This is a message from Matt Roberts about “Proud 2B Parents”,  an LGBT parents group developed and delivered by the community development team:

The group has been running very successfully for the past year, and was developed as there was a need within the area of Manchester for such specific work to happen within the Manchester area for such specific work to happen within the LGBT community.

Results of consultation carried out in Central Manchester showed that many of the services aimed at the gay community were not family focused.

This group is the first successful group in the UK to be supported by Sure Start.

Many parents who started to access the service in the beginning did not attend any adult and toddler sessions, due to their concerns of being outed or victimised, often they felt that they did not fit the norm of your typical parent.
Through attending this group parents and carers can meet in a safe environment with like minded parents, their children are also able to meet with other children who come from similar family backgrounds. Many families have overcome their concerns and are now integrated in to mainstream adult and toddler groups.

Many lesbian and bisexual women have commented on their concerns before the group they were worried that their children did not have access to male role models. They feel that their children interacting with other dads-male carers who are gay or bisexual allows them to feel safe and confident in the relationships that are developed.

The group meets every 4th Saturday of the month, at Alexandra Park Play Centre, Alexandra Park (next to the lake), which is on Alexandra Road Moss side.

Please contact Matt on either 0161 636 7507, 07970298559 matt.roberts@manchester.nhs.uk. Look forward to hearing from you or seeing you soon. Matt Roberts, Community Development Worker for Manchester Community Health Service Providers.