DEBBIE ANDERSON

When did you first volunteer for Manchester Pride?
2006.

What type of volunteering have you done previously?
In the past all my volunteering has been with groups that support children with special needs. I had never worked on an event on such a large scale as Manchester Pride.

Your best experience whilst volunteering for Manchester Pride?
My first year volunteering was brilliant as I made some great friends from it. My second year was even better as I then got to work with them again! My best experience, in both years has to be the parade. There is no way to describe the feeling of walking along with the parade and hearing the noise the crowd makes!

How did you hear about Manchester Pride?
I had heard about if from friends, and so I went on the website to find out if I could volunteer.

How has volunteering benefited your personal development?
As well as making new friends working on pride has allowed me to feel like a bigger part of the LGBT community than I did before. Having the confidence to volunteer at an event like this has given me so much pride in the community and in myself. It has also meant that I have met my lovely girlfriend!

How has volunteering benefited your professional development?
Well in the past my voluntary work has always benefited me in job interviews – it shows you care about more than just earning money. Doing this has been another cool life experience that has helped me develop new skills. It is also very different to what I do in my day job, so it makes a nice change!

Would you recommend volunteering for Manchester Pride?
Definitely – if you want to help raise money for charities that should be close to the heart of LGBT people and Manchester residents, plus you want to make some new friends and just generally have a fun weekend, then go for it.

Best Pride moment?
Actually, this year, retrospectively, it was being captured by Channel 4 as they followed Gerry from Big Brother around the site. I really enjoyed shouting at the TV last week – “That’s me! That’s me!” Yes, I really am that shallow.