## YORK PRIDE ## 2022 Annual Report ## 1[st] September 2021 – 31[st] August 2022 York Pride / Registered Charity: 1154441 / www.yorkpride.org.uk Registered address: 248 Fifth Avenue, York, YO31 0PN ## Introduction York Pride 2022 marked a triumphant return, celebrating the first event since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Held on June 18th, the festival welcomed thousands of attendees who gathered to express their support for the LGBT+ community in vibrant, joyous, and meaningful ways. The City of York was once again adorned in a sea of rainbows, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of inclusivity. After a challenging hiatus, this year's Pride event was particularly significant, serving not just as a celebration but as a testament to the strength and unity of the community. Participation in the parade was exceptional, with diverse groups coming together to showcase their solidarity. The enthusiasm and positive energy were palpable, reflecting the deep sense of community and shared commitment to equality. York Pride 2022 was made possible through the generous support of our partners, including Aviva. Their continued partnership underscores our shared dedication to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, or background. As we look back on this landmark event, we celebrate the progress made and renew our commitment to advocacy, visibility, and support for the LGBT+ community. York Pride remains a beacon of hope and a reminder that, together, we can create a world where everyone is free to be their true selves. ## **Our aims and objectives are:** To promote equality and diversity for the public benefit, in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, of those living in York and the surrounding areas, by: 1. Raising awareness and educating the public about the issues and difficulties affecting the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people; 2. Cultivating a sentiment in favour of equality through celebrating the diversity of the LGBT community, and; 3. Staging an annual LGBT festival and smaller events, including regular social events for the LGBT community, in a safe environment throughout the year; 4. Providing funding and/or grants and/or donations to other charitable and voluntary organisations which the trustees shall from time to time determine. ## About York Pride York Pride is a registered charity which aims to promote equality, diversity, and advances in education, in order to eliminate discrimination against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. York Pride raises awareness of LGBT issues by promoting and staging events, taking part in campaigning and commentary in the media, and providing support to other LGBT charities and voluntary organisations. We also promote the provision of information, advice, and support that celebrate LGBT lives and history. We aim for York to be a place where everybody knows that the diversity offered by the LGBT community is something to be celebrated and in which LGBT people can feel safe and accepted. We believe that inclusiveness improves the self-esteem and provides a sense of belonging, which helps to diminish the psychological effects of discrimination faced by individuals in daily life. Our summer Pride event, which takes place within a Pride festival week, provides our main platform for a celebration of the diversity of the LGBT community in a context of entertainment, inclusivity and fun. The event is a focus for the visibility of the LGBT community in York and provides an opportunity to draw attention to important LGBT issues. York Pride is operated by a small team of unpaid volunteers who are working hard to continue to improve Pride for the benefit of the LGBT and wider community. We depend upon sponsorship, donations from events, local businesses and supporters and money we raise through our fundraising activities. We are always keen to improve what we do and to be welcoming to all members of the community. If you have any comments or feedback or would like to get involved in any way, we would love to hear from you. ## Chair’s Report – 2022 2022 has allowed us to deliver an in person Pride event for York after a COVID enforced hiatus. COVID has meant we have been unable to hold an event since Summer 2019 and lots has changed in the world during this period. York Pride 2022 has without doubt been our biggest to date, the Parade, Stalls, Line Up and attendance all exceeding past records which was a fantastic achievement by the team. This year we had strong ambitions to step up our lineup, size and quality of event, an especially tough challenge given the break we’d had. We did have reservations around potential lack of finances for this years event but the committee was clear that even if we ran at a loss this year that was ok, after all our meticulous financial restraint and resilience of the past 10 years had built up a suitable buffer fund which could be called upon if a rainy day arrived, if COVID19 wasn’t that rainy day then what is?! I’m sure Colin will be giving more specifics but i’m pleased to say our financial worries were unfounded and we’ve managed to stay in the black, well done to everyone who helped with Sponsorship this year but big thanks to Alan, Simon and David B. The Parade, often the highlight for many, ran smoothly thanks to the diligent organisation of David M and his team. Also special mention to John for his hard work around city centre engagement and for his efforts in getting Pride bunting up on lamposts for the first time ever. We also started on our journey to make York Pride more inclusive and accessible than ever before with the introduction of the quiet hour on site, Mobiloo - A Mobile Accessible Toilet, tracking around the site & disability viewing platform. Whilst we celebrate these successes we also acknowledge things can be improved it’s important we continue to push for greater inclusion and seek help and support where possible to deliver this. To ensure York Pride is inclusive for all members of the LGBT+ community. Whilst we delivered a wholly successful and enjoyable York Pride, it hasn’t been without strain on our Volunteers and Committee members. In the 10 years i’ve been involved in York Pride we’ve never had such a tough time, I know for many it’s felt a real slog this year. We took the decision this year to try and outsource some of the staffing and health and safety paperwork side of the event in a bigger way than ever before; I firmly believe this is important to continue with going forward not only does this give our event a more professional feel on site to attendees but importantly it ensures on the day all members of the committee can have some time off to enjoy the event they have taken time to help deliver. I hope that with the updated organisation structure, we can become more resilient by spreading the workload and encouraging new members to work their way up through the committee structure; learning what is required to deliver a large scale event such as York Pride. Going forwards from a practical level we need to ensure we are compliant with the new noise restrictions on the Knavesmire Site imposed by City of York Council and recognise this will no doubt incur higher costs for noise consultants & improved PA for the site. This also has the potential to restrict our main stage and second stage output. We should also be mindful with cost of living crisis and rising inflation this will hit us hard on potential revenue streams and also costs for 2023. Of course i’d like to thank all our Sponsors including our Main Sponsor and Partner Aviva. Also thank you to Colin & Paul for the use of your storage facilities over the past years, we’ve now outgrown them but thank you to Stuart and Ben for saving us money by helping with the storage of York Prides assets going forwards! Finally i’d like to thank all of this years committee, whether you’ve been doing this since 2009, or 2022, whether this has been your first or your last year for the moment, your contributions, big and small, are what makes us collectively a fantastic team and event in these trying times a force to be reckoned with and in my opinion one of the best Pride events in the country. ## **Financial Review** York Pride remains in a strong financial position. This is due to the hardwork and dedication of the committee and trustees. Our aim is to have enough is reserve to be able to afford the next years Pride event, should some unforeseen circumstances effect us such as loss of major sponsor, weather related issues such as loss of income on the day due to rain and lower attendance. ## **Declaration** ## **The trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees Annual Report and Accounts** ## **Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees** |**Signature**|| |---|---| |**Full Name**|_Greg Stephenson_| |**Position**|_Chair_| |**Date**|_07/05/23_| York Pride (Charlty Number: 1154441) Trustees Annual Report & Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2022 Charity Accounts Independent Examination Services York Pride Icharity Number. 1154441) Contents Index Page Trustees Annual Report Independent Examiner's Report Receipts & Payments Accounts Statement of Assets and Liablllties Notes to the Accounts Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of York Prlde I report on the accounts of: York Pride for the year ended: 31 August 2022 which are set out on pages 5 to 7. Responslbilitles and basls of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)Ib) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: l accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Jeff Todd IFCA) Outsource independent examination Services The Hiscox Building Peaseholme Green York YOI 7PR Date: York Prlde {Charity Number: 1154441) Statement of Assets and Llabllfties at: 31 Au8USt 2022 31 Au8u5t 31 Au8USt 2022 2021 Total Total funds funds Unrertrirted funds Restricted fvnd$ Assets Cash at bank and in hand Bank account I Bank account 2 History month Cash in hand and petty cash 25,779 54.180 1,127 17 81,103 25,779 54,180 1.127 17 81.103 14.474 60.878 143 75.495 2022 Total funds 2021 Total funds Unrestrlcted Restrkted funds funds Liabllltle5 Independent Examination fee 320 320 320 320 150 150 York Prlde (Charity Number: 11544411 Recelpts & Payments Accounts for the period ended: 31 August 2022 31 August 2022 Total funds 31 August Z021 Total funds Unrestrkted Restrkted funds funds Recelpts Sponsorship Grants Sta115 Donations Events Promotions Merchandise History month Refunds Other Total recelpts 20,150 io.c 15,199 411 1.325 2.707 6,188 1.236 20,150 10.0 15.199 411 1.325 2.707 6.188 1,236 207 8,850 57.216 57.216 12,065 Payments Pride Merchandise History month Community Pot Admin & other costs Total payments 49.308 49.308 2.490 109 250 461 51.608 109 250 461 51.608 675 3.165 Net of recelpts/(payments) Balance brought lorward Balance carried forward 75,495 75,495 66,595 81.103 81,103 75.495 York Prlde (Charity Number: 1154441) Notes to the Accounts for the year ended: 31 August 2022 Basis of accounts The Trustees have taken advantage of sertion 14412) of the Charities Act 2011 and prepared the accounts on a receipts and payments basis. roval of Accounts for the ar ended: 31A rt2022 The report and accounts were approved at a meeting of the Trustees held on: 1110612024 Date Dll 1110612024 Signed for and on behalf of the Tr4bStees Date Greg Stephenson Chair Print Name Posttlon le.& Chalr etc)