When did you first volunteer for Manchester Pride?
2007
What type of volunteering have you done previously?
In my late teens I was chairperson of a youth development charity back home in Blantyre, Glasgow that runs the Terminal One Youth Centre. It was a huge responsibility but I loved it and it made we want to continue volunteering. I volunteered at a couple of Pride events in Scotland and was always the student rep at college and uni – probably because I was the gobbiest!
What has been your best experience whilst volunteering for Manchester Pride?
I once heard someone say that Pride was like Gay Christmas and it sort of is. There’s all the anticipation and excitement of the build-up (but without the anti-climax). I love the moment when the gates first go up and you can start to feel the buzz in the Village growing and of course there’s the Parade; the jewel in Pride’s crown. I just love the atmosphere of the whole weekend and the feeling you get being a part of it. I wear my Pride t-shirt with, erm, pride.
How did you hear about Manchester Pride?
I’d lived in Manchester for a few years before I first volunteered so I’d been aware of it – you can’t exactly miss it! I decided I wanted to get involved so went to the website and found out about a volunteer social evening and went along. I was bricking it and almost left when at first I couldn’t find the group but I’m so glad I didn’t.
How has volunteering benefited your personal development?
It sounds corny but it really has helped build my confidence. You make new friends, people you’ll see outside of Pride or maybe just say "Hiya!" to if you run into them in town. Meeting new people and doing new things is never a bad thing. Being involved in Pride makes you appreciate the festival so much more and you realise how lucky we are in Manchester to have such a vibrant and diverse scene.
How has volunteering benefited your professional development?
It gave me the chance to add a couple more strings to my bow. I’ve learnt new skills and discovered how useful the skills I already had can be. It can be hard work and challenging at times but that all adds to the experience. At the time I first volunteered for Pride I was unemployed and it gave me that little boost to go on believing in myself. It also looks great on your CV.
Would you recommend volunteering for Pride?
Absolutely. There’s so much to get out of your experience as a volunteer and it’s definitely one of the highlights of my year.
What advice would you give to anyone considering being a volunteer with Manchester Pride?
Make sure you’ve got the time and that you’re doing it for the right reasons. If you think that volunteering is a blag and that you’ll get free access to the event then don’t bother – you won’t! It’s about contributing and being part of something. Pride just couldn’t happen without the volunteers so you need to be committed and have to want to do it. You don’t have to spend your entire weekend working; the minimum commitment is only four hours so you can still have all the fun you want; although, for me, volunteering is half the fun. There are different roles to chose from so there’ll definitely be something to suit you.
What has been your best Pride moment?
I think it was going to the Vigil with the other volunteers at the end of my first Pride. It just brought it all together. Pride is a massive celebration of the great LGBT community we have here and, for me, it’s about being yourself and being happy. There is, however, a more serious side to all the partying. Getting here wasn’t an easy road and it’s a chance to reflect on the past, remember those we’ve lost and to be optimistic about the future. Far from being a somber affair, there was such a feeling of togetherness that evening.