Croydon Pride strives for LGBTQIA+ tolerance and equality within Croydon’s diverse communities by staging inclusive events. We are a UK-registered charity (1173230) and a company limited by guarantee (10555864), and any surplus funds we raise are reinvested back into the charity.
We are responsible for organising Croydon PrideFest – London’s second largest Pride Festival – which has firmly become marked in south London’s LGBTQIA+ calendar of events. We established ourselves as a charity in May 2017, after the first PrideFest in 2016, with the purpose of keeping Croydon PrideFest a free event for all over the coming years. Croydon Pride receives no core government funding and funds are instead raised in a variety of ways including donations, sponsorship and fundraising events.
Aims and Objectives
Our activities provide a platform for every part of Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community to be visible, to raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues and campaign for freedoms that will allow Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community to lead genuinely equal lives in the borough. We aim to promote equity and diversity and to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and/or gender identity by:
- Raising awareness of discrimination, issues and difficulties affecting the lives of Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community.
- Cultivating a local culture of equity and diversity by celebrating the achievements and diversity of Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community.
- Advancing education in LGBTQIA+ equity and diversity.
- Associating with voluntary organisations, governmental/public and/or private bodies to maximise the effectiveness of voluntary organisations working for LGBTQIA+ equity and diversity.
- Staging and promoting LGBTQIA+ events, including the annual Croydon PrideFest.
- Providing support for equity of access for members of Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community to sports, training, employment, business or similar opportunities where there are barriers.
- Foster understanding between Croydon’s diverse communities.
- Conduct, commission and publish research on Croydon LGBTQIA+ diversity issues.
You can read more about our progress in our latest charity report.
LGBTQIA+ Support Services
Croydon Pride does not currently provide an LGBTQIA+ support service but can signpost to relevant external resources which may be of help. You can find a list of LGBTQIA+ support services and resources here or if you have been affected by, witnessed or experienced LGBTQIA+ hate crime, METRO’s Safer Croydon Hate Crime Service can offer support.
Meet the Board
Croydon Pride is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees who have oversight of and are accountable for the charity’s activities, including the production of the annual Croydon PrideFest. Meet the Board below:
Steven Hartwell
Treasurer
Steven joined the Board of Trustees in January 2019 as Treasurer and oversees the charity’s finances. Steven is a keen advocate for LGBTQIA+ equality in Croydon and a regular PrideFest goer.
Damien Tysoe
Trustee
Damien joined the Board of Trustees in 2018 and oversees the sponsorship function for the annual PrideFest. As a Croydon business owner, Damien is well-connected within the local business community whose passion and energy for LGBTQIA+ equality helps drive business support for the annual PrideFest event and helps businesses realise their equality ambitions.
Ria Patel
Trustee
Ria has volunteered with Croydon Pride since 2022 and joined the board of trustees in 2023. Previously The Green Party’s Equalities and Diversity spokesperson, and currently a councillor for Croydon’s town centre, Fairfield, they are a passionate advocate for queer liberation.
Davey Tyler
Trustee
Davey joined the board of Trustees 2024 and has local businesses in the Croydon area, Davey is an LGBTQIA+ photographer and keen advocate for all LGBTQIA+ projects and has been putting on local events in the area for many years, pushing for inclusion and bringing the community together for LGBTQIA+ events for everyone to enjoy throughout the whole year.
Sam Dewey
Trustee
Sam joined the Board of Trustees in 2024 and has been an annual PrideFest attendee for several years. Sam works within the third sector championing the contribution that charities bring to society. Sam lives in Croydon and has a passion for promoting equity for all within Croydon’s diverse community of residents and beyond.