UK's biggest Pride event is calling on allies for support and it's free to join
The UK's biggest free Pride event, Pride in London, is back again for another year of celebrations, and their 2025 campaign carries a strong message. At the core of the LGBTQ+ movement has always been volunteering, and with that in mind, the organisers have have launched Volunqueer – their campaign for this year's event.
According to ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Map, the UK government has been backsliding on LGBTQ+ rights since 2015, meaning that now more than ever, LGBTQ+ organisations need the support of the community and its allies. One of the best ways to do that is through volunteering.
Pride in London are asking people to give their time and energy to support LGBTQ+ charities and organisations by calling on them to 'Volunqueer'. The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on those everyday heroes who undertake acts of selflessness for the community and asks others to join them in lending support.
'Volunqueering' doesn't have to be done in big grand gestures; the smallest of acts can make the biggest difference and inspire meaningful change. Pride in London's director of marketing, Tim Noblett, explained: "As the UK's status as a safe space for LGBTQ+ people comes increasingly into question, this campaign is a reminder of the resilience that lies at the heart of our community.'
Their inspiration campaign champions people just like Saima, who runs Rainbow Chai, a support group for South Asian parents of LGBTQ+ children. Their organisation helps families grow in love and understanding towards their LGBTQ loved ones. Alongside them cast in the campaign is Eva, who fights for trans rights through real-life legal action.
Eva has been a part of numerous public campaigns, police education, and youth advocacy. At the heart of all of their work, they centre community voices, and now it's time for their voice to be heard even louder.
Josh is another star of the campaign, who volunteers with Pride in London to help organise the parade. Their work brings endless amounts of joy as well as the logistics behind the fun that helps bring people together on the biggest day of the year. They shared: 'Volunqueering brings me joy and fulfilment. "It's the seed you plant, even if you never see the flower grow."
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Alongside them, cast in the inspirational campaign are Alexander, who is part of the LGBTQ+ ERG at TFL and supports multiple charities, and Dhiren, who supports LGBTQ+ people in crisis as a helpline volunteer for both Switchboard and London Friend.
Faces of the 'volunqueer' message also include Jason, who is part of Not a Phase, creating vital spaces for trans people; Emy, who champions queer wellness by organising London's first LGBTQ+ wellness festival; and Rayyan. As a Just Like Us ambassador, Rayyan shares their personal story across schools to support young queer people and promote inclusion.
In light of this new and exciting campaign, a new website has launched, VOLUNQUEER.UK, with a number of helpful links, resources on organisations and initiatives and things to get involved in for vital community support. This site aims to help guide those interested in volunqueering opportunities but also to tell inspirational stories of those volunteers that already exist, tirelessly putting in the work helping to fight the good fight.
The Mirror is the official media partner of Pride in London for the second year in a row. For all of our Pride content, click here.
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