June Zoom Meetings

Apart from a couple of scorching hot days, June weather has made staying indoors seem the sensible thing to do. So perhaps lockdown this month wasn’t so bad. Our gardens have certainly benefitted from the month’s heavy rainfall. Instead of group members meeting up once a month, we are seeing each other every Monday on Zoom. Thanks to the license extended by the LGBT Consortiium we have been able to enjoy longer sessions and don’t have to worry about rushing at the end of meetings. Virtual meetings have also allowed people who aren’t able to come to the American Clubhouse to join in. Most meetings have had attendances in double figures.

Some members have been attending other virtual meetings in June too. Angie and Maurice have taken part in daily dance warmups with FRONTLINEdance. Now that people are going back to work, these will become less frequent. Paul and Maurice spent two hours training on a webinar for Charity Trustee run by an assurance and accountancy firm flagged up  by the Consortium. Over 40 participants heard experts in charity law and finance offer useful advice in these areas of Trustee responsibilities. We hope to improve the governance of the group from what we have learned.

Want to Help with COVID Research?

The COVID Symptom Study app has been developed by health science company ZOE. It is endorsed by the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, the Scottish Government & NHS Scotland. Data collected is shared with and analysed by King’s College London & ZOE research teams.

People of all ages and backgrounds are joining together to fight COVID. You can support the NHS, help scientific research and help get us out of lockdown safely. Takes 1-minute to report your health daily, even if you are well.

Get the app from Apple Store  or Google Play

If you are 60 or over you might like to help with this York University project. A small group of UK university researchers are exploring the effects of COVID-19 on older LGBT+ people. They will be providing project updates on their Blog. You can find more information and take part by clicking HERE.

VIRTUAL PRIDES

For a complete list of postponed or cancelled Prides go to GAY PRIDE SHOP
The group was invited to contribute to Virtual Stoke Pride 2020. Here is a short video created by Maurice CLICK HERE

Other contributions from around the UK can be found on this Facebook Virtual Pride 2020 page


Resources You Might Find Useful in Lockdown

Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent is holding its next virtual coffee morning on Monday 8 June , at 10am the link is below, Laura hopes you can make it. Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 568 626 9612
Password: 0h93mH

Staffordshire Buddies in the current crisis, have kindly extended their telephone support for clients to OLGBT Group members. If you would like to receive a weekly call from them, please ring 01782 613429. They are also offering help with shopping and medical prescriptions for people who have to shield themselves.


Street Angels Facebook page was set up to help indiviuduals who are self isolating. Help offered – help needed

Stoke on Trent COVID-19 Support Network – Local organisations and individuals willing to offer support or require help.


Look up NHS 111 online to check and follow their advice if you think you may have symptoms of COVID-19


Esri UK Portal for Public Health England, World Health Organisation (WHO) and John Hopkins University & Medicine – real time data on total cases, patients recovered and deaths


Switchboard provides a one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, by email or through Instant Messaging