18/03/2025
ARRAN PRIDE
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION PACK
[email protected]
31st May 2025
Arran Pride is an organisation led by volunteers living on Arran.
Established in 2022 Arran Pride had its first march on 2nd June 2022 which was a great success and has paved the way for Arran Pride 2025.
We are not a registered charity but have charitable aims and objectives and rely on fundraising and donations to fund our events and raise awareness.
From our fundraising we have managed to set up a website which will be a valuable resource for us to share information with our LGBTQIA+ community, we also hope to set up a local LGBTQI+ group on the Island to help combat loneliness and isolation and also help provide support and guidance to our younger members of the community identifying as LGBTQIA+.
The committee members are made up from the Chair (Michael Gettins) Secretary (Nethan Mcnaughton) Treasurer (Kenny Leishman) Volunteer Coordinator (Kenny Leishman) and committee members Julia Bovee, Andrew Dickie,and Sofia Pantazidou.
We are a diverse group made up from different age groups, professions and both identifying as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies of our LGBTQIA+ community.
The purpose of Arran Pride is to promote equality and diversity throughout Arran and the surrounding areas, through providing safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community and it's allies to come together to celebrate and promote equal rights throughout Scotland and across the world.
ARRAN PRIDE EVENT 2025
Another event that will take place is our popular best dressed window competition where businesses on the Island have a chance to join in the fun decorating their windows which make the island just that little bit more colourful during Arran Pride, the winner holds a handmade stained glass trophy designed and made on Arran by Kez glass until the following year.
We have an early start on Saturday morning 31st May from 9am setting up gazebos, the stage, merchandise stall and setting the Brodick Hall for the evening event so many hands would be greatly appreciated at this point.
We then gather at the ferry terminal on Market Road and will do a briefing for volunteers at 12noon so everyone knows what part they will play, we will welcome visitors to Arran Pride off the ferry and give them some direction before the march sets off at 12.30pm.
The March makes it way down Brodick main street on to the park area behind the Brodick Hall where volunteers will help to keep our visitors safe and out of danger. Once we reach the park at the Brodick Hall all volunteers will help guide visitors and give advice on the agenda for the day.
The March will have an Arran drumming band leading accompanied by Salsa dancers, a pipe band and the My Bus service will be available for those who can’t physically walk the march so nobody is left behind, we will also allocate flags to bearers evenly down to full march. Our theme this year is Carnival so feel free to be flamboyant and colourful.
We have lots of entertainment on from 1pm until 4pm and volunteers will help keep areas clean and tidy, as well as helping at our Pride stall selling merchandise, Arran Pride will make available light snacks and drinks for the volunteers during the afternoon.
The entertainment in the afternoon will be held inside the Brodick Hall where we will have the rainbow stage this will include live music, dancing with audience participation and key speakers.
We will also have a range of information stalls and a youth zone outside.
Please note that the afternoon event is alcohol free and volunteers will be expected to report activities that breach the local byelaws on alcohol to the site Manager.
After the event closes at 4pm we will need help to clear and clean the park area and safely store away equipment as well as helping to set up the hall for the evening event if not already done.
The evening event is a Ceilidh fundraiser starting at 8pm and finishing at 11pm, this event does not require many volunteers and is normally run by the Arran Pride committee, this event caters for a maximum of 100 people and has a bar service available, (bring your own bottle is not permitted).
Our Sunday 1st June event will be held at the Douglas Hotel in Brodick from 11am to 4pm and will involve a Dook in the water, live music entertainment with a BBQ, again as the Douglas Hotel will be organising this day our volunteers can take a break and join in the fun, if you are planning to go for a Dook please bring along you own towels and dry clothes as the Douglas Hotel can’t offer changing facilities.
We expect to have around 40 volunteers for Saturday 1st June to cover all areas and we will let everyone know the types of duties we are needing covered and hopefully we will have allocated names to all duties well before the day, we will also compile training materials for the volunteers and need to get all volunteers to fill in a volunteers registration form before the 1st June to keep us compliant for our insurance cover.
We are always looking out for fresh faces to join our committee so if you would like to be part of our team just let us know and we can discuss what part you would like to play making the best use your skills.
VOLUNTEER ROLES AND DUTIES
Volunteers to set up equipment and decorations (morning of 31st May).
Marshalls, Stewards for the March.
Stewards for event in the park.
Volunteers to keep areas clean and tidy and assist visitors.
Volunteers to run merchandising stall.
Volunteers to help clear down after event in the park at 4pm.
WE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH
Any essential training required
A high visibility vest
A volunteer lanyard
Light snack and drinks
help and support
EXPECTATIONS OF VOLUNTEERS
1) Volunteers to attend any training sessions, meetings and events organised.
2) Volunteers are expected to show up in time for pre- event information
3) Volunteers are expected to adhere to Arran Pride Policies and Procedures.
4) Volunteers are expected to respect the confidentiality of all other committee members, Volunteers and Guests working with Arran Pride.
5) Volunteers are expected to respect the confidentiality of Arran Pride and all matters discussed at Volunteer meetings.
VOLUNTEER ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY
It is essential that Arran Pride Committee Members and volunteers maintain a professional image and are not involved in the taking of drugs, alcohol and other controlled substances while on duty, this is essential to maintain a high level of awareness to help keep the public safe.
On duty refers to volunteers physically working or preparing to work with the public before and during Arran Pride, this is to protect you and the public.
Volunteers should not partake in the taking of drugs, alcohol and controlled substances during their break.
Volunteers should also wear their lanyard and high visibility vest at all times while on duty for easy identification by the public should they require assistance.
Volunteers should make themselves aware of who is the acting first aider working at the event as well as who the Site Manager is.
Arran Pride kindly asks that volunteers act in a responsible and professional manner at all times as disorderly behaviour from committee members and volunteers will reflect poorly on Arran Pride as an organisation.
Thank you for being part of Arran Pride
Kenny Leishman (Volunteer Coordinator)
