Deep Engagement Partnership (DEP)

What is the Deep Engagement Partnership?

Birmingham City Council aims to improve the understanding of the health requirements of Birmingham’s diverse communities: to identify local health need, review what services and support exist and work with communities to design improvements.

Birmingham LGBT is working alongside Birmingham City Council to ensure the LGBTQ+ community is not left behind.

We will:

• Facilitate focus groups to discuss different health & wellbeing topics with members of the LGBTQ+ communities.
• Work with LGBTQ+ communities to design and deliver a health project, to provide them with the tools to improve their health & wellbeing.
• Deliver training for professionals and community organisations, to improve the way they deliver services to the LGBTQ+ community.
• Support LGBTQ+ community members to take part in community research and engagement
• Share the knowledge we will gain with Public Health and Birmingham’s Health & Wellbeing Board to help to inform future decision making on services, health & wellbeing information and self-help support.

As part of this work, Birmingham LGBT is building a library of LGBTQ+ affirmative providers of body positivity activities and sports and fitness activities. We’re also looking for LGBTQ+ affirmative venues in which to hold activities.

If you have any questions or are interested in taking part in this Project, please contact: Maria Hughes on 0121 643 0821 MariaHughes@blgbt.org

 

Upcoming Events:

Health Equality – Trans & Non-Binary Communities

Trans & Non-Binary Swimming Sessions

Birmingham LGBT and Pride Sport are offering ten swimming sessions at Sandwell Aquatics Centre FREE to trans and non-binary people living in or near Birmingham.

Please note that these are not swimming lessons – you should not attend if you don’t feel confident in the water, although there will be a lifeguard present.

Places are limited and booking is essential. You will not be allowed admittance without booking.

There are two fortnightly sessions: 9^th and 23^rd August, and eight weekly sessions: 6^th September to 25^th October. Each date will need a separate booking.

 

Health Equality – LGBTQ+ Communities

Generation of “Us”: Wellness and wholeness for LGBTQ+ “mid-life” folks, and other generations

Wednesday 1^st October – International Day of Older People, 2pm – 5pm; ibis Arcadian

“There hasn’t been a generation of “us” before: earlier generations were closeted, hiding or wiped out.” – Paul Taylor-Pitt

 Join author and podcaster Paul Taylor-Pitt for an interactive navigation of middle age for LGBTQ+ people. Through presentation and discussion, we’ll explore what it means to be part of the post-criminalisation generation, having survived Section 28, the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and what we’ve lost and gained.

This event is free and there are limited spaces, so booking is ESSENTIAL. If you find you can’t attend, please cancel your booking or email MariaHughes@blgbt.org.

This event is open to LGBTQ+ adults of all ages, and LGBTQ+ allies.

 

LGBTQ+ Body Positivity – Creative Workshops

Explore and celebrate your unique body image, with our free creative workshops

Saturdays 4^th (individual banner making) & 11^th (collective banner making) October, 2pm – 4pm, City-centre venues

As part of our series of events on body positivity, you are invited to express your body image, and positivity, through banner making. Guided by expert banner maker Jane Thakoordin, you will have the opportunity to create your own personal banner in the first workshop. In the second workshop, you can work collectively to create a banner celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

You can sign up for either workshop, or both. This event is free and there are limited spaces, so booking is ESSENTIAL. You can book on Outsavvy here: https://tinyurl.com/bpbanners

This event is open to LGBTQ+ adults

 

LGBTQ+ Body Positivity – Nutrition Workshop: Love and take care of the body you are in

Monday 13^th October, 6pm – 8.30pm, Online

Knowing what’s best for your body is difficult, when there is so much information ‘out there’. It’s also hard to be kind to your body and give it what it needs if you struggle with body image. We’ve invited fitness consultant and nutritional therapist Vixx Thompson (he/him) to guide you gently towards eating and drinking for health and wellbeing, free from judgement and ‘body shaming’. Find out how food groups and nutrients work in your body, and how to decide what works for you.

This event is free and there are limited spaces, so booking is ESSENTIAL. If you find you can’t attend, please cancel your booking or email MariaHughes@blgbt.org.

 

Deconstructing the Narrative and Reclaiming the Body

An LGBTQ+ Body Positivity Wellbeing Workshop

Saturday 18th October, 10am – 4pm; City centre venue

• What shapes our body image?
• How do we ‘talk’ to ourselves about what we see in the mirror?
• Where do our ideas about ourselves originate?
• How can we create a positive ‘Body Manifesto?’

Join psychologist and author Gary Wood on a journey of self-discovery.

Drawing on his extensive knowledge of gender and sexuality, and using a range of active wellbeing coaching techniques, Gary will guide you through an exploration of your body image towards greater body positivity.

This event is free and there are limited spaces, so booking is ESSENTIAL. You can book on Outsavvy here: https://tinyurl.com/LGBTBPW