London Alternative Market live stream equipment

Hi, I’m Zebbie, I’ve been volunteering for London Alternative Market (LAM) since 2019 and I’ve been a member of the crew for the last year.

The market which is held on the first Sunday of the month in Leadenhall, is a fantastic event that brings the kink community together.

It's not just about the shopping, it's a place where kinky people can come together and socialise. There is also the educational element that the workshops provide. Every month there is a Healthy Mental Practices Session with The Kink Shrink where she covers topics on kink, relationships and communication. There are then a variety of other workshops every month from traders and members of the kink community on various elements of kink including how to use whips, floggers and dragon tails to name a few.

During the long periods of lockdowns, LAM had to adapt.

The market was no longer able to be run as usual. However, people needed the kink community more than ever to stay connected to their kink friends throughout that difficult time. Especially when going through lockdown in a vanilla house! From this LAM Lives were created, weekly online sessions that brought everyone together and brought the workshop feeling from the market into people's homes. It was an essential way of helping people still feel connected to the kink community.

When the market started back up in person, the LAM Lives changed and became a live streaming of the workshops. Still providing similar content but from the live event in Leadenhall. It is important to continue to do the live streaming as it allows those from other countries or that aren't able to come to the physical market, who got involved through the lockdown lives to stay involved.

Unfortunately, the Surface Pro that we used for the live streaming no longer works as the input channel on the sound card has stopped working. To replace it would cost more than the unit itself, so we are in need of a new Surface Pro. It is possible to buy one 2nd hand for around £1,500 which we will do if we are unable to meet our fundraising target. But it would be much better if we were able to buy a new one as it would have the longevity to allow LAM to continue to do live streaming for the long-term future. With the accessories that are needed as well, this will cost around £3,000.

In the 17 years that London Alternative Market has been trading, it has been completely self funding. However, with the impact that Covid has had, LAM just isn't able to fund the equipment needed to continue the live streaming and realistically won't be able to until at least the end of the year. Without this funding, we will continue to have to make patches that may not work or may even have to stop doing the live streams until replacement equipment can be afforded.

This is where you come in! Times are financially difficult right now for everyone, but if we all come together we can make this happen. If you have ever enjoyed the live stream or a workshop at LAM or want to support the kink community then please consider donating.

Thank you! Zebbie x