Winner of the Community Organisation Award for LGBT at the 2025 National Diversity Awards
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.
How has your work made a difference to your community or the people that you support?
We provide support and services to the LGBTQ+ community. We strive to help members realise that there is support out there, and that they are not alone. We believe that no-one should live in fear of discrimination, and that people should be their authentic selves.
What first inspired you to begin this journey?
We set up this group for the LGBTQ+ community of Wolverhampton, as there was a massive gap serving this community.
We started holding online sessions during the 2020 Lockdown, and these sessions have been very popular.
Tell us about your experience at this year’s National Diversity Awards?
Being at the National Diversity Award ceremony was an amazing experience.
Having the opportunity to meet other people who do fantastic work and make a difference in the community was interesting and helpful.
When we heard our organisation called out as winners of the LGBTQ+ Community award, it was a shock. It was a very emotional moment.
How do you think winning this award will influence your work or your future goals?
This award has provided the LGBT Sparkle group with a huge publicity boost. We have had new members join as a result.
Winning this award has also provided additional credibility, and this is useful when dealing with the Council and other bodies.
Which of your projects, initiatives or campaigns are you most proud of, and why do you think they have had such a strong impact?
We helped a member from an ethnic minority who wasn’t very talkative when he first joined. As a result of meeting other members of the group, his confidence grew.
When we had new members who were from similar ethnic minorities, he actively helped run activities.
We are a small organisation that provides an inclusive service for people from all walks of life.
Looking back, is there anything you would approach differently now, or something you have learned along the way that has changed your perspective?
Working with other groups in partnership is a more successful way of running events and obtaining funding.
What advice would you give to others who want to make a positive difference in their community or workplace?
Just go for it!
We had never run an organisation like this before. We learned that being your true self is important.
Who has inspired you or supported you most on your journey, and how have they influenced your work?
Our members. Seeing the result that our work has made is the reward for our efforts.
What does receiving a National Diversity Award mean to you personally, and to the community or cause that you represent?
Being recognised for our achievements has provided a personal boost to the pair of us. Recognition has given us an energy boost to keep growing the group.
Is there anything that you would like to see from National or Local Government that could better support your work or others doing similar things?
Smaller organisations such as LGBT Sparkle contribute a lot to society, but often find obtaining funding and support more difficult.
What’s next for you?
We will continue to work supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Our membership is growing, and this means that we can share the workload.
Thank you for sharing your story, we can’t wait to celebrate your continued journey!