About Croydon Pride

Our Vision

Croydon Pride envisions a diverse and inclusive community where all LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors feel valued, celebrated, and supported. As a resource for solidarity and empowerment, we are committed to creating an accessible space that reflects the vibrant, multicultural spirit of Croydon. Our goal is to foster an environment where every individual, regardless of their identity, can live authentically and safely. We aim to be a beacon of representation and unity, ensuring that Croydon remains a welcoming and safe place for all.

Our Mission

At Croydon Pride, our mission is to foster a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone in Croydon, regardless of background or identity, feels supported and valued. We are dedicated to building and maintaining meaningful relationships through peer support, social connections, and collaboration. By bringing people together, we strengthen community ties, create opportunities for collective growth, and work towards a financially sustainable future that ensures the long-term impact and accessibility of our work. We strive to be a catalyst for unity, helping to create a Croydon where all individuals can thrive together.

We are a UK-registered charity (1173230) and a company limited by guarantee (10555864), and any surplus funds we raise are reinvested back into the charity.

Our Aims

1. Raising Awareness & Promoting Inclusion
   Highlighting the challenges faced by Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community and advocating for greater equity, inclusion, and understanding.
2. Celebrating Diversity & Achievements
   Championing the diversity and accomplishments of Croydon’s LGBTQIA+ community, fostering a culture of respect and appreciation.
3. Collaborating for Greater Impact
   Partnering with local organisations, government bodies, and businesses to strengthen efforts for LGBTQIA+ equity and inclusion.
4. Promoting LGBTQIA+ Events & Community Building
   Organising and supporting events like Croydon PrideFest to unite and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our Objectives

1. Community Empowerment through Positivity
   We believe in the power of positivity to inspire change and strengthen our community. By uplifting and supporting each other, we create an environment where all individuals, especially those from marginalised groups, feel empowered to live authentically and with pride.
2. Celebrating Croydon’s Vibrant Culture
   Croydon Pride is rooted in the rich and diverse culture of our borough. We embrace the local community’s artistic, social, and cultural expressions, fostering a sense of pride in Croydon’s heritage and supporting the creativity, innovation, and spirit of inclusion that define our local identity.
3. Fostering a Sense of Belonging
   We are committed to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, feels they truly belong within our community. Croydon Pride is a space where everyone is accepted and valued, and where connections are made through mutual respect, understanding, and shared purpose.
4. Championing Diversity for All
   We are dedicated to promoting and celebrating the diversity of our LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. By fostering inclusivity in all its forms—be it in race, gender, sexual orientation, or other aspects of identity—we create a community that recognises, values, and celebrates every individual’s unique contribution.
5. Challenging Inequality and Advancing Fairness
   We are unwavering in our commitment to challenge discrimination, inequality, and injustice wherever they occur. Croydon Pride stands for fairness and strives to dismantle barriers that prevent full and equal participation, ensuring that every person has the same opportunities to thrive.
6. Enhancing Visibility and Representation
   We understand that visibility is key to creating social change and acceptance. By amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices and stories, we ensure that our community is seen, heard, and respected. We work to challenge stereotypes, promote authentic representation, and create space for all identities to be visible in the public sphere.
7. Creating Safe and Welcoming Spaces
   We are dedicated to providing safe spaces where all individuals can express themselves freely and without fear of harm. Croydon Pride ensures that everyone—whether at our events, in our spaces, or through our work—feels respected, supported, and welcome, regardless of their identity or background.

Meet the Board

Croydon Pride is governed by a voluntary Board of Trustees who have oversight of and are accountable for the charity’s activities, including the production of the annual Croydon PrideFest.
Meet the Board below:

Adam Farrell
Trustee
Adam joined the Board of Trustees in 2024, bringing over a decade of experience living and working in Croydon and a professional background in project management. A dedicated advocate for community & LGBTQIA+ initiatives, Adam is also a proud supporter of PrideFest.

Alex Richardson
Trustee
Alex joined the board in 2025 having recently moved to Croydon, with a passion for fairness, inclusivity and diversity. Alex has a background in corporate transformation, strategy and centre of excellence management.

Daniel Theophanides
Trustee
Dan joined the Board of Trustees in 2025 and has been a resident of Croydon for the past 12 years & a regular at pridefest. Dan works within the Retail Chairty sector raising vital funds for the cause.

Davey Tyler
Trustee
Davey joined the board of Trustees 2024 and has local businesses in the Croydon area, Davey is an LGBTQIA+ photographer and keen advocate for all LGBTQIA+ projects and has been putting on local events in the area for many years, pushing for inclusion and bringing the community together for LGBTQIA+ events for everyone to enjoy throughout the whole year.

Ria Patel
Trustee
Ria has volunteered with Croydon Pride since 2022 and joined the board of trustees in 2023. Previously The Green Party’s Equalities and Diversity spokesperson, and currently a councillor for Croydon’s town centre, Fairfield, they are a passionate advocate for queer liberation.

Sam Dewey
Trustee
Sam joined the Board of Trustees in 2024 and has been an annual PrideFest attendee for several years. Sam works within the third sector championing the contribution that charities bring to society. Sam lives in Croydon and has a passion for promoting equity for all within Croydon’s diverse community of residents and beyond.

Steven Hartwell
Treasurer
Steven joined the Board of Trustees in January 2019 as Treasurer and oversees the charity’s finances. Steven is a keen advocate for LGBTQIA+ equality in Croydon and a regular PrideFest goer.