• NHS to join thousands of people to celebrate Bolton Pride 2024
• Health and care workers will walk the parade through the town centre
• Information stands Victoria Square will provide health support and advice

Health and care workers at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust will be joining thousands of people this weekend to celebrate Bolton Pride 2024.

The annual event gets underway on Saturday (25 May) with the parade, starting at the University of Bolton before making its way through the town centre and finishing in Victoria Square for a weekend of performances.

The trust will be walking the parade alongside charities, businesses and other local organisations.

NHS services will also be hosting a stall in Victoria Square to provide communities with a range of information and advice.

The Bolton Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, which serves patients in Bolton, Salford and Wigan, will be among the teams on hand to provide support.

Nova Martin, Cancer Screening Improvement Lead at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

It’s so important we provide services that are fair and accessible to everyone and ensure that everyone is treated equally.

“I’d like anyone who attends Bolton Pride this weekend to come away with no doubt that Bolton Bowel Cancer Screening Programme will support them in the way that is best for them if and when they join the programme.

“Bowel Cancer affects 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women and often cannot show signs or symptoms until it becomes advanced. Screening is key to early diagnosis and finding changes when they are easier and more effective to eradicate or treat. Screening saves lives.

Bowel screening is currently offered to people who are aged 54 and above, and will soon be extended to those aged 52 and above and then 50 in the coming months.

Bolton Pride provides an opportunity to show support to the trust’s LGBTQ+ community, and has an active Staff Network for colleagues to come together to generate ideas and promote positive changes.

James Mawrey, Director of People and Deputy Chief Executive at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, said:

We’re so proud to be able to support our LGBTQ+ community. This weekend we’ll be celebrating inclusivity and how far we have come, whilst making sure all of our communities feel empowered to access the care they need.

Find out more about the trust’s Staff Networks on our website.