Q:alliance

Community Engagement Officer
Central Milton Keynes
8 hrs p.w / £9.00 p.h / 12 month fixed term contract

Q:alliance is an exceptional and unique organisation that supports, enables and represents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. In this post you will develop and implement the engagement strategy for Q:alliance, building and facilitating strong and clear engagement routes between LGBT people in Milton Keynes and key statutory agencies that work for them. Provide engagement advice/consultation both internally and externally. Empower local LGBT people and groups to represent their views to key agencies in the city. Co-ordinate Q:alliance Volunteer Representatives on various working groups and partnerships in the city.

You’ll be a persuasive person, experienced in establishing client relationships with a confident telephone manner and excellent written communication skills. And you’ll be self-motivated and willing to attend occasional evening meetings.

For an application pack, email peter {at} qalliance.org(.)uk.
To discuss this opportunity, telephone Gwil on 07787 513984 (evenings).
Closing date: Monday 22 March 2010
Interview date: Thursday 25 March 2010 (Evening)

Please feel free to download this job advert in PDF format and distribute.

From Vagabond Cinemas / Pink Punters:

On Sunday 28th February, Vegabond Cinemas will be screening the Sean Penn film MILK, in the Ground Bar at Pink Punters from 1800hrs – Box Office opens at 17.15hrsTickets are £4 – £2 Concessions

For more information contact jo.eadie {at} yahoo(.)com

STUNNING. That’s the only word to describe this film. If you haven’t seen it, prepare to be amazed. Clear the room and remove any distractions because you won’t want to miss a second of this remarkable recounting of the Harvey Milk story. Prepare to cry and scream, because you will do both.

“The Times of Harvey Milk” covers a bit of American history that almost NO Americans seem to know about, and this is a tragedy. Everyone should know about these events, and the astonishing, beautiful people who participated in them. Perhaps the most stunning moment comes when a red-haired straight woman, who became a frequent customer in Harvey Milk’s camera & film-processing shop, recalls the night after Milk and Mayor Mosconi were killed. Dan White was given a slap on the wrist for murdering Milk and Mayor George Mosconi… because the jurors thought he was under the influence of too many TWINKIES… the city erupted. The film of these riots is stunning, and you may find yourself wishing that you could be there with the rioters who STOOD UP to this historic injustice and demonstrated their rage.

People of all ages and all political persuasions will find this film a remarkable document of an important bit of American history. It is essential viewing for all.

There are two events in Milton Keynes taking place this Sunday (28th) in honour of LGBT History Month.

For the first event, Bletchley Park will be celebrating the lives and achievements of the LGBT community.

Q:alliance and Pink Punters have been working with Bletchley Park over the last year to co-ordinate this event. Amongst other things, the event will focus on the life and work of codebreaker Alan Turing during his time at Bletchley Park, with special lectures and films.

Alan Turing who was one of many great mathematical minds who worked at Bletchley Park during World War Two, and was also a gay man. He is recognised for his great intellect and for his contribution towards breaking the Enigma codes and the development of the Bombe machine, all of which helped to shorten the war by two years and save thousands of lives. Later of course, his sexuality was to be the cause of his downfall.

• The Wartime Achievements of Alan Turing at Bletchley Park – Frank Carter, a college lecturer in mathematics and a longtime guide and researcher at Bletchley Park.
• Why we need to claim our history – Tony Fenwick, co-founder and Chair of LGBT History Month.
• Local issues around LGBT History Month and Bletchley Park – John Goss from Q:alliance, which provides information, support, representation and fun for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people who live, work and play in the Milton Keynes area.

Stephen Kettle the Sculptor of the famous Alan Turing slate Statue will also be at Bletchley Park throughout the day talking about his famous creation.

A selection of films will be shown in the Bletchley Park Enigma Cinema, plus a documentary about the life of Alan Turing.

Dr Andrew Hodges, esteemed authority on Alan Turing, will be our special guest and will also be available to sign copies of his book, ‘Alan Turing; the Enigma’”

Visitors can also see the office in which Alan Turing worked in Hut 8 and the Bombe machine, designed by Turing with Gordon Welchman to speed up the process of breaking the Enigma codes.

The Pink Punters Rainbow Bus will also be on site throughout the day

In addition, later that evening Vagabond Cinema in collaboration with Pink Punters  are screening the amazing film Milk starring Sean Penn.

This is the story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California’s first openly gay elected official.

Tickets for this one are on first come first served basis. Doors open at 5.15pm Screening starts at 6pm and the bar will be open. More details on Facebook.

There is a citizens:mk assembly this Wednesday (24th) night in Central Milton Keynes with key community and political leaders. One of the Q:alliance trustees will be there representing us and giving a short speech on his involvement so far.  citizens:mk are hoping people from across the city will come along to find out about the concept behind the citizens project and to see if they’d be interested in becoming involved.

citizens:mk is a developing alliance of communities – religious institutions, schools, unions, charities and community associations – working together for a better Milton Keynes. Using the methods of ‘community organising,’ the goal is social, economic and environmental justice. They will meet that goal by training people of all ages, faiths and backgrounds to take action together for change, as well as provide a voice for civil society to hold our elected officials to account.

For more details on citizens:mk, there approach and details on the assembly visit www.citizensmk.org.uk.

Got a problem you want to sort out?
Need someone to talk to in confidence?

Our LGBT-friendly counsellors offer weekly or bi-weekly sessions in Milton Keynes. Contact us to book a free initial session at counselling {at} qalliance.org(.)uk. The cost of further sessions will depend on your circumstances, please email us to discuss this further.

People come to counselling to make space to look at issues in their lives. Your issues might be struggling with your sexuality, coming out, homophobia, having a bad time, having too much of a good time, gender issues, too much or too little sex, risky behaviour, body acceptance, addiction, gay kids, loneliness, wanting more confidence, loss….

All of our counsellors are experienced and comfortable in working with people who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans, straight and those who are unsure. They work to the ethics, standards and confidentiality of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. We offer counselling on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Wolverton and in Central Milton Keynes on Saturday daytimes.

Please note that although we try to give you an appointment at a time which suits you as soon as possible, there may be a wait – contact us for details. We aim to reply to all emails within 5 days.

In preparation for Saturday’s LGBT General Assembly we’ve prepared an updated version of our Current Services leaflet as well as a new version of our strategic plan.

We’d love for you to take a look at the strategic plan and let us know any comments you have about it. If you think it’s good, bad, missing something important, or just think a little bit needs adjusting or tweaking let us know by emailing info {at} qalliance.org(.)uk.

If you’d like to get more involved strategically, operationally or doing stuff on the ground with LGBT people in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas email volunteer {at} qalliance.org(.)uk.

Also feel free to print off our Services Leaflet and display in appropriate places. To see either document click on the images below.

(PDF file, 115KB)

(PDF file, 106KB)