How Suffolk Pride built a year-round community from a one-day event

Setting the scene

Whilst Pride events have been held in Ipswich on and off since the 1990s, the first big public Pride in Ipswich was held in 2009 in Christchurch park, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. There was a further park-based Pride in 2012, with the event then relocating for the first time to the waterfront in 2014. It took place at the waterfront twice more, in 2019 and 2022, before shifting away from this format.

In the UK, June is known as Pride month, the time of year when Pride marches and parades happen across the country. This month commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal event that took place on 28th June 1969 in New York when police harassment of the gay community escalated into six days of public protest and violent clashes. Historians agree that this was a significant moment in the history of LGBT+ activism, sparking the formation of hundreds of independent activist groups across the western world, many of whom still campaign today.

For three years now, Suffolk Pride - a small team of committed core volunteers - have delivered a month-long, multi-venue, county-wide fringe festival in June. Like many organisations feeling the strain of rising prices, they were acutely aware that the cost of staging a one-day parade had increased substantially.

When faced with the exhausting task of fundraising incessantly throughout the year to fund one single event, they decided to pivot and make better use of their limited time as volunteers. Instead they moved into a more innovative, impactful, and wider-reaching fringe festival format.

From parade to festival

The move towards a Suffolk Pride fringe format, rather than one annual event, came about because of the substantial expense of such an approach. Road closures, people management, health and safety requirements, production costs, transport and planning represent just some of the burgeoning costs involved in staging a large-scale, free, one-day public event.

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The organising committee went to great lengths deliberating the best way to proceed, measuring the effect of an annual event versus the time, money and resources needed to make it happen. The reach of a single large event, whilst symbolic in its public nature, was limited.

As a community-driven group that relies largely on goodwill and donations, supplemented by occasional grants from councillors and local organisations, it was decided that they could make a much more significant, and long-lasting impact by creating a month-long programme across the county.

Being based in rural Suffolk, there had always been questions about why Suffolk Pride exclusively took place in Ipswich. Being freed from the immense burden of an expensive annual parade has given the team the capacity to work across the county, perhaps even creating space for the towns and villages across the region to form their own Pride events.

A fringe festival is also inherently collaborative in nature. Local venues, promoters and artists run their own events, often hosting special celebrations like SoapBox Spoken Word CIC's Pride Poetry event, which also benefit from the promotion and support of the Suffolk Pride team. This creates more diverse and authentic content, as the programming is instigated from the community upwards.

Meet the chair

We spoke to the Chair of Suffolk Pride – Becki Blackwood – to find out more about the programme of events, to learn about the huge impact the Fringe Festival has had on the community, and to celebrate the success of 2025's event.

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Becki initially joined the Pride committee as the Diversity Lead in 2020, then she headed up the Communities Team, before becoming the Lead of Suffolk Pride when she was informed "no babes, you're the chair now" in 2023. It is a common story in the non-profit sector. People want to help people, and quickly end up taking on an extraordinary amount of work, almost by accident.

Perhaps it is better that way. If they knew in advance the amount of work they would be shouldering, maybe they would not end up where they are now. Not that you would ever catch Becki, or any of the team, complaining about the responsibility they carry. Instead, they consider it an honour to contribute to making people feel safer and supported.

Key events and achievements

Pride Roller Disco

One of the highlights of the Festival was the Pride roller disco, run by Suffolk Roller Derby, which was held at Suffolk New College sports centre in 2025. The fantastic atmosphere and central location resulted in a marked increase in attendance. There was an old fashioned DIY tuck-shop selling pick and mix bags for a pound, plus cheesy music, and experienced skate teachers informally supporting newcomers.

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The event was exceptional. Crews of young folks and older attendees donned their brightest colours, flags, and smiles, belting out modern queer anthems like Pink Pony Club, as they rolled around the circuit. Attendees varied from absolute first-time skaters through to exceptionally talented lifelong skaters. But regardless of skill, everyone felt truly welcomed, with a coned off area in the middle for complete beginners.

Pride Youth Takeover

One of the most impactful events in the Festival is the Youth event at The Hold, generously supported by the team onsite: Mandy, Barbara, Emily and Veronica. Local support service Outreach Youth are invaluable partners in this event, with young people from their organisation taking on volunteer roles, along with students from Northgate School, sharing speeches, and performing on stage at the event.

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Becki said it is "so beautiful to see the young people's growth in confidence over the years", with each cohort inspiring the next to be braver and take on active roles in delivery. One of the performances that took place on the day was a brand new musical collaboration between two young people. Prior to the event, they had not met in-person due to their differing residence across the county, so it was extra special to witness their first ever joint performance.

The Youth event was also supported by Wagamama's, who kindly provided food for all of the volunteers. An act of solidarity from a local business that makes a huge difference to the community. As Becki stated: "Pride isn't just a sticker in the window". Suffolk Pride deeply cherish those who contribute in meaningful ways, helping them to make a bigger impact.

Accessibility milestone

For the first time this year, all of the events in Suffolk Pride were held at accessible venues. It has long been an aim of the organising team, who are extremely passionate about inclusion, but in a town filled with ancient pubs and venues, it has taken a few years to fully achieve. They are exceptionally proud to have achieved this goal, especially as an organisation that holds inclusion as a core ideal.

Wellbeing and community support

Throughout Becki's time at Suffolk Pride, the team has placed significant emphasis on wellbeing, having identified a need for support. Being able to refocus and prioritise their energies had been another motivating factor to deliver a year-round programme. Feeling safe, supported and connected is an ongoing project that simply cannot be achieved by hosting one event a year.

The Festival always closes with a Wellbeing Walk on the last Sunday in June. This gentle gathering is a way to get people together, cement old friendships, and celebrate new connections. Ably facilitated by Katherine from White Cloud Healing & Holistic Therapy, this low-pressure, communal walk encouraged people to reflect on the 2025 Festival theme of "love". One especially memorable and emotional moment was the exchange of love and support between a mother and her son, who had only recently come out.

One of their most beloved events is Bxtch & Stitch, held monthly on the last Thursday of the month at Geek Retreat. An informal crafts and conversation group that fosters a sense of community over a shared activity, with a bit of good old fashioned offloading. There is a reason why "a problem shared is a problem halved" is such a truism.

Each year there is a different theme for the Fringe, that runs both explicitly and implicitly throughout the programme. For 2025 the theme was "love", highlighting self-love and caring for yourself, mentally, emotionally and physically. Becki explained that the theme encompasses the love given to chosen family, partners, and pets too. She emphasised that all forms of love are worthy, and should be acknowledged, with a focus on self-love as a foundational step for personal happiness.

Volunteers make it happen

It is important to state that the core team organising Suffolk Pride, who take on the heavy lifting for the Festival, are volunteers. They generously donate their skills, passion and time – the most valuable resource we have – to support and celebrate the communities they serve. All of the team have jobs, study, families, care commitments, and busy lives, yet they still give their heart and soul to creating this event.

This year's Festival welcomed nearly 30 event volunteers - with different levels of experience and availability - across the month-long programme, helping make every event the best it can be. In-person volunteers make a huge, and deeply valued difference, bolstering the small core team's capacity by supporting delivery on the day.

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Looking ahead

Along with Bxtch and Stitch taking place all year-round - with the next event happening on Thursday 24th July at Geek Retreat - they also have another Queer Joy Disco at The New Wolsey happening on Friday 29th August. Another regular event is Conversations and Crumpets, hosted by Iceni in partnership with Suffolk Pride, with each edition having a loose topic for discussion, and yummy crumpets to eat of course. Completely free of charge.

Looking forwards and always responding to need, the Suffolk Pride team are currently working on an application to become a charity. The success, impact and quality of their work has demonstrated, without doubt, that the need for their services is great. They have started recruiting trustees, and welcome expressions of interest by email from people with managerial experience, especially specialist skills like marketing, accounting and fundraising.

Even if you can only give them a few hours at an event, during the Festival itself in June, they would still love to hear from you. Please email info@suffolkpride.org.uk to register your interest. Having known the team personally for several years now, it is astonishing how much they do on such limited resources, with every year surpassing the last. If you are keen and able, please do get in touch and help them reach even more people in 2026.