Hello there! Thanks for stopping by to find out why & how I'm supporting the York LGBT Forum! 

My name is Michaela and I’m a retired computer software support specialist and office administrator.   I retired through ill health 6 years ago (predominantly fibromyalgia, although it wasn’t diagnosed for a further 2 years) and have recently become involved as an administrator and communications facilitator, on a voluntary basis, for the York LGBT Forum’s choir, Colours of the Rainbow.  I have a love of art, history, music, mindfulness and a BA in literature, all of which I have been able to spend more time indulging in.  

What's the project?

I plan to combine two of the three essential tools I’ve been learning and using since becoming chronically ill, piano and mindfulness.  I have chosen three pieces for piano, which have been mindfully inspirational to me, composed by Ludovico Einaudi and introduced to me by my wonderful piano tutor and composer, Kate Harrison-Ledger.  This will be aired through live stream on the 30th August 2020, at 12.00, through Facebook live video stream.  

Why am I supporting the York LGBT Forum?

My motivation around fundraising for the York LGBT Forum is because being a member of York's local LGBTQ+ community, I have experienced first-hand the literally, life-saving work that they do. 

Before I knew of the organisation, I was in a lonely, isolated place, putting on a brave face, masking my real identity, never revealing my true self to anybody, ever!  Through the York LGBT+ Forum’s Confidence Workshops, I gradually found the courage to tell close friends and family of my real sexuality; that I am a bisexual woman.  I was finally out and the relief was massive.  Since then, this group has enabled me, through their other socially based activities like choir, coffee mornings and organised events, to become more confident and open not only in relation to my sexuality (I didn't come out until I was 50!) but also in other areas of my day to day life.  I credit the Forum, along with mindfulness and piano, with helping me through some dark, arduous and emotive times when life was getting too much and my identity was lost. 

The Forum is run entirely by volunteers & is a true labour of love. It saves lives. It is always there and never lets us down. Now, with the setbacks and uncertainties of the COVID pandemic, the Forum & Colours of the Rainbow are under more pressure than ever to deliver their life-saving and sustaining services to the most vulnerable in the local LGBTQ+ community. Through this project, I am donating whatever time & skills I have to support them & my community. 

How long do we have to fundraise?

For the month of August 2020

How much should I donate? 

The target is only £150, so small amounts will go a really long way.  If 15 folks donate £10 each, we're done!  If 30 folks donate £5 each--presto, we're done! 

Please do contribute what you can happily spare, but even if you can't afford it right now, you can still enjoy the live stream on Sunday, 30th August 2020. 

Your donation will go directly to the York LGBT Forum & flow right back into the queer community in the form of life-saving community care that the Forum creates & offers completely for free: from support groups creating a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth, older queer folks, folks battling isolation, and the most vulnerable in our communities, to offering hate crime prevention & survivor support, mental health & well-being resources, groups, events, socials, a helpline, and so much more. 

More details on their services at:  https://www.yorklgbtforum.org.uk/health-wellbeing/

Note on data protection: JustGiving is a secure platform that will not sell your details on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the York LGBT Forum. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.