04 May 2012

Hi!  My name is Michael Dolphin and I am the one responsible for the development of this web site as well as initially setting up the Wakefield Gay Group (WaGG).

I am Yorkshire born and bred (originally from Halifax), however for the past 11 years I have been living and working in London.  (I was also living in London between 1989 and 1997).  I was the Training and Development Officer with responsibility of managing a Fostering Training Service in a East London Local Authority.  As a result of government cutbacks and other reasons the job ended in June 2011.   As a result of this I decided to move back to Yorkshire, which I did at the end of July 2011.

Whilst in London, I was a bit of a workaholic and worked long hours, most days and had little social life (even though I liked my vacations).  As well as holding down a full time and demanding job, I was also doing freelance training for numerous other London Borough's. 

I decided that by moving back to Yorkshire, I was going to get a better work/life balance and put greater emphasis on making friends and having a better social life.  I knew no one in the local area at all apart from my brother and my sister who live locally.

Therefore, the idea behind the development of the Wakefield Gay Group (WaGG) was initially born as a way of meeting new and local people with the possibility of making some new friendships along the way.  There was no such group in the local area.  The group had its 1st meeting in September and I was really pleased that 7 people came along.  Even though, I set up the group, I was very keen that wherever possible the group would manage itself and I sought ideas from those present on how the group could be developed etc.  My personal and working life is very much of a consultative rather than a dictator style of working.  Even though, because of my job roles I can be quite clear when needed, but its not my preferred way of being.

I would consider myself to be a creative person and have a creative way of being and working.  Therefore, as a result of my involvement with WaGG and by discussions with others then other ideas have flourished for example the Sunday Lunch Club and the Yorkshire Groups Consortium.  I hope that these activities will be developed during 2012 and in partnership and cooperation by all sections of the LGB&T communities and businesses and support agencies.  Experience has taught me that more is achieved by working with and in partnership with others.

So coming back to me my working background has centered around social work, training and development, lifeskills and community involvement and engagement and I am a qualified counsellor.  Currently, I am setting myself up as a freelance social care trainer and my own counselling and life coaching practice.

When I am not busy working, I love to travel.  In particular going to America and I am aiming to visit all 52 States.   So far I have been to 17.  My favourite States are Florida and California and have been to these two States quite a number of times.  I have also been to Australia, Canada, South Africa and have done a safari and have also experienced my 1st cruise earlier this year (2011).

My other interests include the Internet and the development of web pages/sites, going to the theatre and I did this a lot when I lived in London.  I also love Dolphins and I have been swimming with them quite a few times.  My home is surrounded by Dolphin ornaments and pictures.  I like to go to the cinema or watch a good DVD with a nice bottle of white wine :).  I also like camping, especially in the New Forest.  Even though I have not been camping for a few years I am going to take it back up during 2012.

In closing, I am very much a people person and I am committed in supporting other people (and local communities) to have a better quality of life.  I consider myself to be a caring and compassionate person and hate injustice and wrongdoing towards others.  Those who know me well will describe me as a really good and loyal friend to have.  I am quite a shy person until you get to know me.  I have a great sense of humour.  I am not a massive "scene" person, which was another incentive for setting up WaGG.  Even though occasionally I am known to let my hair down on the scene.  But it doesn't happen very often.

I am a regular user of Facebook and also out in the UK.  Feel free to communicate with me through either Facebook or Out by clicking on the links below.

Home | About Me | Consortium | Meeting Dates | Newsletters | Partnership | Resources | Sexual Health | Sunday Lunch Club | Updates | Yorkshire Groups