2025: A Year of Growth, Connection and Pride

2025 has been the biggest and most impactful year to date for Lanarkshire Pride CIC. This year marked a clear step-change in our work — from primarily delivering an annual Pride event to becoming a year-round LGBTQ+ community organisation, offering consistent support, visible Pride, creative expression and meaningful opportunities for people to get involved.

From weekly Pride Connect groups to a Pride event that welcomed over 10,000 people across the day, 2025 was defined by scale, consistency and confidence.

Pride Connect: Weekly Support with Real Reach

One of the most significant achievements of 2025 was the growth of Pride Connect into a weekly programme of LGBTQ+ support and connection.

Key facts from 2025:

Pride Connect groups ran weekly, providing reliable, in-person LGBTQ+ spaces in Hamilton
We launched Pride Connect Youth, addressing a clear gap in local provision for younger LGBTQ+ people
In August 2025, we introduced a 25+ Pride Connect group following strong community demand
Across the year, Pride Connect recorded 302 visits to the project
Given the 25+ group ran for less than half the year, the level of engagement exceeded expectations

This level of participation demonstrates both the scale of need and the value of consistent, local LGBTQ+ provision. Weekly delivery allowed trust to build, relationships to deepen and support to be available all year round — not just during Pride season.

Extending Support Beyond the Room: Digital & Online Provision

Recognising that not everyone can access in-person spaces, 2025 also saw us expand our digital support offer.

This year we:

Launched an online peer support function, enabling LGBTQ+ people to connect, seek support and access signposting remotely
Launched a new Lanarkshire Pride website, providing clearer information, additional supporting resources and improved access to services

These developments ensure our support reaches people wherever they are, reducing barriers and complementing our in-person delivery.

Health, Wellbeing and Inclusive Activity

In 2025, we expanded our work into health and wellbeing, recognising the importance of gentle, inclusive activity in supporting both physical and mental health.

We launched a monthly Pride Walking Group in collaboration with Get Walking Lanarkshire, offering:

A relaxed, welcoming outdoor space for LGBTQ+ people
Support for mental wellbeing, confidence and social connection
An accessible alternative for people who may find traditional group settings challenging

This partnership broadened our offer and ensured our work supports wellbeing in multiple, inclusive ways.

Pride South Lanarkshire 2025: Scale, Visibility and Impact

On Saturday 2 August 2025, we delivered our largest Pride South Lanarkshire event to date, centred in Hamilton town centre.

2025 highlights included:

A Pride march of around 1,000 people, our biggest turnout yet
An estimated 10,000+ people attending across the day, including marchers, families, allies and members of the wider public
Strong visibility and positive engagement throughout the town centre
Many first-time Pride attendees, reflecting the accessibility of a local, community-led event
Effective partnership working to deliver a safe, welcoming and well-managed public celebration

The scale of attendance demonstrates the growing appetite for inclusive, community-focused Pride events in Lanarkshire.

Creativity, Culture and Youth Voice

A major cultural milestone in 2025 was the delivery of the first-ever LGBTQ+ exhibition at Low Parks Museum.

The exhibition featured work inspired by our Pride Connect Youth group, giving young LGBTQ+ people:

A public platform for creative expression
Visibility within a major local cultural venue
Recognition of LGBTQ+ stories as part of Lanarkshire’s shared heritage

This was a powerful moment of inclusion, representation and pride — both for the young people involved and for the wider community.

Strengthening Our Organisation: Governance, Voice and Belonging

Alongside delivery, 2025 was also about building strong foundations for the future.

This year we:

Launched our official Steering Group, creating a structured way for community members and stakeholders to help shape our direction
Introduced a Supporter Membership option, enabling individuals to formally support Lanarkshire Pride and stay connected to our work

These developments strengthen our governance, widen participation and ensure Lanarkshire Pride remains community-led, accountable and sustainable.

Powered by People: Our Volunteers at the Heart

Everything achieved in 2025 has been made possible through the commitment, generosity and belief of our people.

Lanarkshire Pride is powered by:

Volunteers, who give their time, energy and care to support weekly groups, events, activities and Pride delivery
Directors, who contribute significant time outside of working hours — often in evenings and at weekends — to plan, deliver and strengthen projects
A shared belief that LGBTQ+ people across Lanarkshire deserve safe, welcoming and visible spaces

This collective effort reflects the strength of our community and shows what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose and passion for positive change.

Funded, Supported and Built Through Partnership

We are incredibly grateful for the partners who made this work possible:

The National Lottery Community Fund — supporting our core delivery and weekly Pride Connect programme
Vaslan — providing organisational support and capacity-building
EventScotland — supporting Pride South Lanarkshire 2025

Looking Ahead to 2026: Growing Our Impact

Building on the momentum of our biggest year yet, 2026 will be about growth, reach and sustainability.

Launching Pride Connect Motherwell, extending weekly LGBTQ+ support into a new community
Rolling out our new training programme, supporting inclusive practice while generating sustainable income
Delivering Pride Lanarkshire 2026, building on the scale, visibility and success of previous years

Support Our Work

Everything we do is powered by community support. You can help us grow our impact in 2026 by:

Becoming a Member
Making a Donation
Booking Our Training

Together, we can ensure Pride in Lanarkshire is not just one day — but a year-round presence, every year.

Thank You

2025 has been our biggest year yet.

With 302 Pride Connect visits, weekly groups, online peer support, a new website, a 1,000-strong Pride march, 10,000+ people engaging across the day, a monthly Pride Walking Group, the first LGBTQ+ exhibition at Low Parks Museum, and strengthened governance through our Steering Group and membership model, this year demonstrated the power of consistent, community-led LGBTQ+ support, celebration and visibility.

To our volunteers, supporters, partners and community members — thank you. Your time, care and commitment are at the heart of everything we do.

We enter 2026 proud of what we’ve built, grateful for everyone who made it possible, and excited for what comes next.

🏳️‍🌈 Here’s to Pride — every week, every age, every part of Lanarkshire.