Staff from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Stepping Hill Hospital and local community services, joined this year’s Stockport Pride celebrations in the town centre with a stall in the market hall, visible recruitment information and fundraising activity.
Visible presence in the market hall
The trust’s stall offered a mix of practical information and celebration: recruitment literature for NHS roles, details of the support available for LGBTQ+ colleagues and patients, and fundraising run by Stockport NHS Charity. A glitter bar proved popular with visitors and added a festive touch to the display.
- Recruitment information for people interested in NHS roles
- Support and inclusion information aimed at LGBTQ+ patients and staff
- Stockport NHS Charity fundraising raffle
- Glitter bar and other stall activities
Parade, performances and sombre solidarity
The day featured a colourful parade through the town centre, with NHS colleagues taking part alongside community groups. Entertainment was hosted by drag duo The Vegan Queens, and included appearances from the Prairie Dogs — described as the longest-running non-profit LGBTQ+ line dancing club in the UK — as well as singers such as Jsky, Xander and Rowetta, formerly of Happy Mondays and X Factor.
| Feature | Example |
|---|---|
| Hosts | The Vegan Queens (drag duo) |
| Community groups | Prairie Dogs line dancing club |
| Performers | Jsky, Xander, Rowetta |
While the atmosphere was celebratory, there was also a note of sombre reflection following a terrorist attack on Berlin Pride earlier in the weekend. Organisers and participants underlined why Pride remains necessary in the face of violent prejudice.
"We will always show our solidarity, allyship and support."
Stuart McKenna, the trust’s assistant director of human resources (Inclusion and Colleague Experience), said Stockport Pride is always a valuable occasion for the organisation to demonstrate its commitment to an inclusive workplace and to the local LGBTQ+ community. He acknowledged both the enjoyment of the event and the continuing need to stand against prejudice.
For local residents the visible involvement of NHS staff makes clear the health service’s role beyond clinical care: supporting diversity, offering jobs and engaging directly with the community. The combination of practical information, fundraising and celebration meant the trust’s presence served several purposes on a busy Pride day.
Anyone interested in learning more about NHS roles or the trust’s inclusion work can find further details through Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and Stockport NHS Charity channels.
