Chair of Trustees’ Report
Pride in Belper 2024–25
It is with great pride that I present the Chair of Trustees’ Report for Pride in Belper for the financial year 2024–25. This has been a year of continued growth, strengthened partnerships, and renewed commitment to celebrating and protecting LGBTQ+ identities across Belper and the wider region. At the same time, we have faced the greatest level of organised push-back we have seen to date, particularly from groups opposed to trans inclusion. This has been challenging and, at times, exhausting for our team, but we remain steadfast, resilient, and more determined than ever in our mission.
Overview
Pride in Belper has once again demonstrated its value as a grassroots community organisation dedicated to sustainability, accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity.
Our mission is:
“We value and celebrate the intersections of every single person who engages meaningfully in the community of Belper. We believe that it is everyone’s responsibility to challenge discrimination within our community and society, and it is not okay to be a bystander. We do not accept any form of behaviour or language which seeks to harm minority groups and activate hate.”
Our vision is:
“We can all make a difference in this community, and we can all role model change. We ask that each and every one of us actively stands by every person who identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, because sexuality and gender identity are part of everyone’s life and it takes courage to be the person you know you really are.”
We remain proudly guided by our values of sustainability, accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity.
Key Achievements
Community Advocacy – The Welcome List
In response to the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of sex in the Equality Act (2010), we launched the Welcome List, encouraging local organisations to publicly affirm their support for trans and non-binary people, and to be transparent about whether their facilities are inclusive and welcoming, including access to toilets. This initiative has strengthened our network of visible allies and offered reassurance that Belper remains a place of welcome and dignity.
Community Engagement & Outreach
This year saw expanded year-round engagement, including:
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Intergenerational events in local care homes
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Storytime at Strutts (rescheduled from June at Belper Library)
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LGBTA+ youth engagement through Blend Youth Project
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Collaboration with Belper School through their PSHE curriculum and Creative Industries Day, including the LGBTQ+ butterflies project
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Inclusive arts, culture, and wellbeing activities delivered in partnership with Fleet Arts
Dragged Up in Belper
This year we were delighted to introduce the Dragged Up in Belper competition, celebrating queer creativity, performance, and joyful self-expression. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and we hope to build this into a flagship event for future years.
Pride in Belper Beers
We were thrilled to collaborate with Crich Brewery (based in Belper) on two Pride in Belper beers – Fruity Little Number and No Label. Both sold out on the day, demonstrating strong ‑ community enthusiasm and support for locally made Pride themed products.
‑ Embedding Year Round LGBTQ+ Support
This year we strengthened our focus on delivering meaningful support beyond the main Pride event, ensuring LGBTQ+ people feel supported, seen, and valued throughout the year.
Volunteer & Community Support
‑ Our events remain fully community powered — thanks to the dedication, goodwill, and passion of our volunteers and partners.
Accessibility
Pride in Belper continues to be recognised as one of the most accessible community events in the town, including Mobiloo provision, a Quiet Space, and BSL interpretation.
Sustainability
We continued to operate in line with environmentally responsible principles while ensuring Pride remained free and open to all.
Financial Stewardship
Pride in Belper remains just financially stable. However, funding applications became more competitive and event delivery costs rose by approximately 25%.
Challenges
Community Resilience in the Face of Opposition
Targeted opposition towards our trans‑inclusive work the week before Pride caused distress to some trustees and volunteers. However, the town’s response was powerful and affirming.
Finding the Funds to Put the Event On
Securing funds to deliver a free and accessible Pride event was a significant challenge. Despite rising costs and competitive grants, we ensured Pride remained open to all.
Volunteer and Trustee Wellbeing
This year involved significant emotional labour. We recognise this and remain committed to supporting each other, while advocating rest, resilience, and LGBTQ+ community care.
Digital Community & Safeguarding
Our social media following increased from 2,000 to 3,300, and we launched the Pride in Belper Community of Support group to enhance safeguarding and peer support.
Looking Ahead — 2025–26 Priorities
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- Expand year round LGBTQ+ support
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Develop the Welcome List
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Expand inclusion training
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Establish a regular LGBTQ+ social night
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Deliver additional fundraising events
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Support Christ Church’s Pride service (June 2026)
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The Pride in Belper Dog Show ??
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Maintain accessibility and inclusion standards
Acknowledgements
My sincere thanks go to volunteers, local businesses, sponsors, Belper Town Council, schools, youth and faith organisations, arts partners, and all who supported us.
I extend particular thanks to our trustees and committee members, whose dedication, emotional effort, and steady leadership during a challenging year have been central to Pride in Belper’s strength and success.
Finally
Pride in Belper continues to show that Pride is not just one day — it is a commitment to equality, dignity, joy, and belonging for all.
Signed,
Sarah Barley-McMullen .
Chair of Trustees Pride in Belper 1[st] November 2025
Pride in Belper (1202064), Trustees’ Annual Report: Secretary
1[st] October 2024 to 31[st] September 2025
Meetngs of the Commitee:
Between October 2024 and the end of September 2025 the committee met 14 times (including poste event debrief). All meetings had quorate attendance. Minutes were kindly recorded by Lindsey Myers and stored centrally.
Trustees for 2024 to 2025:
The named trustees for Pride in Belper at the end of the reporting year (September 2025) were:
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Sarah Barley-McMullen (Chair)
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Mary McLean-Farmer (Treasurer)
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Helen Barley-McMullen (Secretary)
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Adrian Farmer
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Lindsey Myers
Actvites and Achievements:
Pride in Belper has stayed true to the constitution of the charity; seeking to inform and unify. During the period of October 2024 to September 2025 the charity has delivered/participated in:
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Pride in Belper 02/08/25 – Large community event based on the celebration and education surrounding the LGBT+ family held in the heart of Belper and including the wider community of Belper. Attended by an estimated staggering 11 thousand people with approximately 5 thousand taking part in the parade. We implemented the learning from the previous year and responded to threats (LGBA) effectively with the support of Derbyshire Constabulary which enhanced our resilience. Thanks to the teamwork and dedication of the committee and our volunteers (collectively 75 people!), it was still a great success.
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Pride in Belper Fun Dog Show 03/08/25 – Fun dog show hosted by PiB and held in the centre of Belper. The event was well attended with over 200 dogs joining the show categories.
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PiB attendance at or participation/involvement with:
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Local farmers market
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Secondary school arts open day
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Local cinema event
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‘Dragged Up in Belper’
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Initiation of the ‘Welcome List’ (in response to the Supreme Court judgement)
Submitted by: Helen Barley-McMullen, Secretary, Pride in Belper
Signed:
Dated: 01/11/2025
Treasurer’s report for 1st October 2024 to 30[th] September 2025.
Costs of First Aid and Insurance have continued to rise but our continued good relationship with East Midlands Medical Services resulted in a favourable deal for this year’s event.
We were only able to afford two BSL signers this year, as grant funding has been much harder to secure. However, thanks to our sponsors and with donations from local businesses and people, we were again able to provide a Revolootion Accessible Changing Room, and a sensory/quiet area.
Dog show takings were down on previous years as the weather was unsettled compared to the last two years, but the turnout was good.
We opened a new bank account with Lloyds, a Commercial Instant Account, for our reserved funds. Interest for the year was £15.87.
Mary McLean Farmer Treasurer Pride in Belper 17/10/2025
– Pride in Belper Balance Sheet 1[st] October 2024 30[th] September 2025
| Brought forward | 6372.39 |
|---|---|
| Income: | |
| Sponsorship | 1900 |
| Donations | 2148.42 |
| Stalls | 3005 |
| Grants (restricted funds) | 994 |
| Events & merch | 2683.59 |
| Other | 600 |
| Total Income | £11331.01 |
| Total | £17703.40 |
| Expenditure: | |
| Flags, banners etc | 307.63 |
| Website | 82.92 |
| Road /licenses/Signs/4x4 group 341 | |
| Merchandise | 680.75 |
| Events insurance | 736.65 |
| Revoloo | 541 |
| First aid | 3049 |
| Stage hire | 894 |
| Performers | 470 |
| Events sundries | 1296.15 |
| Radios equipment | 490.14 |
| BSL | 979.8 |
| Cash withdraw (Floats, transfers)3280 | |
| Total Expenditure | £13149.04 |
Expenditure 13149.04
At bank : Treasurers Acc 4554.36 Additional accounts: Commercial Instant 3015.87 (Reserved funds)
Total in bank: £7570.23 Carried forward £7570.23 of which £3015.87 is reserved