Crewe’s Silver Pride goes national

Silver Pride, the annual celebration of LGBTQ+ life and culture, especially for the over 55s, has returned to Crewe, with this year making for an extra special occasion as the first national pride awareness day for older people.
Belong, guests from all over the town paid a visit to the Brookhouse Drive village to revel in the colourful festivities, with mistress of ceremonies, Dame Dolly, leading the fun. Entertainment included a fashion parade competition, tombola and stalls, face painting, food and sweet treats, and body popping performances from young troupe, TGA Street Dance Crewe.
Meanwhile, sexual health charity, Body Positive North Wales & Cheshire, and Silver Rainbows social network, were on hand to provide advice, support and companionship, whilst attendees enjoyed the opportunity to meet Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, before making the most of a visiting ice cream van.
Jessica Butler, experience coordinator at Belong Crewe, said: “Our customers and visitors have had a wonderful day. It’s really important to us that everyone can be themselves and express who they are, and we’re especially pleased to see Silver Pride grow to become a much-anticipated annual event.”
Silver Pride has been a regular staple in Belong Crewe’s community events calendar since 2018. This year, the village was joined by other progressive care operators up and down the country after activity and engagement charity, National Activity Providers Association (NAPA), promoted the day to widen participation across the UK.
Jessica continued: “We’re thrilled that Silver Pride has become a nationwide event. Over 50 years since the first Pride marches in the US and UK, we finally have a day that reveres older LGBTQ+ people whilst bringing all ages together to share in the celebration. Talk about community spirit!”
The news follows Belong’s announcement implementing the Skills for Care LGBTQ+ learning framework which will equip its teams with the knowledge, values and best practice to support its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and other customers, whose needs can differ from others who share their home. Additionally, the move builds on the organisation’s inclusive culture empowering colleagues to be confident in who they are at their place of work as it continues its recruitment drive.

Pictured: Residents and the team at Belong Crewe celebrate Silver Pride.