share your experience of coping with mental health issues related to being HIV positive.

Friday Mornings

Starts: Friday 18th November

time: 10.30am – 12.00
Venue: Community Base

All groups are closed groups and anyone interested should contact MindOut

After many years of planning and interest, AGWC launched on the 10th October. We aim to create a friendly atmosphere where you can come and learn some singing skills and take part in performances raising money for charity. The Chorus is open to ALL Women over 18, LGBT – and Straight!

Actually Community Interest Company, who also manage the Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Brighton and Hove Gay Men’s Chorus (Signed to Universal!), will be providing the infrastructure for the Chorus.

The Marlborough Pub/Theatre will be supporting this project and providing us with rehearsal space, so a huge thank you to them!

This group rehearses at the Marlborough Theatre each Monday.