This year POPS had the privilege of taking part in Manchester’s Pride Festival, joining the main parade with a fantastic float created by the young people at HMP Hindley, in partnership with HMP Manchester, HMP Liverpool, GALIPS (Gays and Lesbians in the Prison System), The Manchester College and National Prison Radio.
Manchester Pride is an annual festival celebrating Manchester’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender culture and life. It attracts thousands of visitors to the city.
The float was designed and created as part of a month long diversity project run through the education department at HMP Hindley with the help of Manchester College. The project also involved young people taking part in group work and discussions around homophobia and bullying to raise awareness and challenge attitudes.
Members of the POPS team got fully into the spirit of the 80’s theme to show their support for LGBT individuals in the prison system and to promote the Offenders’ Families Helpline!