Hartlepool charity is set to take on Roseberry Topping to tackle hate

A Hartlepool charity which works to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is preparing to embark on a trek to mark a day designed to raise awareness and tackle hate.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th May 2016, 14:33 BST
Updated 17th May 2016, 15:36 BST
From left, Sarah Lewis  strategic development manager, Jack Cummings, trans development worker, James Snowden, youth development worker, Sian Parker, LGBT development worker at last years IDAHO eventFrom left, Sarah Lewis  strategic development manager, Jack Cummings, trans development worker, James Snowden, youth development worker, Sian Parker, LGBT development worker at last years IDAHO event
From left, Sarah Lewis  strategic development manager, Jack Cummings, trans development worker, James Snowden, youth development worker, Sian Parker, LGBT development worker at last years IDAHO event

Hart Gables based in York Road, will take part in an equality climb up Roseberry Topping in North Yorkshire on Saturday to celebrate International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHO).

Staff, clients and members of the public, will take part in the climb which hopes to raise awareness surrounding esbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

Barry Coppinger  Police Crime Commissioner taking part in the breaking down barriers exercise at the hate crime awareness event.Barry Coppinger  Police Crime Commissioner taking part in the breaking down barriers exercise at the hate crime awareness event.
Barry Coppinger  Police Crime Commissioner taking part in the breaking down barriers exercise at the hate crime awareness event.
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Sarah Lewis, strategic manager of Hart Gables, said a series of workshops were also held on the day itself, May 17, to explore how LGBT hate can effect a person’s mental well-being.

She said: “Every year IDAHO is celebrated by services and people globally, this year we have decided to deliver a set of workshops that will explore how LGBT hate can effect a person’s mental well-being.

“We are also used the day to launch our real life stories booklet that looks at the experiences of local LGBT people who have suffered from hate crime.

“The booklet was formed off the back of something that we did last year where we collected experiences from victims of hate crime in the North East.

Barry Coppinger  Police Crime Commissioner taking part in the breaking down barriers exercise at the hate crime awareness event.Barry Coppinger  Police Crime Commissioner taking part in the breaking down barriers exercise at the hate crime awareness event.
Barry Coppinger  Police Crime Commissioner taking part in the breaking down barriers exercise at the hate crime awareness event.
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“We are trying to use their experiences to encourage people to report hate incidents when they happen, to us or to the police.”

During the day police and crime commissioner for Cleveland, Barry Coppinger came along to the workshops, which also featured a workshop on how art can help to improve mental wellbeing.

Sarah added: “On Saturday some of the service users will climb up Roseberry Topping with the rainbow flag and the trans flag to remember the people we have lost through hate.”

Those wanting to take part in the walk should meet at Roseberry Topping at 11am on Saturday.

To book a place on the trek, call Sarah on: 01429 236790.

For more information on the work of the charity visit: http://www.hartgables.org.uk/

Related topics:HartlepoolNorth Yorkshire