Partnering with Pride
Who you love or how you identify is not a barrier to opportunities.
Pride events are so important as an expression of togetherness, showcasing diversity, equity and inclusivity within the LGBT+ community. They celebrate the countless people that have lost their jobs, families and lives to be able to live in peace with themselves and improve the world we are living in.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is proud to have partnered with many Pride events in previous years.
We continue to build on our partnerships with Pride events across the country, and look forward to partnering with many more events in the future.
Birmingham Pride
We have been partnering with Birmingham Pride since 2021 to increase awareness about our recent FAIR changes for our donors but also to celebrate as an organisation with all our peers about inclusivity, diversity and equity.
NHSBT marched for the first time ever in the parade in 2022. It was a landmark moment for the organisation.
During Birmingham Pride week, thanks to our partnership, we had a noticeable uplift in our blood donation website traffic with almost 18% more users visiting our website. This led to almost 4% more blood donation appointments which helped us to maintain our blood supplies safe nationally thanks to the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2024, NHSBT attended Birmingham Pride to collectively promote whole blood, plasma and organ donation.
Find out which organisations supported us at Birmingham Pride in 2024
NHSBT at Birmingham Pride 2024
Bristol Pride
At Bristol Pride in 2024 we showcased our organisation to over 23,650 LGBTQ+ people and organisations in and around Bristol.
We saw a massive presence and participation from the crowds as part of the 25,000 strong parade with our 'mobile music men'.
We then went to The Downs and encouraged donor registrations at our brightly coloured Expo stand promoting the FAIR changes and how donation is now even more accessible to the LGBTQ+ community.
Our relationship with Bristol Pride organisers is strong and we look forward to more exciting opportunities for 2025.
Bristol Pride
UK Black Pride
In summer 2022, we supported UK Black Pride next to our new Donor Centre in Stratford – London. UK Black Pride is the Europe’s largest pride celebration for LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern-descent.
The festival had a record-breaking 25,000 people attend at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, making 2022 the most successful turnout yet.
During this event we managed to engage and register 32% of new Black heritage donors and 18% of male donors.
At the moment we need Black donors because of a rise in demand for some rare blood types that are more common in people of Black heritage. Thanks to our partnership with UK Black Pride, we have been able to engage with all communities and make sure there’s enough blood available for everyone.
We will add our 2025 partnerships to this page as and when they are confirmed.
NHSBT participating in Pride events across the country is hugely important in supporting the diversity of our amazing donors and people.
Mark Croucher (pronouns: he/him)
Assistant Director, Donor Experience Services
Want to partner with us?
There are always ways to support Pride events and showcase your commitment to the community, staff and clients all while helping make those vital events happen.
If you have any further questions about Pride or would like to get involved, please email pride@nhsbt.nhs.uk.