2025 Shortlisted Nominee
Community Organisation Award: LGBT
LGBT Sparkle is a Wolverhampton-based, volunteer-led group supporting LGBTQ+ individuals and allies through inclusive, safe spaces and creative connection. Founded by Paul Ryder and Marcus Cotterill—both with lived experience of disability—the group initially launched with face-to-face meetings shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdowns began, sessions moved online via Zoom to maintain connection and support. Since then, LGBT Sparkle has grown to over 1,500 members across the UK, returning to in-person meetings while continuing a hybrid approach. The group hosts weekly meetups, social events, and popular arts and crafts workshops that encourage therapeutic conversation and build confidence. From drag nights and guided walks to dementia sessions and litter picks, each event fosters inclusion, creativity, and community care. Entirely volunteer-run, LGBT Sparkle fills a vital gap in LGBTQ+ support, creating a sense of belonging for those who often feel unseen.