Monday 6th February 2023: The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre has been granted official charity status by the Charity Commission. The Centre’s new patrons will be announced in the coming weeks.
Just over a year after it opened, this major step underlines the commitment of the Centre, its staff, volunteers and Trustees to building a lasting space which serves all members of the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2022, the Centre welcomed over 13,600 visitors through its doors and hosted more than 500 events. From HIV testing drop-ins and language classes to Queer Women’s Days and family storytimes, more than 8,000 people took part in the Centre’s events last year.
The Centre has also played a pivotal role in supporting and collaborating with other charities and organisations. Providing spaces for over 60 local community groups including LGBTQ+ Narcotics Anonymous, the LGBTQ+ Indian Network, All About Trans, Dope Black Queers and Wandsworth Carers Centre, and partnering with more than 15 LGBTQ+ charities including Metro, Opening Doors, Black Thrive and Stonewall Housing.
In the next year, the Centre will continue to adapt its space and offerings, so it can be as accessible as possible to LGBTQ+ people. The Centre will develop partnerships with even more LGBTQ+ organisations in the capital and beyond.
Sarah Moore (she/her), Co-founder and Director at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre said:
“I’m absolutely thrilled that the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre has received charitable status. With the help of Bates Wells and Clifford Chance, who have given us pro bono support, we are now a registered charity and are able to benefit from significantly more funding opportunities.
The work of the Centre is absolutely vital for some of the most marginalised members of our community, and I’m pleased this has been recognised by the Charity Commission.We look forward to pushing on now and continuing to serve the community we love so much.”
Bisila Noha (she/her), Business Development Manager at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, said:
“Being a registered charity has been one of our key priorities in the last year. Now that the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre is up and running, and we’re becoming more embedded in the community, our goal is to secure the funds we need to become financially sustainable and make sure we remain open
As a registered charity a plethora of funding opportunities have now opened up for us, which makes the future much brighter. It’s exciting times for us at the Centre!”
Raga D’silva (she/her), Chair of Trustees at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, said:
“I’m so excited to have been appointed as the Chair of Trustees of the London LGBTQ + Community Centre as we begin the next phase of our journey as a charity. With our strong team of staff, volunteers and Trustees, I’m looking forward to working with new partners, organisations and our community so our Centre can be a go-to sober space where LGBTQ+ folks can bring their whole selves.”
Lip Wieckowski (they/them), Centre Manager at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, said:
“Being recognised as a charity is another heartening acknowledgement of all the hard work of our team and our community. The possibilities this opens up to us makes me very excited about the future of what is already a beautiful project to work within.”
–ENDS–
Notes for editors
The London LGBTQ+ Community Centre is a sober, intersectional community centre and café where all LGBTQ+ people are welcome, supported, can build connections and can flourish. We work with some amazing charities and groups to deliver LGBTQ+-specific services, alongside a holistic programme of sober events. Our vision is for a more connected, belonging and thriving LGBTQ+ community in London.
We are a registered charity.
The concept for the Centre came out of conversations between friends and was brought to life by a group of volunteers. Since the inception of the project in 2017, hundreds of volunteers have contributed time, expertise and enthusiasm to get us to where we are now. To find out more about our team, visit www.londonlgbtqcentre.org/meet-the-team
WEBSITE https://londonlgbtqcentre.org/
IG/TW/FB @LdnLGBTQCentre
CHARITY NUMBER 1201531