A GROUP of residents from dementia specialist Belong Atherton flew their flag at Wigan Pride, championing their support of older people in the LGBT+ community in the town’s annual parade.
Customers and support workers from the care village celebrated this year’s sunshine, energy and vitality theme at the event which also coincided with 50 years since the UK’s first Pride, hosted in London in 1972.
Kim Calland, experience coordinator at Belong Atherton, said: “This year’s Pride is especially important as our customers have lived through decades of law changes, evolving attitudes and eventually, acceptance of LGBT+ people in society.
“They wanted to attend the event and be part of it, so we’ve made that happen for them.”
The Belong Atherton party marched side-by-side with the community, sporting their vibrant outfits, whilst spreading joy and happiness for what has now become an annual tradition for residents.
In preparation for the event, the village’s popular weekly creative crafts afternoon open saw participants design the brightly coloured banners which were showcased for the occasion, meaning that those who couldn’t attend, such as for health reasons, were still represented.
The highlights of the afternoon ranged from parade celebrations, meeting and mingling with Wiganers, drag artists, council and emergency services representatives, as well as singing and dancing to live music, including a special performance from The Cheeky Girls.
