Before the start of the conference the Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Councillor Piara Singh Clair took part in the release of 50 balloons in the picturesque grounds of the University of Leicester . Each balloon had a message attached to it and represented 1000 of the estimated 50,000 people living with HIV in the UK at the time of the conference. The first one to be found was No 46, which was found by a woman in the high street of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, whilst walking her dog on the way to get her husband’s newspaper.
Following the balloon release the Lord Mayor opened the conference by welcoming people living with HIV from around the UK to the city of Leicester . The two Changing Tomorrow Chairs, Bernard Forbes (UKC) and Linda Potticary (PW) then introduced the four partner organisations. Elisabeth Crafer (PW) explained how Changing Tomorrow had been planned, Stephen Bitti (UKC) told participants how the results of the UKC Patient Involvement Survey had influenced the programme, Deborah Jack ( NAT ) gave feedback about NAT ’s regional seminars held leading up to the conference and Tom Matthews (NLTSG) talked about the activities already held for newly diagnosed participants.
After the welcome speeches participants were entertained in a more informal way by the International Gospel Dancers, whose colourful traditional costumes and lively dancing got some participants to their feet to join in. This upbeat performance was part of a number of social activities during Changing Tomorrow, which had been carefully considered to appeal to a diverse audience. Then participants adjourned to the marquee where a drinks reception had been kindly sponsored by The Terrence Higgins Trust. Another reception sponsored by NAT was also held for those who took part in the regional seminars.
As the opening of Changing Tomorrow was held on a Sunday and many participants from around the UK would have been travelling most of the day, it was important to provide some activity for Christian people who would have usually attended church on that day. Gathering together so many people living with HIV also highlighted those that had died over the years and a space was needed to acknowledge this. Therefore ‘A time for reflection and prayer’ was held by Canon Margaret Morris, who is an Anglican priest and the Bishop of Leicester’s chaplain for people affected by HIV. This service was for anyone of any denomination to attend, light a candle, say a prayer or just sit quietly.
Dinner was served to participants seated at tables of eight, which encouraged people to chat and get to know one another. The sound of so many people from such diverse backgrounds all talking in the restaurant was a reassuring noise for the organisers. After dinner a different kind of entertainment was provided. ‘The Actionettes’ are an all female 1960s dance group. Their interpretation of some of the classic tunes from the era had the audience clapping and some of the children joined in the dance routine. The lead singer appeared on ‘Stars in Your Eyes’ as Dusty Springfield and repeated her winning performance for participants to rousing applause and demands for an encore. After this some participants took advantage of the reasonably priced bar and others retired to their accommodation for a good night’s sleep and preparation to ‘do something’ the following day.
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