Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.
In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included? We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.
Today, we're honoured to be joined by Mike Parish, a 2024 Attitude Magazine Pride Award winner. Mike's story is one of love, dedication, and advocacy. After meeting his Husband Tom in 1975 they shared 47 years together. When Tom was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy — a rare and degenerative form of dementia — Mike became his primary carer, navigating both the practical and emotional complexities of caring for the person he loved. Out of this experience, Mike co-founded the LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group in 2022, working to ensure that LGBTQ+ people facing dementia receive the support, dignity, and understanding they deserve.


In Part One, we hear Mike and Tom’s story: their life together as a couple, and their journey through dementia, love, and loss. In Part Two, Mike shares insights from his advocacy work and lived experience, including how we can better support LGBTQ+ people — and those closest to them — when they are unwell or approaching the end of their life. 


If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk  and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk 
Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd
Produced by Sarah Dowd
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore
Resources:
Ted and Noel Film ⁠https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk/ted-noel-film-fighting-homophobic-abuse-in-care-homes/⁠
Dementia Advisory Group ⁠http://lgbtqdementia.org/webinar-series/⁠
Compassion in Care ⁠https://blogs.kcl.ac.uk/socialcareworkforce/2023/02/20/going-into-the-care-closet/⁠ ⁠Support Services in the Sector | Stonewall⁠



Belonging and Beyond: Caring with Pride; a Husband's Story (Part 2)

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