LCR Pride Foundation, the region’s LGBT+ charity, has unveiled a major three-year partnership with long standing supporter Barclays.
Barclays have supported the LCR Pride Foundation since it was established in 2019, initially as Headline Sponsor for Pride in Liverpool and continuing that support through the difficulties posed by COVID19, where working together funds were used to support grass-roots organisations to continue their work in challenging times.
In addition to supporting the regional charity carry out its year-round work, this new partnership will have three main focuses which have been shaped by the work the two organisations have delivered together over the years:
- Proud Workplaces Programme – Working with employers, this programme will feature a series of seminars and keynote speakers discussing issues surrounding LGBT+ issues in the workplace, sharing best practice and support available. The full programme of events will be announced soon.
- Enterprise Programme – Supporting LGBT+ people to be enterprising, create new products, businesses and services and build their personal skills and employability. A series of hands-on expert tutorials, workshops and opportunities to exhibit at events across the region will run throughout the three year partnership.
- Community Fund – Returning once again, up to £15,000 per year of grass-roots funding is available to support LGBT+ community groups, organisations and individuals across Liverpool City Region. The fund will focus on projects and ideas that reduce the barriers LGBT+ people face in their day-to-day lives and complement other funds currently available through LCR Pride Foundation.
The initial phase of the project will be the LCR Pride Foundation Community Fund, which is now open to applications and will run until Wednesday, 6 March. Up to £15,000 is available for community-driven projects and ideas, with support and advice to apply available at www.lcrpride.fund. LCR Pride Foundation would particularly welcome applications for activity not already taking place in the region and from groups that are not equally represented within the community, media or local service provision.
Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation, said: “Barclays are working with us to ensure we can continue our vital support of the LGBT+ community across Liverpool City Region over the next three years. This funding will have a transformative impact on the services and support that we deliver, ultimately working towards our goal of making the Liverpool City Region the best to live, work and visit as an LGBT+ person.
“Major events like Pride in Liverpool take months of planning, programming and fundraising to make happen. By investing in the core charity, our team, facilities and knowledge base, this allows us to ensure that this can happen year-round and sustainably, which in turn ensures funding and sponsorship can be directed at the vital work it is intended for.”
Ann O’Donoghue, Group Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from Barclays said: “Our work with LCR Pride Foundation has demonstrated the real benefit that investing in grass-roots and community initiatives can bring. This partnership is one of the many ways that we strengthen our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture that enables our colleagues, customers, clients and communities to grow and Barclays colleagues across the North West are already excited to get involved.”
More information can be found at www.lcrpride.fund