Volunteers from Cheltenham Samaritans joined the Pride celebrations in Cheltenham today.
Volunteers from Cheltenham and District Samaritans branch joined the Pride march from the High Street to Imperial Gardens. They also had an awareness-raising stall in Imperial Gardens, where the celebrations continued.
Samaritans was founded 70 years ago at a time when it was still illegal to be gay in the UK. Our volunteers provided a confidential and empathetic ear for many who were struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity. To this day, our helpline provides a vital lifeline where anyone can share what’s on their mind without judgement or pressure.
We were pleased to welcome the newly inaugurated Mayor of Cheltenham, Cllr Dr David Willingham, and his wife Sara to our stall.
Samaritans offers confidential, non-judgmental emotional support to anyone in distress. During Pride, we have a special awareness of many of the lived experiences that callers from the LQBTQ+ communities cope with. While for many, Pride is often a time of visibility and celebration, for others Pride events can heighten feelings of anxiety, of feeling excluded and often of loneliness. If you are experiencing any of these things, then we are here for you—whoever you are. You can call us 24/7 on 116123.
