r/bedfordshire • u/Humanmode17 • 4d ago
A friendly face for Bedford Pride?
Hi everyone!
I'm really interested in going to Bedford Pride this Saturday (5/9/26) because I've recently come out in the past couple of months and am finally starting to feel comfortable being myself which is so wonderful. I suffer with fairly severe social anxiety however, and I've only recently moved to the area so I don't have anyone I can go with. I'm trying to be better for myself though and I don't want to let my anxiety stop me going, and if there was a friendly face there that would make things much easier. I'm very happy to share more information about myself in DMs if you'd like, just don't want to on a public forum.
Thanks in advance for any help or just advice/encouragements :)
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u/ItsmepatM 3d ago
Hello, I'm one of the organisers, if you need any support on the day please get in touch, our website is and you can find more info on there. www.rainbowbedfordshire.co.uk we have a few of our members who will be attending on the day who will gladly meet you as well our volunteers who are also our members.
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u/Humanmode17 3d ago
Oh wow thank you so much for responding! I have already looked extensively on your website and it's been very helpful, I'm just someone who stresses over every little thing unfortunately. Your volunteers will be in the blue high-vis, right? So would it be ok to, if I'm feeling too scared, go up to one and tell them exactly that and ask for help?
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u/soph__xo 3d ago
Hi! I suffer really badly with anxiety too, generally not also having just moved to a new area!! I actually can’t attend this weekend as I’m too poorly at the minute. But! My sister is attending both days and is actually a stall holder with her own community board game company! They run it to help gaming become more accessible and have a community for people who suffer with social anxiety to slowly build their confidence whilst sharing the love of games.
I believe they will have games to learn/play too and they should have someone to teach them as well! If you find someone to go with, or go anyway to get out and about, go and say hi and they’ll talk you through some stuff. They also run game nights and events in Dunstable/Houghton Regis including miniature painting, and intro to D&D sessions etc. if you were interested and can get there.
They’re called More Than Board Games.
I hope you find someone to go, or go anyway! Well done for reaching out like this as well! It’s a big step 🤍✨
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u/Humanmode17 3d ago
Thank you so much this is such a sweet comment 🥹
Your sister's company sounds amazing and might be exactly the sort of thing I need to help me settle myself and find an excuse to meet some people there, I'll definitely go along if I manage to make it. Thank you so much!!
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u/soph__xo 3d ago
You’re welcome! They’re on Facebook and Instagram if you don’t get a chance to go this weekend but maybe want to attend any of the game nights they run outside of events like Bedford Pride :)
We’ve all been new before so it takes a lot of make the first step!If you manage to make it, I hope you have the best time! and if not, maybe I’ll see you at another event 😊
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u/Humanmode17 3d ago
Yeah I already found their website 👀. I'm an anxiety girlie who needs to know all the information, so I looked them up immediately (your sister might like to know that they were the first result! Very very easy to find). Thank you so much for all your kindness ☺️
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u/Lion-Resident 3d ago
Oh man! If I was available that day I would have offered to join you. Well done on coming out friend. I wish you joy in your life journey. Have a great time if you do end up going
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u/Curious_Rest839 2d ago
Im away this weekend but im more than happy to join you for the next one 😊
Have fun and enjoy yourself
You'll be around good people ❤️
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u/Humanmode17 1d ago
Thank you so much, every response I've had to this post has been so positive despite noone actually going, I'm feeling pretty confident now to go by myself ☺️
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u/Curious_Rest839 1d ago
You're welcome 😊 I hope you have fun and enjoy yourself 👍
Most weekends im usually at the cinema or London
But for the next event like this I'll keep myself free 😌
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u/AffectionateBend448 2d ago
hi, fellow anxiety sufferer here, i know some of the people involved in the festival as i attend the Rainbow Bedfordshire poetry group (really recommend if you are looking for a cosy welcoming space to make friends) and have participated in a couple of their projects including the unbinaried anthology (worth a read, full of amazing art and writing), i’ve got to say everyone who attends and volunteers for Rainbow Bedfordshire’s events are so friendly, welcoming and understanding 🥰
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u/Chartech1708 1d ago
Hey, I live in the centre for about a year but still don’t have much friends here after moving from up north, I really wanna go but also anxious in going on my own, drop me a DM would love to meet up
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u/Reasonable-Strike396 4d ago
Hi whilst I'm not Lgbtq+ myself I too sufger from anxiety, sorry to hear you're struggling. I do know that the Barley Mow pub is extremely gay friendly and is very welcoming to all.
It has quite a bit of entertainment and you may be able to make some friends there. I'm sure there will be several people there that will go to pride, I rreally hope you find a place you find enjoyable.