Liverpool-based LGBTQ+ charity Sahir House has announced the return of Access Pride, the city’s only fully accessible, sober Pride event, taking place on Saturday 25 July 2026at The Brink, Parr Street, Liverpool.

Liverpool, May 2026, Sahir House, a Liverpool-based LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing charity, is proud to confirm that Access Pride will return on Saturday 25 July 2026 at The Brink, 15-21 Parr Street, Liverpool, L1 4JN, building on the remarkable success of its inaugural pilot event.

The original Access Pride welcomed over 200 attendees and saw 80% of those who attended report feeling “welcomed, included, and valued.” Notably, 30% of attendees were taking part in a Pride event for the very first time, a powerful indicator of the unmet need Access Pride was created to address.

A Pride Event Born From the Community

Access Pride was conceived directly from community consultation. Feedback gathered at Sahir’s Queer Town Hall made clear that mainstream Pride events across Liverpool and the wider Liverpool City Region were failing to meet the needs of many LGBTQ+ people,  particularly those who are neurodivergent, disabled, in recovery, or simply seeking a safer and more inclusive space to celebrate.

The event was co-designed with members of Sahir’s peer support groups, including Prism, its group for neurodivergent LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as lived-experience community champions representing LGBTQ+ people with disabilities. Their input shaped everything from venue selection and workshop design to the provision of sensory aids, a quiet zone, sign language interpretation, and accessible seating.

Moon Scott, LGBTQ+ Community Engagement Worker at Sahir, said:

“Access Pride is a space to be, to breathe and to celebrate the nuances of being LGBTQ+ through creativity, self-expression and presence. It’s an important space for community, especially recently, to come together and feel hope, inspiration and proud to exist.”

Robin Panrucker, Volunteer from Taylor Wessing, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be sponsoring Access Pride for the second year running. It’s a powerful opportunity to stand alongside a community that champions inclusion, visibility, and belonging. For me personally, having the chance to volunteer at Access Pride makes it even more meaningful — seeing first-hand the impact of creating a safe, welcoming and alternative space where people can celebrate their identity in ways that truly work for them. Whether that’s quieter, more accessible, or simply different to the mainstream, Access Pride ensures everyone can feel seen, supported, and able to be themselves. Being part of this reflects our ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers and creating environments where everyone belongs.”

What Makes Access Pride Different

Access Pride features a curated open mic programme showcasing music, poetry, drag, and theatre from LGBTQ+ artists across the region, alongside community-led workshops. The day is structured to allow attendees to engage at their own pace, opening with a calm welcome hour before building into more lively performances and conversation throughout the afternoon.

As a fully sober, alcohol-free event, Access Pride provides a rare and vital space for LGBTQ+ people in recovery, those with sensory sensitivities, and anyone for whom mainstream Pride events have historically felt inaccessible or unwelcoming.

One attendee said:

“I didn’t realise how much I needed this until I was here. Everything was thought through. I felt seen.”

A spokesperson from The Brink said:

“Empowering Sahir to host Access Pride at The Brink feels like a natural fit. We’re all about creating welcoming, alcohol-free spaces where people can connect without barriers. Inclusive spaces don’t just happen, they’re intentionally created.”

Access Pride Returns, 25 July 2026

With venue capacity previously reached and significant demand from both attendees and partners for a return, Sahir House is delivering a larger and more ambitious Access Pride 2026. Plans include an expanded programme of workshops and performances, and a continued commitment to centring lived experience voices, particularly from marginalised LGBTQ+ communities,  at every stage of planning.

Sahir House said:

“Access Pride is about much more than putting on an event, it is about redefining what Pride can and should be. We want to create a space that is truly inclusive, free and where people of all backgrounds and experiences feel they belong. The response to our first event showed us there is a real hunger for this. We cannot wait to build on it.”

Get Involved

Sahir House is currently seeking performers, workshop leaders, volunteers, partners, and funders to help shape Access Pride 2026. Anyone wishing to get involved is encouraged to get in touch ahead of the 26 July 2026 event date. Email Moon.Scott@sahir.org.uk

We recognise that the recent Supreme Court ruling and subsequent legal changes have caused significant concern, uncertainty, and emotional impact for many within our trans, non-binary, and wider LGBTQ+ communities over the past 13 months and continues to do so.

At Sahir we remain fully committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all folk accessing our services.

We understand that developments in law and policies can feel deeply personal, particularly for marginalised communities who already experience barriers, discrimination, and inequality.

While we continue to review any guidance and implications arising from the ruling, our values remain unchanged.

Sahir are committed to:

• Treating all individuals with dignity, respect, and compassion
• Upholding inclusive practice wherever possible within the law
• Listening to and supporting the communities we support
• Challenging stigma, discrimination, and harm faced
• Advocating for equitable access to services and support

We acknowledge that this period may be distressing for many people. We encourage anyone affected who may need support to reach out to trusted organisations, community networks, or support services such as ourselves.

We will continue to monitor guidance as it develops from today and remain committed to providing spaces where trans, non-binary, and gender diverse people feel seen, valued, and supported.

Our commitment to inclusivity, wellbeing, and dignity remains at the heart of everything we do.

Liverpool’s Pride 2026
Saturday 25th July

The city comes alive.

Liverpool’s Pride is back, and this year, we’re turning it up.

Join thousands of people across the city for a day of joy, music, community, and colour. From the streets to the stages, Liverpool’s Pride 2026 is a celebration of who we are, who we love, and everything we stand for.

Saturday’s host for the day is the incomparable Debbie Darling one Liverpool’s most beloved characters, keeping the energy high, the laughs coming, and the whole thing moving from start to finish.

This year’s lineup brings together some of the most iconic names in LGBTQ+ culture. Renowned multi award winning House of Suarez dance company bring their signature glamour, fierce performances, and theatrical magic to the main stage. And if you grew up dancing in your bedroom in the ‘90s, get ready to lose it completely, Sonia is back, and she’s bringing every bop with her. And Jester Boy, unpredictable, electric, and guaranteed to have the crowd in the palm of his hand. More acts will be announced soon.

Alongside our headliners, expect a packed programme of community performances, local acts, food, art, and everything that makes Liverpool’s Pride feel like home, whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth.

Because Pride isn’t just a party, it’s a statement. And Liverpool makes it loud.

Behind every Pride is a community that shows up year-round. Sahir Matters. Help us keep Sahir House’s vital frontline services running for those who need them. Every donation makes a difference.

Sahir and LCR Pride Foundation have announced a collaboration to deliver a bold and inclusive Pride festival in Liverpool in 2026, on and around the weekend of Saturday 25th July 2026.

The festival will take place under the banner Liverpool’s Pride, continuing the identity and theme that Sahir established through community engagement undertaken in 2025.  The name reflects a shift back towards the roots of Pride and a clear commitment to a community first approach, shaped by and for LGBTQ+ people in Liverpool and across the wider city region.

For 2026, Liverpool’s Pride will carry the subtitle: powered by Sahir & LCR Pride Foundation.

Pride shaped by our communities

This collaboration is grounded in a shared belief that Pride events are strongest when they are led locally, rooted in lived experience, and accountable to the communities they serve.

Liverpool and the wider city region are home to diverse LGBTQ+ communities, each with their own histories, cultures, and voices.  This partnership centres those local and regional voices, ensuring Pride continues to reflect real lives, real challenges, and real joy.

At the same time, Liverpool’s Pride remains connected to the wider national and international LGBTQ+ community.  It stands in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people everywhere, while remaining firmly grounded in the values, politics, and character of the city.

Building on 2025 and looking ahead

In 2025, Liverpool’s Pride took place in exceptional circumstances, with Sahir stepping in to ensure LGBTQ+ communities could still come together, be visible, and feel supported.

That moment reinforced the strength, resilience, and solidarity of Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ communities, and has shaped a shared commitment to Pride as more than a single event.  Pride is about connection, care, and visibility throughout the year.

Planning for Liverpool’s Pride 2026 is now underway, with Sahir and LCR Pride Foundation working together to deliver a Pride that is inclusive, accessible, community led, and full of joy and purpose.

How the collaboration will work

Sahir will lead on the overall coordination and delivery of Liverpool’s Pride, ensuring a strong community focus at its heart.

LCR Pride Foundation will lead on the muster, parade and community stalls, working in close partnership with Sahir to create a safe, welcoming, and powerful moment of collective visibility.

Together, the charities will establish a community forum to invite partners, allies, and voices from across Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ communities to come together, share ideas, and help shape Pride.  Further details on how people can get involved will be shared in due course.

Gerard Bowers McIntyre, Chair of Sahir’s Board of Trustees, said:

“Sahir has been supporting LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV for decades, and the depth and consistency of that work matters enormously.

Pride is a powerful expression of visibility and solidarity, but it only truly has impact when it is connected to support, prevention, care, and advocacy that happens every day.  Pulling together in this way allows us to strengthen that work and helps ensure that the attention and investment around Pride also sustains the services our communities rely on throughout the year.”

Amanda Hilton, Chair of LCR Pride Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said:

“I want to thank Sahir for what it achieved in supporting Pride in Liverpool in 2025 during a challenging year.

LCR Pride Foundation is entering a new chapter with a refreshed Board and a renewed approach. Collaboration is very much the key to ensuring that the City has the Pride it wants and one that the City can be proud of.”

Ant Hopkinson, CEO of Sahir, added:

“This collaboration is about our communities, listening to them, standing alongside them, and creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued.

Togetherness matters, especially at a time when many LGBTQ+ people are feeling under pressure or unheard.  Sahir is open, approachable, and keen to be in dialogue with community members, organisers, artists, partners, and stakeholders.  Pride is something we build together, and that conversation matters all year round.”

What happens next

Over the coming months, Sahir and LCR Pride Foundation will:

– Continue listening to LGBTQ+ communities and local voices
– Develop opportunities for people to get involved in Liverpool’s Pride 2026
– Share further updates as plans progress

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to Pride that is led by communities, grounded locally, and built to last.

Register Your Interest Here!

Sahir is marking the end of a momentous chapter as our CEO Ant Hopkinson prepares to step down after four years of leadership, growth, and transformation.

This moment comes as Sahir moves into its 41st year and reflects on a long history of standing alongside communities affected by HIV and championing LGBTQ+ health and rights.

Ant joined Sahir in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when our charity was facing an uncertain future. Financial pressures, shifting demand, and the wider impact of COVID meant the road ahead was far from clear. Working closely with the communities we serve, colleagues, volunteers, partners, and allies, we stabilised the charity and built strong foundations for what came next. Today, Sahir is stable, ambitious, and ready for its next chapter.

Over the past four years, Sahir has strengthened its financial footing, expanded its reach, and deepened its influence locally and nationally as a trusted voice for people living with HIV and our LGBTQ+ communities. More people than ever before are now accessing our services and support.

During Ant’s tenure, Sahir rebranded and realigned its vision to be more community centred, more responsive, and more ambitious, strengthening our identity, clarifying our priorities, and positioning us for long term impact and growth.

New services have been developed to meet emerging and often unmet needs. These include Sahir’s dedicated support service for LGBTQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum, an intensive support service for people living with HIV who have complex needs, and a new trans support service that will launch soon.

Sahir has also created a range of new groups and initiatives that bring people together and strengthen belonging and voice within the community. These include Prism, a group for LGBTQ+ people who are neurodivergent, something close to Ant’s own lived experience as someone who is proudly autistic, alongside our responsive Let’s Talk About gatherings and thematic Queer Town Hall programme, which have created spaces for open dialogue, connection, and stronger community voice.

Research and collaboration have become central to our work over these last four years. Sahir has partnered with Liverpool City Council Public Health to deliver a significant health and wellbeing needs assessment of LGBTQ+ residents in Liverpool, helping to shape future provision and advocacy. We have also spearheaded several research collaborations with Liverpool John Moores University and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to strengthen understanding and improve outcomes for our communities.

Support for people living with HIV has remained at the heart of Sahir’s work, with renewed focus on those who are most underserved and facing complex challenges. This has included strengthening holistic support, building partnerships with brilliant like minded organisations such as CGL, who now support our Wirral HIV and STI testing, prevention, and support service, and ensuring that the voices of people living with HIV continue to shape services and priorities.

Ant has played a key role in bringing our communities and partners together. Safeguarding the future of Liverpool’s Pride at a critical moment stands as one of the clearest examples of this. We are proud to have helped ensure the city retained a visible, community rooted Pride that celebrates and advocates for LGBTQ+ people. This reflects Sahir’s growing civic leadership and our commitment to protecting inclusive spaces across the city region.

Alongside service and programme development, Ant worked closely with trustees to recruit and establish a new board that has now been in place for a year. Our board is well positioned to confidently guide Sahir into its next chapter.

Ant’s leadership forms an important chapter in Sahir’s long history of standing alongside communities affected by HIV and championing LGBTQ+ health, rights, and wellbeing.

Gerard, Chair of Trustees, said:

“Ant leaves Sahir with a legacy of stability, growth, and renewed confidence. His leadership has helped strengthen our services, deepen our partnerships, and reposition Sahir as an ambitious, truly community centred organisation. As we thank Ant for his significant contribution, we also look ahead with optimism. With strong foundations in place, Sahir is well positioned for the future and ready to continue evolving to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

Ant Hopkinson said:

“The greatest privilege of my time at Sahir has been working alongside such extraordinary staff, volunteers, community members, and partners. Their compassion, commitment, and determination are what make Sahir what it is. Together we have supported people living with HIV, stood alongside our LGBTQ+ communities, and created spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported. I care deeply about these causes and about the people at the heart of them, and I will always be proud of what we have achieved together.”

Ant will be moving on to a new role in April that brings him closer to his family in Manchester. He will continue his passion for holistic support built around people and their communities within a charity focused on supporting people who have experienced homelessness.

Sahir’s services will continue as normal throughout this transition. Our staff, volunteers and trustees will work closely together to ensure continuity, stability, and confidence throughout this period.

Sahir will begin the process of recruiting an interim CEO, followed in time by a permanent appointment. We will take the time needed to find a leader who can build on the strong foundations that have been laid and carry the mission forward.

Looking ahead, Sahir remains firmly committed to partnership, community, collaboration, and entrepreneurial energy as it continues to evolve and respond to the needs of the people it serves. We remain ambitious for what comes next.

If you have any messages, thoughts, or questions in relation to this news, please contact us at info@sahir.org.uk.

If you are finding the festive season difficult, you are not alone and support is available. 

For many people the festive season can be joyful, busy and full of connection. For others it can bring pressure, loneliness, grief, financial worry or difficult memories. Sometimes it can be all of these things at once. 

At Sahir, we want to gently remind you that however you are feeling this festive season is valid. There is no right way to experience this time of year and there is no expectation to feel happy, social or grateful if that is not where you are. 

Grief, Loss And Remembrance 

For people living with grief or loss, the festive season can intensify feelings of absence and sadness. You may be missing a partner, friend, family member or a sense of how things once were. Grief does not follow a timetable and it does not pause for Christmas. It is okay to mark the season quietly, differently or not at all. 

Give Yourself Permission To Go At Your Own Pace 

It is okay to say no to invitations, to step back from social spaces or to spend time alone if that feels safer or calmer. It is also okay to seek connection, routine and comfort in ways that work for you. 

Busy environments, social expectations and changes to routine can be particularly challenging if you are anxious or sensitive to sensory overload. It is okay to protect your energy and do what feels manageable. 

If things feel overwhelming, try focusing on one small, kind thing you can do for yourself today. That might be taking a few slow breaths, getting outside for fresh air or reaching out to someone you trust. 

If you are living with HIV, managing your mental health, navigating complex family relationships or carrying additional stress linked to identity, money or housing, this time of year can feel particularly heavy.  

If you take regular medication, including HIV treatment, it may help to check you have enough supplies over the festive period and know where to get help if you need an emergency prescription. 

Sahir Over The Festive Period 

Sahir will be closed to the public from Friday 19th December and will reopen on Monday 5th January. 

While our services are closed, support is still available through the organisations listed below. All helplines and resources shared are open during the Christmas and New Year period. All services listed provide confidential, non-judgmental support. 

Crisis And Emergency Support 

If at any point you feel unable to keep yourself safe, or you are in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E. You deserve urgent care and support. 

For urgent health or mental health advice when it is not an emergency, you can contact NHS 111, available 24 hours a day. 

Support, Advice And Help Over The Festive Break 

Emotional Support And Mental Health 

Samaritans – Call 116 123 – www.samaritans.org 

Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258 – www.giveusashout.org 

NHS 111 – Call 111 – www.nhs.uk 

Mind – www.mind.org.uk 

The Liverpool Light –  www.liverpool-light.org.uk

Lgbtq+ Specific Support 

Switchboard LGBTQ+ Helpline – Call 0300 330 0630 – www.switchboard.lgbt 

Gallop – www.galop.org.uk/support-services

Sexual Health 

NHS Sexual Health Services – www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/sexual-health-services 

Axess Sexual Health – Call 0300 323 1300 – www.axess.clinic 

Money, Debt And Gambling Support 

StepChange Debt Charity – Call 0800 138 1111 – www.stepchange.org 

National Gambling Helpline – Call 0808 8020 133 – www.gamcare.org.uk 

Housing And Emergency Accommodation 

Local council housing team – www.gov.uk/find-local-council 

Liverpool Housing Options – Call 0151 233 3061

Knowsley Housing Options – Call 0151 433 2333

Sefton Housing Options – Call 0151 934 3541  

Wirral Housing Options  – Call 0151 666 5511  

St Helens Housing Options – Call 01744 675150 

Whitechapel – Call 0151 207 7617 – www.whitechapelcentre.co.uk 

Food, Meals And Practical Support 

Local council support – www.gov.uk/find-local-council 

Trussell Trust – www.trusselltrust.org 

Feeding Liverpool – www.feedingliverpool.org/liverpool-christmas-support-page-2025 

A Final Word 

You deserve care, kindness and understanding, especially from yourself. If this season feels hard, you are not alone and help is available. If it feels calm or joyful, that is okay too. 

Sahir remains here for you beyond the festive period and into the new year. We look forward to reopening on Monday 5th January 2026 and continuing to support our communities. 

Take gentle care of yourself.

Join Our Staff Team

Download the Job Description

Download the Application form

About Us

Sahir (formerly Sahir House) is the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region. We are dedicated to fostering a brighter, healthier future for our communities.

We provide practical and emotional support, camaraderie and connection to:

• LGBTQ+ people
• All people living with or affected by HIV

We actively confront injustice, combat discrimination, and address inequalities. By campaigning, we strive to create a fairer and more equitable society for those we serve. Our work is insight and data-driven and our programmes are co-developed with those we serve.

What It Is Like to Work at Sahir

We want people to enjoy working at Sahir and to feel supported, valued and able to thrive. As a health and wellbeing charity, we place strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, reflective practice and work life balance.

We offer a friendly, inclusive and supportive working environment, with access to regular supervision, training and development. Staff are encouraged to build their skills, confidence and experience in ways that support both personal growth and long-term career development.

LGBTQ+ Community Engagement Worker

About the Role

This is a community facing role focused primarily on delivering facilitated LGBTQ+ peer support groups and wider community engagement activity.

You will create and sustain safe, inclusive spaces where LGBTQ+ people can connect, build resilience and feel heard. Alongside regular peer support delivery, you will support outreach, workshops and project specific activity in response to community need and strategic priorities.

The role includes active promotion of groups and proactive engagement with under-represented and marginalised LGBTQ+ communities.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who brings:

• A genuine commitment to LGBTQ+ wellbeing and community empowerment.

• Experience of facilitating groups, engagement or community activity, or transferable experience that demonstrates these skills.

• Strong communication and relationship building skills.
• A willingness to work some evenings and occasional weekends.

• A relevant qualification at NVQ Level 3 or above in social work, health, education or similar is desirable, but equivalent experience and a commitment to learning are equally valued.

We are particularly keen to receive applications from people with lived experience of the issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities, and from those whose voices are under-represented within the sector.

Equality, Inclusion and Accessibility

Sahir is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.

Lived experience is valued at Sahir, but it is not a requirement. We are interested in people who share our values and want to contribute positively to our communities.

You do not need to meet every requirement listed to apply. If you feel aligned with our values and excited by the role, we encourage you to apply.

We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process.

How to Apply

For further information and to apply, please visit our website to download an application pack.

Alternatively, you can email recruitment@sahir.uk.com.

Closing date for applications:
12.00 midday, Friday 16 January 2026

Interviews are expected to take place:
Week commencing 26 January 2026

Download the Job Description

Download the Application form

Join Our Staff Team

Download the Job Description

Download the Application form

About Us

Sahir (formerly Sahir House) is the oldest continuously operating LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region. We are dedicated to fostering a brighter, healthier future for our communities.

We provide practical and emotional support, camaraderie and connection to:

• LGBTQ+ people
• All people living with or affected by HIV

We actively confront injustice, combat discrimination, and address inequalities. By campaigning, we strive to create a fairer and more equitable society for those we serve. Our work is insight and data-driven and our programmes are co-developed with those we serve.

What It Is Like to Work at Sahir

We want people to enjoy working at Sahir and to feel supported, valued and able to thrive. As a health and wellbeing charity, we place strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, reflective practice and work life balance.

We offer a friendly, inclusive and supportive working environment, with access to regular supervision, training and development. Staff are encouraged to build their skills, confidence and experience in ways that support both personal growth and long-term career development.

Counsellor (BACP Registered)

About the Role

This role offers the opportunity for a qualified counsellor to deliver high quality, ethical and affirming counselling within a specialist charity setting.

You will work with LGBTQ+ community members as well as people living with or affected by HIV, providing short term counselling within a stepped care model and a supportive multidisciplinary team. Practice is grounded in the BACP Ethical Framework and informed by the realities of stigma, identity, health and social inequality.

What We Are Looking For

 We are looking for a counsellor who is: 

• A qualified practitioner with a recognised counselling qualification at diploma level or above.
• Registered with BACP or working towards accreditation.
• Committed to ethical, reflective and trauma informed practice.
• Confident working with a range of presenting issues, including complexity.
• Empathic, thoughtful and able to work both autonomously and collaboratively.

We particularly welcome applications from counsellors with lived experience of the issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities and/or people living with HIV, while recognising that strong allies and practitioners from a wide range of backgrounds are equally valued.

Equality, Inclusion and Accessibility

Sahir is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age.

Lived experience is valued at Sahir, but it is not a requirement. We are interested in people who share our values and want to contribute positively to our communities.

You do not need to meet every requirement listed to apply. If you feel aligned with our values and excited by the role, we encourage you to apply.

We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process.

How to Apply

For further information and to apply, please visit our website to download an application pack.

Alternatively, you can email recruitment@sahir.uk.com.

Closing date for applications:
12.00 midday, Friday 16 January 2026

Interviews are expected to take place:
Week commencing 26 January 2026

Download the Job Description

Download the Application form