Student Nurse, Alison Bradford, reports on her experience of Pride
As I was walking along Baker Street in London heading to the float, I suddenly became anxious. What if this is the year the NHS gets booed? When was the last time you heard something positive about the NHS in the press?
As the float came together, we put on the blue t-shirts and went for a walk; I could feel I was part of something special. Everyone was acknowledging the NHS workers. On the float, there were people who were bound to the same code of conduct as me, bound to the same professional values as me who were friendly and part of the whole NHS picture. It was a multidisciplinary team in one area working together. It felt special to be part of something as big as the NHS birthday as well as London Pride.
Once the parade started, the atmosphere on the float was exciting, happy and contagiously vibrant and proud. Just a place you would want to be. The crowd were just as excited to see us which kept us going. Their support and encouragement was amazing. Even when the music died for a moment, we worked together to put on a show. After all, isn’t that what we do?
I was asked when it was all over ‘will you be on the float next year?’ My answer…well what do you think?