Standing for inclusion in our communities
As Pride Month draws to a close, we wanted to share with you some of the events we’ve been involved in and what’s coming up to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion. From Essex Pride and Southend-based celebrations to a parliamentary reception, we’re committed to making a difference and making sure LGBTQIA+ voices are heard.
Essex Pride 2026
We had a great day at Essex Pride on 20 June, celebrating diversity and helping to spread understanding and respect. A group of colleagues and customers took part in the Pride march through the centre of Chelmsford, which ended in Central Park, where we set up a stall to engage with the community.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by our stand for a chat, especially those who took the time to complete one of our surveys. We had some great responses, which will help us understand how we can make our communities safe and inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community and better support their access to safe and affordable housing. We plan to use everything we learnt on the day to improve our services.
You can see some of our photos from the day on our social media.
Stonewall Pride Parliamentary Reception
We also attended an event at the Houses of Parliament recently, which was hosted by Stonewall, one of the UK's leading LGBTQIA+ equality organisations.
The event brought people together from across the country, including parliamentarians and business leaders, to discuss how we can improve LGBTQIA+ inclusion. It was an opportunity to exchange ideas, hear different perspectives, and connect with like-minded people who share a commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities.
Southend Pride
This month, we'll be in Southend for the family-friendly Pride march on 18 July. Meeting at the top of Pier Hill at 11.30am, we’ll be marching the length of Southend High Street down to the Odeon, so come and join us. You can then find us at the Pride Inside event from 12-4pm the same day at the Victoria Shopping Centre, SS2 5SP. We hope to see some of you there!