Suffolk: Hopes that Pride 2023 can be Ipswich's biggest yet

Thom Hollyer and their partner, Ellena Woolf, are the new co-chairs of Suffolk Pride.  

Thom explained that they are hoping to build Suffolk Pride’s largest committee yet, to enable them to organise events for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the year.  

“We want to create an all-year-round presence, and a sense that we are an organisation that is there for the people of Suffolk who are in the LGBTQ+ community,” explained Thom, 35. 

“Obviously, we need people to do that, which is why we are pushing to gather our biggest committee ever.” 

Thom Hollyer and Ellena Woolf are the new co-chairs of Suffolk Pride. Credit: Thom Hollyer (Image: Thom Hollyer)

Suffolk's fourth Pride took place in June this year. (Image: Brittany Woodman)

Hundreds turned out to support Suffolk Pride 2022, including past and present mayors of Ipswich. (Image: Brittany Woodman)

Co-chair of Pride Thom said that momentum has steadily building in recent Prides. (Image: Brittany Woodman)

While this year’s parade was a resounding success, several committee members have now moved on, creating spaces to be filled. 

Some of these roles will include outreach work, building relationships with charities and organisations. Others will focus on networking with local businesses which strive to be allies to LGBTQ+ people. 

There will also be roles which deal with administration and securing funding. 

However, Thom said that anyone is welcome to join. 

“I can guarantee that anyone who wants to get involved will have a skill set that will be of use to Suffolk Pride in some form or other,” they said. 

Next year’s Pride will be Suffolk’s fifth Pride. The first took place in 2019, but, like many events, had to be scaled back due to the pandemic in subsequent years. 

Pride 2022 was attended by hundreds, including families and children. (Image: Newsquest)

Suffolk Pride 2022 was a resounding success. (Image: Brittany Woodman)

Hundreds of people showed their pride in, and support for the LGBTQ community at this year's Pride. (Image: Brittany Woodman)

This year’s Pride focused on making the event accessible to all, and Thom said that momentum is steadily building for 2023. 

“We wouldn’t want that momentum to slow because we can’t find enough people,” they said. 

“We are certain that there are people in the community who would be willing to give maybe a couple of hours a week, to make sure that the whole thing can keep moving forward and expanding.” 

To volunteer with Suffolk Pride, fill out a Google form using the following link: www.suffolkpride.org.uk/volunteer

For more information, visit Suffolk Pride’s social media pages: Facebook @NewSuffolkPride Instagram @suffolkpride