About the Pride Activity Network
StreetGames’ North West Pride Activity Network (PAN) is a peer-support network available to all community partners in the StreetGames network who want to share best practice or seek advice around engaging with LGBTQ+ young people through sport. The network is coordinated by Beth Warriner (Doorstep Sport Advisor for Bolton, Bury and Wigan) and Sally Carr MBE (North West Area Director).
JD Foundation, the charitable arm of the JD Sports Group, have generously funded this work, in partnership with Pride Sports. This project consists of multiple elements, offers and opportunities for both community organisations and LGBTQ+ young people themselves.
Pride Activity Network meetings
StreetGames host PAN Meetings online three times per year, where community partners can attend, discuss key topics, share best practice, and seek guidance and support around LGBTQ+ inclusion. Each meeting, a different organisation is also invited to present on their LGBTQ+ inclusion journey and share their successes and challenges in this area.
If you would like to join the Pride Activity Network and attend the meetings, please contact Beth Warriner.
PAN in action: ‘Back Off. Back Up.’ in Kendal
Developed and established in Brighton by the team at Across Rainbows, the Back Off. Back Up. (BOBU) initiative exists to signpost LGBTQ+ people to their nearest safe place in their local town.
Funded by the JD Fondation, StreetGames’ Pride Activity Network has now enabled this vital and life-saving project to be trialled in Kendal in Cumbria. The project empowers LGBTQ+ people and anyone who has ever felt unsafe on their walk home, to ask for help should they need it. Using the BOBU app, users can see where the LGBTQ+ friendly spaces are and can be assured that all registered BOBU venues have undergone LGBTQ+ inclusion training, delivered in-person by the ‘Across Rainbows’ team.
Jamie Hooper, Chair of Kendal Pride and coordinator of BOBU Kendal said: “We were absolutely thrilled to partner with the BOBU team in Brighton to bring their expert knowledge and experiences to Kendal and the South Lakes area. Through the support of StreetGames in making this happen, we have been able to support ten local businesses in the town to further their awareness of LGBT+ people, and to help create a network of safe spaces for LGBT+ people in the area”.