The team at Okeley Care Home in Chelmsford like to ensure that every single person living and working in the home feels welcomed and included, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ability, or class. Therefore, they wanted to make sure that they honoured Pride month throughout June.
This was a special Pride month as well, as it marked the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march in the UK. So, the home truly wanted to go the extra mile with a month of education and celebration.
They began by decorating their balcony for the month in the rainbow colours of the LGBTQ+ flag. Garlands were hung from their balcony alongside multicoloured balloons, with a large teddy bear posed proudly in the middle.
The work to be acceptive and inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community is not, however, limited to June and Pride month. Okeley, along with the Excelcare group in general, is very passionate about ensuring that everyone in the LGBTQ+ community feels supported in our homes all year round.
Michael, one of the people living at Okeley, proudly identifies as part of the transgender community, sometimes living as Michael and sometimes living as a lady called Michelle. The people at Okeley have been incredibly supportive of their gender identity, helping with clothes and makeup and giving Michael and Michelle the freedom that they need to be whoever they want to be.
You can read Michael’s story here.