Our Impact
As well as staging an annual LGBTQIA+ event, our purpose is to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Including in particular but not exclusively by raising awareness, engaging with the community, celebrating the diversity of LGBTQIA+ communities and advancing education.
85,000+
People have attended Pride since 2008
102k
Raised over the years to help keep Pride a FREE event
10,000
People
attended Swindon & Wiltshire Pride throughout the day
in 2024!
LARGEST LGBTQIA+ event in Wiltshire
September 2024 - 2025
Rainbow Walk Refreshed for 2025! 🌈✨
Originally created in 2018 through a fantastic collaboration between the Swindon & Wiltshire Pride committee and local businesses, the Rainbow Walk has become a much-loved symbol of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity in the heart of Swindon.
Fast forward to 2025—after a good clean and a fresh coat of paint, the Rainbow Walk is looking vibrant once again! With just days to go until Pride, the weather finally played ball, and our amazing committee members rolled up their sleeves to restore the steps to their full colourful glory.
Here’s to keeping the rainbow shining bright for everyone in Swindon & Wiltshire! 🏳️🌈💖
LGBT+ History Month movie night
To mark the end of LGBT+ History Month, we hosted our first of three cinema nights this year at the stunning independent cinema, Create Studios. We screened the critically acclaimed film "Moonlight," a powerful tale that explores themes of identity, family, and love within the Black LGBTQ+ community. The film, directed by Barry Jenkins, has won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the evening. Your presence and support mean the world to us, and 100% of the ticket sales go back into the vital work we do at Swindon & Wiltshire Pride.
This screening/event was brought to you by the BFI Film Audience Network (FAN) and supported by funds from the National Lottery.
LGBTQIA+ support guide
Every year, we proudly create and distribute an LGBTQIA+ support guide brimming with valuable information. This LGBT+ History Month, we set an ambitious goal of distributing 1,000 support guides across Swindon and Wiltshire. We're thrilled to announce that we surpassed this target, distributing over 1,850 guides!
Our support guides have reached 15 Swindon libraries, 20 Wiltshire libraries, local colleges and schools, Great Western Hospital, Swindon Borough Council, GP surgeries and various local businesses. We are committed to continuing this effort throughout the year as part of our Pride 365 focus.
You can download the support guide here.
Coffee meet up
The first of our monthly Coffee Meet-ups took place on 2 March at Costa Coffee (The Parade, Swindon). It was a great opportunity to meet and catch up with others in the LGBTQIA+ community and to chat with the committee in a relaxed setting.
Swindon Town join forces with Swindon and Wiltshire Pride ahead of EFL's Football v Homophobia Month of Action
Swindon Town FC has partnered with Swindon and Wiltshire Pride for the EFL’s Month of Action for Football v Homophobia. The campaign aims to make football more inclusive and educate people on reporting discrimination. Clubs will use Puma Rainbow Footballs for matches from February 6–17.
Key figures from the club and Swindon and Wiltshire Pride, including manager Ian Holloway and players, participated in a campaign video. Swindon and Wiltshire Pride has supported the LGBTQ+ community since 2008 through fundraising, events, and resources.
See our joint Press Release for more information.
Pride with the Swindon Wildcats 2025
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride had another fantastic evening at the Swindon Wildcats game as part of the English Ice Hockey Association Pride Week celebrations!
This year, we gave out over 25 LGBTQIA+ support guides while chatting with fans about Pride, the Hub, and the importance of inclusivity in sport. Our stall was packed with rainbow merch, pronoun badges, and plenty of great conversations!
We were also awarded the 2025 Pride jersey and were thrilled to see the Wildcats raising funds for us – the total amount to be confirmed soon! A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by, showed their support, and made the night so special
Old Town Light Switch On
James and Sue along with two volunteers attended Swindon’s Old Town Christmas Light Switch On this December. It was a great opportunity to meet with some of the local community, providing information and support, with 20 support guides being given out and another 30 taken for distribution around Wiltshire. We added some Christmas sparkle with LED wands and light tubes available to buy alongside our Pride themed items, all proceeds will go to support putting on Pride 2025
September 2023-2024
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Pride 2024
Swindon and Wiltshire Pride 2024 was a MASSIVE success! We returned bigger & better than ever to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. We had over 1,000 people in our Pride March and over 10,000 people at our new home, GWR Park on the day!
This year at Pride, we had incredible food, live entertainment, an LGBTQIA+ info stall and our merch stall. We are receiving so much amazing feedback and we are excited for what the next year has for Swindon and Wiltshire Pride!
None of this would have been possible without our volunteers, or our Sponsors. Thank you to all the brilliant volunteers who helped out and gave over their time to help support the event and to our Sponsors for their support.
News coverage:
Stride for Pride
Our Pride Stride for Pride fundraiser took place at Coate Water on September 22nd and despite the weather, it was a resounding success! The event brought together a vibrant community of supporters who walked two laps around the lake, showcasing their solidarity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Thanks to the enthusiastic participation and generous sponsorships, we raised valuable funds that will significantly contribute to our ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and support within our community. This event not only highlighted the strength and unity of our community but also demonstrated the positive impact we can achieve together. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this wonderful cause!
Pride in Gloucestershire
We attended Pride in Gloucestershires annual Pride event. Attending local Prides is important for us to promote our charity to communities outside of Swindon. We brought along our Pride merchandise which helps us raise much-needed funds for our charity. We also brought our LGBTQIA+ support guides and gave out over 125.
BBC Wiltshire Make a Difference Awards
In September we attended the BBC Wiltshire make a difference awards. We were nominated as part of the Community category and we were up against some amazing community groups and extremely proud to be nominated.
The well deserved Owens World Foundation won in this category which helps tackle knife crime. Did you know there were over 50k knife-crime offences in 2023! For more information please visit 👇https://www.owensworldfoundation.co.uk/
We were lucky to receive a Finalist Trophy which we proudly display in the Pride Hub 🏳️🌈 Thank you to everyone who nominated us and supports the work we do.
Old Town Food Festival
Paul, Sam and Phoenix attending the Swindon Old town food festival. Really pleased to get some interest around volunteer and committee roles as well as Raising funds towards our charity, giving out support guides and connecting with the local community.
Goddard's Primary School
Phoenix and Hannah attended Goddard's primary school as part of their school curriculum on LGBT+ awareness. The children prepared lots of questions to ask around subjects including Swindon & Wiltshire Pride, LGBT+ history and on how to come out.
Phoenix said "It is so inspiring to see the work the school have done to create a place where the students can openly talk about LGBT+ topics. From the visibility from the Pride flag outside the school, to the Pride bunting throughout. The work they are doing is helping the next generation be more open and accepting of the LGBT+ community, will support their mental health for those who aren't out yet and help foster a safe space to talk about different issues."
Over 80 students were involved in asking a variety of different questions linked to Pride, LGBT history and shared all the amazing things they have been up to on the run up to Pride month.
Simon the deputy head teacher From Godard's primary school said.
"On behalf of both the staff and the children, thank you for today. It was a huge success and your support has been vital in ensuring the success of the project."
Pride day at Polaris house
Committee members Lee and Paul attending as part of their pride event. Lee gave a talk to the attendees regarding his role at the charity, the work we do and why pronouns are important. Paul helped promote our Pride event as well as selling our Pride merchandise to help raise funds towards our charity.
Bradon Forest School
The team at Swindon & Wiltshire Pride visited Bradon forest school where they joined the schools LGBT group as part of their pride month celebrations. Students have been working hard to make items to sell to raise money for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride.
Committee members Leo and Phoenix took part in a Q&A session where they answered lots of different questions around coming out, how to deal with homophobia and our roles within the charity.
Charlotte from Brandon Forest school said "Thank you both so much for your support today - our students will remember your words of wisdom and encouragement for years to come. Apologies that we were so short of time and numbers were quite small; word will spread and I'm sure they will all be desperate for you to visit again. You're both so amazing at what you do!"
PGL Liddington
Lee, our Sponsorship Manager and Phoenix our community engagement manager attended a color fun run at PGL Liddington - we had so much fun helping to promote LGBTQIA+ awareness and education this Pride Month and help us raise funds for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2024!
We gave out over 40 support guides.
Finalist at the British LGBT Awards!
We are thrilled and honoured to announce that Swindon & Wiltshire Pride were celebrated as a finalist at the prestigious British LGBT Awards 2024! This recognition reflects the incredible work of our community, volunteers, and supporters. We made Top 12!!! Out of the whole UK!
We extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated chairperson, Paul, for his unwavering leadership. Former chairperson Jo for the years of hard work. To our committed committee members, trustees, and sponsors, your contributions have been invaluable. Thank you to everyone who nominated us, we really couldn’t do what we do without the community we support!
This achievement is a testament to the resilience, love, and unity of our LGBTQ+ community. Congratulations to Proud 2B Parents who won the award in our category, a very worthwhile and needed charity! What an amazing night!
Berts books
We were excited to be invited to two of their events during Pride month. Museum Bums, a look at LGBTQ history in Art and an in conversation event with Matt Cain and Justin Myers (aka the Guyliner) two gay authors. We'd like to thank Bert's books for inviting us to engage with those attending and by donating a % of ticket sales to our charity.
Oxford pride & Cirencester Pride
We attended both events simultaneously with the Amazing support of our Pride committee. Between both events they managed to hand out over 140 FREE support guides, promote our event as well as helping fundraiser for Swindon & Wiltshire Pride.
Raising the flag for LGBTQIA+ History month
We are pleased to work with the council once again to raise the flag for Pride month, after successfully raising the pride flag on a council building for the first time last year. We a pleased to have updated our Pride flags so they incorporate the updated design including people who are intersex as well as celebrating the rest of the community.
Old Town Laundry LGBTQIA+ Event
We worked with Old town laundry bar to host a LGBTQIA+ event, which was sold out. Members of the community loved having a place to come together to connect, be themselves and socialise with a selection of themed drinks (non alcoholic and alcoholic) and fantastic music.
Thank you to Old town laundry bar for giving the community a safe space to connect.
Pride in Cheltenham
We attended Pride in Cheltenham on the 18th May. This is the first of a series of pride events organised by our friends as Pride in Gloucestershire.
We brought along our merchandise and also the new edition of our free support guide.
We were able to speak to lots of people about the plans for this year’s pride event.
We will be back across the border again on the 8th June at Pride in Cirencester and the 7th September at Pride in Gloucestershire.
Nominee of the National Diversity Awards 2024
We're excited to share that we have been selected as a nominee for the National Diversity Awards 2024!
This is a huge honor and recognition of Swindon & Wiltshire Pride's efforts and contributions towards promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. Such recognition not only validates the importance of the work being done but also helps raise the message of acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Being nominated signifies that Swindon & Wiltshire Pride's impact is being acknowledged at a national level, which can only inspire further positive change and encourage others to join in the movement towards a more inclusive society.
Winner of a National Lottery Community Award
We are delighted to share that we have received a National Lottery Award from The National Lottery Community Fund to help support Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2024.
Thank you to all the National Lottery players - this funding helps keep Swindon & Wiltshire Pride free for all.
Winner of the Community Group of the Year at the Wiltshire Life Awards
Last night Swindon & Wiltshire Pride were named joint winners for the ‘Community Group of the Year’ at the Wiltshire Life Awards, aimed at championing “tales of creative endeavour, bravery and community spirit.”
One of our Trustees Denise accepted the award, and in her speech thanked the sponsors, allies and the volunteers. “We’re grateful for Wiltshire for embracing diversity and enabling us to continue our mission to support equality within the community. We would be nothing without our community. It’s not just a charity, it’s a family.”
The ethos of the charity includes to “promote equality and diversity” and “eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity”. The volunteer-led group regularly attend events throughout the year promoting diversity, and work includes the production of a free LGBTQIA+ support guide seen in schools, libraries and within the local community and the running of a weekly community Pride Hub in Regent Circus.
We could not have gotten this award without all of you! From everyone who attends pride, visits the hub, volunteers their time, even simply liking and sharing our content, this award is for YOU! Thank you so much Wiltshire Life Magazine, we can’t wait to display this with PRIDE!
Hungerford Community Youth Club
We were invited to attend Hungerford Community Youth Club as apart of their focus on Pride during LGBTQIA+ history month. We were there to spread awareness, educate on the different pride flags and identities - and provide support guides as well as free badges and stickers!! The children were so knowledgeable of Pride, the flags and open to ask questions as well.
Out of the Can Film Premier
We were invited to attend the Out of the Can Film Premier. The film is about Lex, a young adult in the early stages of exploring their identity as an LGBTQ+ person.
Out of the Can is a place where young people can connect, and learn, and be themselves, and no one exemplifies this attitude better than Clarke, a confident older member who takes Lex under his wing.
As Lex gets to know Clarke and the youth group, they start to grow and flourish. But when Clarke is faced with an uncertain future, Lex must reciprocate the courage and wisdom Clarke has taught them, and step up to support their friend in his time of need.
Drag Queen Story Hour
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride hosted its second Drag Queen Story Hour with Aida H Dee. These events are organised to create a fun and engaging story hour, featuring children's stories that promote acceptance and kindness.
Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, a far-right group of anti-drag queen protestors gathered outside the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, where the Drag Queen Story Hour was taking place.
However, we're proud to report that they were massively outnumbered by a group of 50+ counter-protesters who brought along music to drown out the hate. Their presence helped create a safe environment for families attending the event. Despite the challenges, the sold-out event went exceptionally well, and as organisers are eagerly looking forward to hosting another Drag Queen Story Hour.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the event.
Swindon Wildcats Ice Hockey Game
Swindon and Wiltshire Pride attended the Swindon Wildcats game as part of the English Ice Hockey Association Pride Week celebrations! We held a stall with lots of rainbow attire and guides where visitors of the match came to buy flags and fans, talk about pronouns and gender through the many gender badges on display. We also got to talk to the public about our upcoming pride, the hub and also gave away a few of our LGBTQIA+ Guides. Our logo was displayed brightly on the screen as the chosen charity and we got a snap with the winning Wildcats as they won 3-0!
We're excited to share that we have been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Wiltshire Life awards!!
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride have been shortlisted in the COMMUNITY GROUP OF THE YEAR category for the Wiltshire Life Awards.
Paul Stewart (Chairperson) said:
"This is a tremendous achievement against extremely tough competition. We are humbled to be recognised for the hard work Swindon & Wiltshire Pride do, so being shortlisted is an incredible feat."
Festival of Trees
As well as putting on the pantomime this festive season, the Wyvern Theatre has found itself hosting a veritable forest of Christmas trees for a good cause. An army of NSPCC fundraisers has transformed Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre into a winter wonderland for the town’s first-ever Festival of Trees event. Friends, businesses and other organisations have come together to decorate sponsored trees, all in aid of the children’s charity, whose South West Hub is located in Old Town.
Swindon & Wiltshire Pride had its tree decorated by one of our Committee members.
Stall in Swindon Town Centre
Mark and James braved the cold to bring the Pride stall to Swindon Town Centre. Viability like this is extremely important. We brought along items to sell to fundraise for our charity, given out FREE support guides and also available to sign post and chat to those that needed it x
Swindon Old Town Lights Switch On
You can’t have a Christmas Light Switch on without the added sparkle! We were at the Old Town Light Switch on. Thank you to all those who came by to say hi and take home a rainbow or three!!! Over 30 guides were given out!
Defence Academy
Committee member Paul spent the afternoon at the Defence Academy, representing Swindon & Wiltshire Pride at their wellbeing day for students, staff and families! Lots of support guides and conversations were shared to promote what we do. Thank you for having us!
Rainbow fest
Our committee attended Rainbow Fest at The Olive Tree Cafe in Cheney Manor. We had the opportunity to speak to members of the community that may not have actively sought us out at our other events. We spoke to visititors including a local councillor, we sold pride items and gave away our support guides.
Pride in Gloucestershire
We attended Pride in Gloucestershires annual Pride event. Attending local Prides is important for us to promote our charity to communities outside of Swindon. We brought along our Pride merchandise which helps us raise much-needed funds for our charity. We also brought our LGBTQIA+ support guides and gave out over 60.
We've also been had an impact for much longer. Interested?
Take a look at the Our Impact in previous years page.
September 2019-2020
September 2018-2019
Local Events
It's important to promote Pride at local LGBTQ+ events and be visible and educate at non LGBTQ+ events.
In 2019 we attended Swindon's Festival of Christmas, Pride in Gloucestershire, Swindon Old Town Festival, Great Western Hospital, and Armed Forces Day.
We use these events to promote Pride, educate on LGBTQ+ services, and engage with all of the community.
Education
Text
The UK now has 45 million social media users, equating to 67% of the population.
That's why we are active across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with a total of over 15k followers.
We use our channels to engage, educate, celebrate and promote events and services.
Pride Pop Up Space
In December 2019 we set up our first Pride Pop Up Shop, to provide a space for LGBTQ+ members of the community that was easily accessible and visible.
The Swindon & Wiltshire Pride committee has volunteered over 120 hours in setting up and running 2 weekends of the Pride Pop Up Shop.
This space has been used for raising money for Pride, Drag Queen Story Hour, LGBTQ+ information, Out Of The Can youth group and a Police surgery to report hate crime.
Volunteers
Volunteers are an extremely important part of helping make Pride happen.
In 2019 over 90 Volunteers helped make Pride happen. Helping us set up the event, litter pick, stewarding and marshaling vehicles safely into the park.
After Pride 2019 we held a BBQ for our volunteers as a big THANK YOU for all their hard work.
Supporting Charities
On December 1st 2019 we hosted a fundraiser in aid of World Aids Day.
We managed to raise £355 in one evening with all proceeds going to The Terrance Higgins Trust.
Rainbow Walk
In 2018 we unveiled our secret project,
Rainbow Walk.
Rainbow Walk was installed by the committee of 2018 and friends. It represents Swindon's continuing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community.
The scheme was completed with donations from local branches of B&Q, Wicks and Homebase who all donated materials for the project as well as local business, Newjax, who pressure washed the steps.