Bringing communities together to celebrate LGBTQIA+ and diversity.
We are working to change attitudes by providing young people and our communities with a safe space to explore their identity and be proud of who they are.

Thank you to our funders:


About Us
Pride in Teesdale is a vibrant initiative dedicated to supporting young people, individuals, and families within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Our mission is to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood. Through educational programs, support groups, and community events, we aim to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and advocate for equality.
Our project not only provides a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to express themselves but also works tirelessly to raise awareness and support within the wider Teesdale area.


YMCA Teesdale Pride Cafe
Wednesdays, 6pm-7pm at Cockfield Community Cafe, Lipscomb Hall, Bishop Auckland, DL13 5DL
Join us for relaxed evening sessions where members of the LQBTQIA+ community and friends can feel safe.
Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ community and interested in Film?
If you or someone you know is interested in filmmaking, and is part of the LGBTQIA+ community or is an ally and wants to meet other local queer people, this could be the opportunity for you!
We’ve recently received funding to start an exciting film project and we’d love for you to get involved.


Pride In Teesdale Events Programme
Along with our partners, we’ve created a programme of arts events and activities across Teesdale bringing communities together to celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture and diversity.
The September 2024 – February 2025 programme includes a youth and family pride event, a film season, a programme of ceilidh events, artist led workshops and an art installation by Lady Kitt as well as a celebration event as part of LGBTQIA+ History Month.
We want everyone to feel welcome, included and proud of where they live. So come along, take part and enjoy this varied programme of events and activities with something for everyone.
Teesdale Youth And Family Pride
When: 10:00 – 16:00, Sun 8 Sept 2024
Where: TCR Hub, Barnard Castle, DL12 8TD
For who: Children, young people and families (children 8 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult).
How to book: This event is FREE. No need to book – just drop in! (Booking is required for the Creative Youth Challenge – please see adjacent and visitwww.tcrhub.co.uk/teesdale-youth-and-family-pride/ to book).
This September, join us in celebrating Teesdale’s LGBTQIA+ community in Barnard Castle. From fun family arts & crafts at Mini Pride to a Pride Market and drop-in activities for young people throughout the TCR hub, as well as the Creative Youth Challenge for 12-16 year olds. This event is FREE to attend.
Photo credit: Lauren Close
Creative Youth Challenges at Teesdale Youth and Family Pride
Calling all LGBTQIA+ 12-16 year olds! Are you up for a Creative Youth Challenge? Join us at TCR Hub for a day filled with creativity, and a party-style parade in the grounds of the Hub. The day is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ young people’s pride and resilience. Come and connect, create, and help build a community in a supportive environment. Taking part is FREE, but sign up is essential through the TCR Hub at www.tcrhub.co.uk/teesdale-youth-and-family-pride/ . Food and drinks will be provided.
As part of the Creative Youth Challenge, we need to ensure that we have the answers to a number of questions for each young person attending so please book at www.tcrhub.co.uk/teesdale-youth-and-family-pride/.
Photo credit: Haydn Brown

Film: All of Us Strangers
When: 19:30, Thurs 26 Sept 2024
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: For ages 15+
How to book: Tickets: £5. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before. Shown with subtitles.
Film: Strange World
When: 14:00, Tues 29 Oct 2024
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Children, young people and families. Film rated PG
How to book: Tickets: Children: £3. Adults: £4. Family of 4: £12. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
The legendary Clades are a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest and most crucial mission, as they embark on a journey to a mysterious subterranean land inhabited by surreal lifeforms, in order to save a miracle plant Pando that is their society’s source of energy. The film is celebrated for introducing Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first openly LGBTQIA+ lead character.
Film: Pride
When: 19:30, Wed 27 Nov 2024
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: For ages 15+
How to book: Tickets: £5. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
Pride is a 2014 historical comedy-drama film written by Stephen Beresford and directed by Matthew Warchus. Based on a true story, it depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners’ strike in 1984, at the outset of what would become the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign. It was screened as part of the Directors’ Fortnight section of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Queer Palm award. Shown with subtitles.
Film: Pride in Teesdale
When: 14:00, Tues 18 Feb 2025
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Young people, adults
How to book: Tickets: FREE but must booked. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
This film is a culmination of a project led by YMCA Teesdale working with local young people, to explore what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community in rural and isolated communities. The film explores the importance of connecting with others, sharing stories and building pride and resilience.


DIY Ceilidh
Date 1: 18:30, Sat 19 Oct 2024 at The Randolph Community Centre, Evenwood, DL14 9RE
Date 2: 18:30, Sat 30 Nov 2024 at Scarth Hall, Staindrop, DL2 3LD
Date 3: TBC
For who: Families, young people, adults (under 16’s must be accompanied by a responsible adult)
How to book: Tickets: £5. Under 16’s: FREE.
DIY Ceilidh is a Newcastle based folk dance collective. With a focus on inclusivity and self-expression, DIY Ceilidh create a unique celebration wherever they go! DIY Ceilidh features gender neutral calling and a varied repertoire, with beloved ceilidh classics alongside less known European folk standards, creating a dynamic dance night that flows between the old and new. All welcome – on your own or with friends, beginners or experienced dancers!



Pride Outside: Exhibition
When: Tues 21 Jan 2024 – Fri 14 Feb 2025
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Everyone!
How to book: This event is FREE. Please visit during The Witham’s opening hours.
This installation, crafted from fabric, rope, recycled paper and reused plastics, by Disabled sculptor and Drag King Lady Kitt is a folk-art inspired shrine to Pride in rural communities and places. The work includes a variety of small hand-made items made by Kitt and coauthors involved in the project. Visitors are invited to make their own objects to leave as part of the work or take away with them, if they wish, as a physical reminder of the work.
Kitt says “I’ve always been absolutely obsessed with folk art celebrations and shrines. Shrines often invite people to add offerings of handwritten prayers, devotional objects and bouquets, always incorporating invitations for visitors or audiences to add to an installation over time. I like the idea that a place isn’t just made by, or for, one person at one time, but continually, collectively, created and cared for. Folk practices, like Morris dancing, make regular opportunities for communities to get together and be creative. They also offer time for emotional and practical support to be shared. In my work I call these combinations of art-making and support-giving ‘creative intimacies’. To me, this is the same with queer cultural gatherings like Pride, which is formed through, documents, and supports the lives of the people who organise and attend it. All this stuff is often referred to as ‘intangible’ heritage. For me, it is also ‘emotional heritage’. I’m interested in how I can collaborate with other people to create space for our queer emotional heritage to happen and to be documented. This installation is about creating time and resources for people to experiment with this.”

Pride Outside: Drop-in Crafting Sessions
Date 1: 16:30-19:00, Wed 9 Oct 2024, YMCA Community Cafe, Cockfield, DL13 5AE (Part of YMCA Teesdales’s Youth and Pride Groups)
Date 2: 19:00-20:30, Thurs 24 Oct 2024, TCR Hub, Barnard Castle, DL12 8TD (Part of TCR Hub’s ‘Safe’ Group for ages 14+)
Date 3: Sat 9 Nov 2024 CANCELLED
Date 4: 11:00-15:00, Sat 25 Jan 2025, The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
Date 5: 11:00-15:00, Sat 1 Feb 2025, The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Everyone! Children 8 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Some of these events are specifically for young people, please see above for details.
How to book: This event is FREE. Just drop in!
Join Disabled sculptor and Drag King Lady Kitt, for crafting sessions. Kitt will invite you to make things while you think and chat about what it means to be proud of our community and how we can create welcoming, safe and comfortable spaces for everyone. These workshops will help inspire the Pride Outside installation at The Witham in January 2025.
Photo credit: Rachel Deakin

Pride Outside: Artists' Workshop
When: 13:00-15:00, Tues 5 Nov 2024
Where: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP
For who: Artists, Creatives and Arts Workers
How to book: Visit www.bowesmuseum.org.uk or call 01833 690606
Join Disabled sculptor and Drag King Lady Kitt on this session for arts workers who would like to share practice around building projects, artworks and events in access centred ways. The workshop will focus on access for LGBTQIA+ communities and Disabled people. During the session we will collectively build and dismantle a physical obstacle course in the space. Using huge fabric tubes, inflatable elements and giant sheets of brightly coloured recycled materials attendees will be encouraged to experiment creatively, whilst considering the access implications of their work.
LGBTQIA+ What Now? What Next?
When: Feb 2025 date to be announced. Please see the website below for more details.
Where: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NP
For who: Everyone!
How to book: Visit www.bowesmuseum.org.uk or call 01833 690606
This symposium style event during LGBTQIA+ History Month will invite groups from across Teesdale to come together to celebrate the work that has been done over the past year to raise awareness and increase representation of LGBTQIA+ work in the region and think about how we move forward together. Please visit The Bowes Museum’s website above for more details nearer the time.

You might also like to know about…

Baga Chipz - Material Girl: The Very Harsh, Much Betta! Tour 2024
When: 19:30, Sat 14 Sept 2024
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Young people and adults (ages 16+)
How to book: Tickets: £25. Meet and Greet: £37.50. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
Join Baga Chipz MBE; actress, singer- songwriter, comedian, ex-Page 3 Model, Ladies Darts Champion, professional shoplifter and MILF, as she embarks on a nationwide theatre tour coming to a town near you!
Expect hilarious outrageous crass blue comedy, live vocals, dazzling costumes, drunken antics and the tale of a single mum from the Black Country who became one of the nation’s best loved stars. Hosted by the fabulous gender bender Mutha Tucka, this is one show not to be missed!
Expect adult themes. The Meet and Greet will be pre show (6pm) and will be a quick photo-op style meet and greet where fans will be able to take pictures/get things signed from Baga Chipz.

Chris While and Julie Matthews
When: 19:30, Fri 25 Oct 2024
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Young people and adults (ages 16+)
How to book: Tickets: £16-£18. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
“They light up the room with their amazing energy” James Taylor
“Truly gifted human beings” Richard Hawley
With 30 years of unrivalled musical partnership and gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, much beloved British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews celebrated a quarter of a century last year as one of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country. Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial wastelands of the north, to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart and everything in between.
“Chris While is the best singer in
England” Eddi Reader
Froots simply called Julie Matthews ‘awesomely talented’.

Funny Way To Be Comedy Club - Zoe Lyons: Werewolf
When: 19:30, Sat 8 Feb 2025
Where: The Witham, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
For who: Young people and adults (ages 14+)
How to book: Tickets: £17. Visit www.thewitham.org.uk or call 01833 631107
If life is a journey, Zoe’s has had more than its share of potholes and diversions: from diving with sharks, to sitting in a shed in Vietnam with a former health secretary (and discovering that MPs aren’t the only parasites she has to worry about).
Navigating the road to happiness can be exhausting and baffling. But Zoe’s been on that road long enough now that she’s felt a change – not as in the menopause. A real change. If happiness is ending up the best version of yourself, Zoe is finally getting there. She is where she needs to be. She is… werewolf.
The host of BBC’s ‘Lightning’, a regular on ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘QI’, and ‘Mock The Week’ – and a survivor of ‘Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins’ and ‘World’s Most Dangerous Roads’ on Dave – Zoe is one of the country’s best-loved comedians.
Pride Cafe
When: 18:00-19:00 every Wednesday
Where: YMCA Community Cafe, Cockfield, DL13 5AE
For who: Everyone!
How to book: Just drop in!
The Pride Cafe provides a safe space for everyone to come together, meet other community members, take part in crafts, arts and listen to music. The cafe is open for refreshments and light bites.
Safe
When: 18:30-20:00 every Thursday
Where: TCR Hub, Barnard Castle, DL12 8TD
For who: Young people aged 14+
How to book: Just drop in!
This is a friendly, safe and inclusive space promoting healthy relationships for allies or members of the LGBTQ+ community aged 14+ to chat, chill and come together.

Get in touch with us!

Pride in Teesdale 2024 is funded by Arts Council England and Esme Fairbairn. Pride in Teesdale is an ongoing partnership led by YMCA North Tyneside and includes Curious Arts, Northern Heartlands, TCR Hub, The Bowes Museum and The Witham.
Funders


Partners
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