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2025-10-31-accounts

Basildon Pride CIO basildonpride.co.uk

CONTENTS

3

INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

As we finish 2025, we have a lot to celebrate as the work of the charity has continued to go from strength to strength. Not only did we deliver our much-loved Basildon Pride Festival for the 7th year running, we also significantly expanded and evolved further our Everyday Programme. Our charity membership has grown to 65 people and we were delighted to welcome our new members who have joined over the year.

I would like to thank every single person who has contributed to the charity this year. Your support is invaluable, and we could not do our work without you. It has been wonderful to see people taking on new roles as well over the year and really making a wonderful contribution to the charity.

This year has been difficult for many prides and sadly not all have survived. The fight to get funding has become increasingly difficult with grant funding drying up and sponsors pulling away, often buoyed by rhetoric emanating from across the Atlantic.

We too have lost our 2 main partners this year in Fiserv and Eastgate and this has put us under significant financial pressure. But we have managed to survive, and I thank the Directors for their work with me to make sure we ended on a sound financial footing including attracting some new sponsors in c2c, Barrett Redrow and Blatella Films.

We had our second year of National Lottery Community Funding and also received a grant from Essex Community Foundation. We received great support also from the Army Cadets and Towngate Theatre. So, thank you to all those organisations.

Moving forward we have our final year of lottery funding next year. After early conversations, the lottery seems keen to explore supporting us further. In this light, our Directors and Trustees have started the process of building our 2027-2029 medium term strategy which will form the basis of our new lottery application which we will submit in the first quarter of 2026.

We will also focus on ensuring that all elements of the 2024-2026 strategy has been delivered as some areas still require some attention.

Basildon Pride is needed more than ever. Thank you to our members, supporters and the public for being a part of it.

David Burton-Sampson Chair of Trustees

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JA

OUR CHARITABLE PURPOSES

The Objects of the charity are:

“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 by delivering an annual Basildon Pride Event and deliver Basildon Pride Everyday which creates a programme of awareness and support events and activities for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies throughout the year in order to eliminate discrimination and advance education and awareness in equality and diversity.”

Our Organisational Purposes are:

To work with the LGBTQ+ community of The Basildon Borough and beyond and other interested stakeholders as well as statutory and community sector organisations to promote Basildon Pride as a lasting movement

To arrange, fundraise for and deliver an annual Basildon Pride Event

To fundraise for and deliver Basildon Pride Everyday which creates a programme of awareness and support events and activities for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies throughout the year

The Public Benefit we provide is

Advanced citizenship, cohesion and improved community relations in the Basildon Borough and beyond

Education about the Basildon Borough LGBTQ+ community and wider LGBTQ+ issues

Free Information, support, guidance, and a non-judgemental space for discussion & dialogue concerning LGBTQ+ health and well-being

The promotion of LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and heritage

Championing human rights, equality and diversity

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OUR ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

All positions across the charity are held on a voluntary basis.

Board of Trustees

There are currently 7 appointed Trustees in line with our constitution.

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David Burton-Sampson
Chair of the Trustees
Mathew Whaley Jamie Whaley
Deputy Chair of the Trustees Treasurer to the Charity
Alex McKenzie Robert Scully
Trustee without role Trustee without role
Liam McAllister
Danny Lawrence
Trustee without role Trustee without role
In line with the constitutional arrangements 1 Trustee will
retire at the Annual General Meeting in November 2024, and
we will look to fill our vacancy.
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Charity Directors

The Everyday Committee hold responsibility for coordinating and delivering our Basildon Pride Everyday programme throughout the year.

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Vacant Maxine Newell
Charity Programme Director Charity Administrator
Alex Davis Matthew Miller
Festival Project Director Marketing Director
Vacant Connor Chilton
Everyday Director Finance & Partnership Director
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Basildon Pride Festival Organising Committee

The Festival Organising Committee holds responsibility for delivering the annual Basildon Pride Festival Event.

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Vacant Vacant
Festival Creative Lead Festival Event Lead
Gary Wilson Liam McAllister
Festival Entertainment Manager Parade Manager
David Bedson Ben Sawyer
Technical Manager Logistic Manager
Alex McKenzie Maxine Newell
Health & Safety Manager Community Engagement Manager
Tracey Freeman
Volunteers Manager
Festival Support Officers –
Christina Caten, Helen Taylor, Jamie Whaley, Matthew Whaley.
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Basildon Pride Everyday Organising Committee

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The Everyday Committee hold responsibility for coordinating and delivering
our Basildon Pride Everyday programme throughout the year.
Helen Taylor Aaron Willis
Networking Manager Young Persons Networking Manager
Ashe Thorpe
Vacant
Trans, Non-Binary and Gender
Hate Crime Manager
Diverse Lead
Vacant Daniel Johnson
Mental Health Manager Everyday Entertainment Manager
Alex McKenzie Tracey Freeman
Pride Matters Manager
Everyday Support Officer
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Other Roles

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Vacant Vacant
Social Media Manager Brand Manager
Vacant
Fundraising Manager
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BASILDON PRIDE FESTIVAL 2025 REVIEW

The Basildon Pride Festival took place on Saturday 6th September 2025 at Basildon Sporting Village.

The day got off to its usual spectacular and colourful start with the annual Parade which set off at 11am from outside the former Toys R Us/Sports Direct building in Southernhay in Basildon Town Centre. Headed by the Basildon Borough Mayor Cllr Allan Davies and his Mayoress, they led a parade of over 1,500 people including drag queens, army and air cadets, sponsors, local businesses, volunteers, community groups, members of the LGBTQ+ community and the public in a 1.5mile parade to the festival sponsored by Barratt Redrow.

We welcomed 49 festival volunteers, local businesses joined in again with the Eastgate Shopping Centre dressed for the occasion in a glorious aerial flag display, alongside our friends at Orleto Lounge and The Craft Shed who made sure their bunting was available.

Once again, all the colours of the rainbow were accompanied by glitter, face paints, sparkle, music, drums, flags, marching banners, and mischievous Chinese lions. Dancers. Our unique handmade diversity river flag carried by over 50 people, was joined by an equally large rainbow river flag and for the first time ever a large Trans flag in a bold display of unity, defiance to hatred and a symbol of acceptance that everyone should have.

This year, we had a welcoming party by our Rainbow Arch as confetti cannons burst colour into the air with the arrival of Cheryl The Queen & Saucy Sonia leading the parade into the Pride Festival. Stage hosts Chamonix & Miles Elliot welcomed everyone who had made the journey.

Hosted by Chamonix and Miles Elliot, our Main Stage was sponsored by C2C. Family Stage sponsored by Gateway 97.8 both had a new look and became the place to watch high quality programme of performers including our amazing lineup of drag queens Ella Gant, Candy Heals, Adam All, Vanity Nightmare, Cheryl The Queen, Estella Safella & Scar Vigilante, Rory Roar all bringing colour, make-up and heels to our stages.

We had tributes bands ABBA, Cher! We also had the pleasure of local artists and bands including The Vision, Smalltown Boy and Kian Butler, we welcomed poet Lee Campbell.

Topped off by our amazing Headline act LA VOIX, who went on to take part in Strictly Come Dancing.

Our Chill-Out Zone sponsored by ideverde and run by local charity Motivate Minds provided a calm escape from the hustle and bustle elsewhere.

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Can’t wait for 2026! Was
Loved it! Thank you all for all your hard work. Loved it
honestly such a seemless
was free entry. Loved meeting new people.
expereince.
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Keep doing great things - the
It was the best year! The acts
day is so well thought out and
were so much better!
inclusive.
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The market stalls this year were absolutely
fantastic. Great organisation and the helpers
were incredible.
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Our Discovery Hub sponsored by Unite the Union, with some amazing guest speakers including Tim Spoor, Gavin Dixon and Joanne Lockward.

After the festival a longer seven hour After Party kicked off at 9pm with a performance by Cheryl The Queen and tunes from our guest DJ Sarah.

The Family Entertainment zone sponsored by SS&C was back by popular demand with our friends at Infinity Circus letting anyone try their hand at circus skills; we have never seen so many plates spun and balls being juggled before! Our fairground was focused on providing some fun for children.

Alex Davis Festival & Parade Project Director

The Marketplace, sponsored by Palmers Solicitors was a great range of business, community and charity stalls once again, including some new stalls providing drag outfits, pride merchandise, sweets, lucky dups, mead and lingerie.

Our Foodcourt, sponsored by Gateway 97.8 brought back the smells and taste of home cooked food, with the staple burgers, hot dogs, noodles, mixed up with ice cream, donuts, coffee, tastes of the Caribbean, India and Mexico! Our main bar was bigger and looked like a proper pub and was joined this year by a prosecco bar in a converted horsebox! Thanks to Essex & Suffolk Water, we even had fresh mains drinking water piped into our site available free of charge helping us meet a reducing plastic objective from our Environmental Policy a year early!

We truly hope that the 6,000 people that passed through our gates and stayed for the day had the best time and will come back next year.

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BASILDON PRIDE EVERYDAY 2024/25 REVIEW

The Everyday Programme remains committed to giving back to the local community through a diverse range of activities, partnerships and support initiatives. Basildon Pride has continued to create opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to connect, access support, develop confidence and celebrate diversity.

Our Basildon Pride Everyday Programme continues across 5 pillars, continuing to give an even broader level of outreach to the LGBTQ+ Community and our allies in the Basildon Borough and beyond.

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Networking – Adults

Adult Networking has delivered a varied programme of social and community activities throughout the year. We have explored several different venues, including the Castlemayne Pub, Orleto Lounge, Craft Shed, Utility Hub and Towngate Theatre. This flexibility has enabled us to offer activities in different settings and continue building connections within the local LGBTQ+ community.

A full year of events has been delivered as outlined below including the attendance figures.

Networking – Young People

Queer Crusaders continues to be one of the programme’s great successes. Weekly sessions regularly attract between 25 and 30 young people. Essex Youth Services has developed an outstanding programme of activities that provides young people with opportunities to build friendships, develop confidence and celebrate their identities in a safe and supportive environment.

Counselling is also in place and being provided by Renew Counselling. A mixture of group sessions and 6-week blocks of individual sessions are delivered. 4 clients have gone through a complete block of sessions, and 3 others are currently going through a programme of counselling. Several others are potentially going to have individual counselling sessions after conversations during the group sessions.

We have applied for £3,000 in FSJ funding to support the continuation of this important project and ensure that young people can continue to access the support they need.

Pride Matters Radio Show

Pride Matters continues to be broadcast weekly and has welcomed a range of fantastic guests, including representatives from Essex Police and the Towngate Theatre.

Each programme explores topics relevant to the local community, with a particular focus on our Everyday activities, events and our diversity calendar. The move to DAB radio enables the show to reach a wider audience, increasing its visibility.

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Supporting other LGBTQ+ Initiatives

Basildon Pride has continued to build its presence within the wider Basildon community. We were pleased to participate in Basildon Carnival, providing two drag artists for the main stage. The performances created an opportunity to celebrate diversity in a fun and accessible way while raising awareness of Basildon Pride.

We continue to work with Pride in Kharkiv, Ukraine advising on their safe space centre which is not only vital during the war but will be needed post war as well as Ukraine remains an area more hostile to the LGBTQ+ Community. We are actively seeking other projects we would like to support this year.

Networking – Families

An online Safe Spaces Forum continues, this allows families of LGBTQ+ people a space to chat and discuss their feelings, ask questions and gain a greater understanding of what their family member is experiencing, without judgement.

We have been presented with some challenges in terms of engaging families. In response, the Everyday Committee has explored different times, venues and approaches to make the sessions more accessible. Bimonthly support sessions have been offered, including a morning coffee session at the Towngate Theatre.

The focus was solely on parents and carers; we extended family network to the wider family unit. This has been successful especially with family themed evets.

Mental Health Awareness and Support

Mental health and wellbeing remain embedded within the core values of Basildon Pride and the Everyday Programme.

We have joined forces with Basildon Library to establish a monthly Book and Social Club. The club provides an opportunity for members of the LGBTQ+ community to come together, discuss queer literature and more importantly develop friendships and social connections, which has improved their mental wellbeing.

In September, we partnered with Trust Links to deliver an LGBTQ+ Mental Health Wellness Drop-In, incorporating gardening and creative activities. Following the success of this event, we intend to hold a further session in March 2026.

We continue to collaborate with organisations including Peddle Power and Signpost which strengthens our ability to signpost people towards appropriate support.

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Trans, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Awareness and Support

Given the challenges this group of our community our project has continued to grow through collaborative working with Transpire Southend and the Craft Shed in Basildon Town Centre. Feedback from participants has been particularly positive, with members of the community highlighting the importance of us creating a dedicated space where they can feel safe, supported and understood

Educational sessions continue to be delivered through a variety of different medium – A Pride Matters Show focused on Trans Allyship was broadcast in March 2025.

We have developed a dedicated Trans Allyship Learning Programme, piloted at St Luke’s Hospice, which has proved highly successful. Further workshops have subsequently been delivered to employees at Basildon Council and the Towngate Theatre.

Hate Crime Awareness

Our work around hate crime continues to develop through strong partnerships with Essex Police, who remain fully supportive of Basildon Pride’s work in this area.

Working alongside Arts Outburst, we delivered successful Hate Crime Awareness sessions in two schools: James Hornsby and Beauchamps. Feedback from both schools was extremely positive, and Beauchamps has committed to participating again in 2026.

Our collaborative approach with partner organisations enables us to share information, identify concerns and work towards highlighting hate crime and improving safety, inclusion and support for LGBTQI+ people.

An e-learning suite that can be shared with local businesses and will also be available on our website promoting LGBTQ+ and wider diversity awareness and ways of tackling hate crime will move into development during 2025.

Safe Space Project

We have developed a Safe Spaces Network in collaboration with Basildon Council, Essex Police, Signpost and the Independent Advisory Group. The project is designed to create a network of trusted locations where members of the LGBTQ+ community can access a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.

We have developed the workshops in collaboration with Essex Police, our ambition is to establish a network involving a range of local organisations, including shops, churches, pubs and other community venues. We will develop an app where people can see where these safe spaces are. The Safe Space Project will be launched in March 2026.

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PERFORMANCE AGAINST CHARITABLE PURPOSES MEASURES

Outlined below is the charities performance against the key measures identified at our inception. For the near future we will not be setting targets until we understand our current rolling annual position. However, the Board of Trustees will use this data to identify areas by which the charity needs to improve or focus its attention.

Total annual membership of CIO as recorded at each AGM. Membership at members 65 the point of going to press was 65 which has grown from 57 in 2024.

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6,504
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Total social media audience across Basildon Pride’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

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177
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Members of the Basildon Pride LGBTQ+ Facebook Support Group

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6,000
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Number of attendees at the Basildon Pride Festival 2025 estimated based on gate counts.

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69
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Total number of attendees at the Basildon Pride fundraising events throughout the year

Number of volunteers assisting at the Basildon Pride Festival 2025. 49

£100

Total value of donations and grants made by Basildon Pride to other causes or campaigns

Rolling programme of Basildon Pride events for fundraising, awareness, and support; See Basildon Pride Everyday Report.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2025

The total expenditure for the year was £93,054. This represents event Logistics and Technical costs, Performer and Security fees, Insurance, and other general operating costs.

Our Banking is held with NatWest and our balance as of 1st November 2025 was £11 164.77.

In addition to our Bank Account, we also have a PayPal Account and registered for the PayPal Giving Fund which has received £744.60 this financial year.

Income/Expenditure 31/10/2025
Total gross income £89,103
Total expenditure £93,054
Income from government contracts N/A
Income from government grants N/A

Final Accounts submitted to The Charity Commission for year ending 31/10/2025

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

We would like to extend our thanks to our wonderful sponsors and supporters, without whom Basildon Pride CIO simply would not be able to deliver our activities. Every penny donated is sincerely appreciated

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Our Sponsors
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MOVING FORWARD OUR FOCUS FOR 2025/26

The Board of Trustees are keen to build on the amazing work delivered over the last 12 months on the back of our significant increase in funding.

The focus for the coming year will be to:

Deliver our Basildon Pride Everyday programme whilst ensuring the remaining elements of our 2024-2026 Medium Term Strategy are delivered by the end of the year.

Working with our Charity Trustees, Charity Members and the LGBTQ+ community, develop and shape our 2027 – 2029 strategy

Deliver Basildon Pride - The Festival 2026, taking learnings from our 2025 event to once again make it better than before, whilst ensuring it remains a celebration of the LGBTQ+ Community.

Continue to work with and support partner organisations in our local community to further our work and further support for the LGBTQ+ community.

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© Basildon Pride 2024 Registered Charity in England and Wales: 1193090

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