A former nightclub owner has told of his 'shock' after being nominated for a diversity award following his work in mental health awareness and the LGBTQ+ community.
Matt Campbell was the owner of popular Middlesbrough nightclub Tiny, which served as a safe space for Teesside's LGBTQ+ community for a number of years before it closed down in 2022. Now working as a cognitive behavioural therapist, the 34-year-old is striving to normalise people going to therapy and reduce the stigma around seeking help for mental health issues.
The Billingham man has now been nominated for an ITV Diversity Award, a scheme which honours role models and community organisations within the equality and diversity sector. Matt has been anonymously nominated by people who know him best and who he has helped over the years.
Speaking after his nomination, Matt said: "The nomination has come as a big shock, it's all been a bit mad! Although the nominations are public I don't know who's nominated me or who's written all the lovely comments but they've made me a bit teary-eyed to be honest, the comments are gorgeous and really life affirming for me - I felt quite overwhelmed reading them.
"I've been nominated for the Positive Role Model in LGBTQ+ Community Award as I used to own Tiny in Middlesbrough and I know me and many others saw that club as our little home, I was really sad when we had to close down. I've always looked out for other people in the LGBTQ+ community and that has filtered in to my work as a cognitive behavioural therapist."
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Source: www.gazettelive.co.uk