Voice and Influence
The Diversity Trust has received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund to roll out the Voice and Influence project across the South-West, to influence social change to create a fairer and safer society for LGBTQ+ people.
Our aim is to amplify and strengthen the voices of LGBTQ+ people through collaborative and strategic work. The Diversity Trust will do this by developing networks and organisations, increase voice and influence of local LGBTQ+ people, create meaningful volunteering opportunities and work towards building safer communities.
We are working across the following regions:
Volunteering
This funding has allowed us to expand our volunteering opportunities as part of this project. 
We have developed a range of volunteer policies and procedures in line with our new volunteer strategy. Currently through the Voice & Influence project we have recruited a number of LGBTQ+ volunteers across a range of different disciplines throughout The Diversity Trust to enhance our volunteer offering as well as given them meaningful opportunities to learn and grow their skills.
Project Updates
During year one of the project, we have developed research projects around Bisexuality, LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes and what improvements are needed in the NHS for Trans & Non-Binary people. The Diversity Trust has also positioned itself strategically to be able to share the voices of LGBTQ+ people with decision makers and to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are always part of the conversation. Our aim is to also position ourselves where we have a working relationship with local authorities as well as local MPs, so that we get those voices heard and influence change.
Reports
Summer of Pride 2025 Recap
Pride season is one of the hallmark events in the calendar for the LGBTQ+ community. It is an opportunity for people to celebrate who they truly are and to express their authentic selves in a comfortable and safe space. As part of The Diversity Trust’s Voice and Influence Project, our team travelled around the South West attending various Pride events to engage with LGBTQ+ people. Our aim was to listen to the people who lived in each area and find out what was missing for the LGBTQ+ community in their region, what gave them a sense of joy / community and how the recent Supreme Court ruling had impacted them or their loved ones. Due to the current political climate, now more than ever, it has been vital to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ people and ensure these voices are being listened to by decision-makers. This is why we are proud to present our Summer of Pride 2025 report. Our hope is that it will highlight where barriers remain an issue for LGBTQ+ people, and so statutory bodies can act and support their local LGBTQ+ community.
Read the full report:
Menopause White Paper: LGBTQ+ Insights
Our second white paper in a three-part series explores diversity in menopause, with a focus on LGBTQ+ experiences in the workplace. Released during Menopause Awareness Month, it follows a paper on disability and will be complemented by one on race and ethnicity. Developed and written by volunteers with lived experience and supported by The Diversity Trust, the paper highlights gaps in traditional menopause training and emphasises intersectionality. It aims to support employers, HR and leadership teams in creating inclusive, informed menopause policies grounded in real experiences. While UK-focused, the findings encourage global learning and action toward inclusive workplaces.
Read the white paper:
LGBTQ+ Hate Crime in 2024
As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2024, The Diversity Trust wanted to capture the voices of the LGBTQ+ community in the South West of England. The aim of this project is to identify what barriers exist for LGBTQ+ people when it comes to reporting a hate crime or accessing additional support following an incident. Through hosting a series of inperson workshops, online surveys and anonymous feedback boxes, the Trust aimed to gather tangible evidence – and therefore a collective voice – as to what needs to change to improve the LGBTQ+ experience.
Read the full summary of our findings:
Bisexual Awareness Week 2024
During Bisexual Awareness Week 2024, The Diversity Trust developed a survey to capture the voices of bisexual people. The purpose behind recording these experiences is to bring bisexuality to the front of conversations and highlight the barriers, challenges, and discrimination stll faced by bisexual people in the 21st Century. It’s vital, also, to reveal the positive experiences: the joy; connection; and freedom found in bisexuality, to show the authentic reality of being bisexual.
Read the full summary of our findings:
Trans Pride 2024
- The Diversity Trust was once again privileged to be invited to be in attendance at Trans Pride Bristol which was held on November 23, 2024.
- This community event marks the end to Trans Awareness week nationally, but in the South West it is an opportunity for the Trans & Non-Binary community to see what organisations, groups and services are out there to represent and them.
- Through the Trust’s Voice and Influence project, which has been funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, we took the decision to use this this year’s event as an opportunity to focus on inequalities in Trans & Non-Binary health care.
- To do this we partnered with Mendip Primary Care Network and Vitaminds – talking therapies – to engage with those in attendance around three specific areas in a bid to get as much feedback and conversation as possible.
- Read the full summary of our findings here.
