Meet the Committee / Selwyn Jones

When did you become a committee member?
Reading Pride started planning in 2003 and I was at the first meeting!

What other volunteering work have you done?
I've been involved with youth work for 17 years and run youth groups in West Berkshire, been a Duke of Edinburgh's Award co-ordinator and until recently was a youth worker with ReachOUT Reading's LGBT youth group.

When/Where did you hear about Reading Pride?
A lady called Leslee Hopper was a co-worker of mine at ReachOUT and she was the originator of the Reading Pride idea. She talked about having a meeting and partner and best mate were going so I said 'okay I'd better go too!

What have you done for Reading Pride in the past?
Well I was vice chair for a bit and chair for a couple of years before having a lovely queeny hissy fit and taking some time out! But it's difficult to give it up so I'm now a trustee and as I like to put it 'general busybody and interfering old git!

What do you do for Reading Pride now?
It's nice not having the pressure of a defined role and just being able to chip in and help out. I get to do a bit of everything, whatever someone needs help with really. I love helping Loz manage the site 'cos I get to wear a hard hat and hi viz jacket and put a flashing light on top of my car!

How has volunteering for Reading Pride benefited your personal/professional development?
Difficult one to answer since I have never really thought about it. It has certainly helped me build up contacts within Reading in all sorts of areas and I have made firm friendships over the years with so many new people.

Would you recommend volunteering for Reading Pride?
Absolutely, definitely yes. There are two brilliant things you get out of it. Firstly you get to work with a vibrant, intelligent and yes sometimes challenging group of people, but it is really stimmulating. Secondly you get to see people enjoy something you have been involved in doing.

What is your best Reading Pride moment?
Sounds silly, but it's a time not a moment. It's that time during the festival when just for a few minutes you sit and watch the world go by and you see everyone having a good time. All those smiles makes you think that you've done something right. Hope so!