Pride and inclusion: Family Fund at York Pride
At Family Fund, we’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be themselves. That’s why we’re proud to be involved in events like York Pride. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and connect with the families we support in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Family Fund Business Services Communications and Marketing manager Victoria tells us why she wanted to volunteer again on Family Fund’s stall.
Making connections in our community
“Family Fund has had a stall at York Pride for the last couple of years. It creates a welcoming place to speak to families and raise awareness of the work we do. I love joining Family Fund at Pride. It’s a fantastic opportunity to speak to the people we support. This is something I don’t get in my day-to-day role as Marketing Manager for Family Fund Business Services.
“It’s so lovely to hear how our grants make a real difference to people’s lives. And chat to families who are having a fun and low-cost day out!
A welcoming space for all
“This year our stall had lots of activities – all of them completely free. From asking people to share what Disability and Pride means to them, to colouring activities for kids. And, for the first time – design your own Pride badge, which was my favourite part of the day. It was so joyful to see the designs that people wanted immortalising in badge-form!
It’s more than just a stall
“I’ve worked for Family Fund Business Services for two years. Both years I have brought my whole family with me to volunteer on the Family Fund stall. As a bisexual mum in a straight-passing relationship, I attend Pride to connect with the queer community in York. It’s important to me to bring my whole family as I want my little boy to learn that everyone is welcome, there is no wrong way to express gender, and for him to know it is always okay to be himself. My husband comes along as an ally and so that he can take care of our son, who has ADHD. This means I am able to enjoy the day without taking the role of principal caregiver.
Understanding how lived experiences combine
“I think it’s great that Family Fund have a presence at York Pride each year. Our day-to-day work is providing grants to families with seriously ill or disabled children and living on low incomes. This means understanding how different parts of people’s lived experience combine to create their unique circumstance. Recognising and visibly supporting every part of someone’s identity, including being LGBTQ+, shows a deeper commitment to diversity and inclusion. As an LGBTQ+ member of staff, I feel supported and encouraged by Family Fund’s choice to take part in York Pride.
A culture of inclusion
“Inclusion is something that I feel Family Fund does well from an employee perspective. We have a staff council where our opinions are not only heard but actively welcomed. We also have an inclusion committee. This deliberately champions diverse perspectives and promotes equality and diversity.
See you next year?
“My whole family has a fantastic time at Pride. I have a fab time on the stall chatting to colleagues and families, eating snacks and meeting people. I also get to pet all the dogs that come to say hi! My little boy is made to feel welcome by all the volunteers on the stall and his additional needs are sensitively catered for by everyone. I can’t wait for next June to do it all again!”