About Us | Longboat Wakefield

LonGBoaT Wakefield CIO is an LGBT+ charity based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. We’re here to support the local community and its allies, creating a space where everyone feels welcome. We first came together in 2018 to keep the spirit of Southgate’s pride event alive, and we’ve grown ever since – putting on events, offering support, and building connections throughout the year. In April 2024, we officially became a registered Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

What We’re About

Our goal is simple: to help make Wakefield a place where LGBT+ people feel seen, heard, and respected. We bring people together to celebrate our community, share experiences, and support each other.

What We Do

We run a mix of events and activities throughout the year, including:

Community Pride – Our big annual celebration, with performances, activities and a great community atmosphere.
Virgin Drag Competition – A chance for up-and-coming drag performers from across the region to take the stage and show what they’ve got.
Weekly Trivia Night – A fun, laid-back evening where people can get together, have a laugh, and make new friends.
Drop-In Coffee Mornings – Held at our Hub (Unit 3, The Station Masters House, Wakefield Kirkgate Railway Station), these regular sessions offer a friendly space to chat, meet others, and find out about local support.
Station Adoption – We’ve adopted Wakefield Kirkgate Railway Station and work with the community to improve the area through gardening and creative projects.

Check our Whats On for the latest on what’s coming up.

We’re always looking for people who want to help out – whether that’s by volunteering, coming along to our events, or spreading the word. However you want to be part of it, we’d love to hear from you. Head over to our Volunteer page to find out more.

Our 5 Year Strategy

As LonGBoaT Wakefield celebrates its first year as a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), we’re proud to launch our new 5-Year Strategy: a clear, ambitious plan to improve the lives of LGBT+ people across the Wakefield District and strengthen our community.

What started in 2019 as a small community effort has, in the last year, quickly grown into something bigger. We’ve listened to what our community needs and responded with action. Our 5 year strategy recognises where our roots began, and builds on that giving a clear structure for the future.

What We’ve Learned: One Year In

When we became a CIO in April 2024, we thought we’d mainly be running events and building community spaces. What we didn’t expect was just how serious and complex the needs of LGBT+ people locally would turn out to be.

Our blog, A Local Look at National Trends, lays out the challenges in black and white: from mental health struggles and loneliness to discrimination, poverty, and barriers to healthcare.

The Wakefield JSNA gives us the hard facts:

5.8% of adults here identify as LGBTQ+ (much higher than the national average).
17.1% of Year 12 students are LGBTQ+ but they’re also more likely to face bullying, mental health issues, and isolation.
LGBTQ+ adults are far more likely to have experienced childhood trauma, self-harm, and problems accessing support.

It’s clear that the world we thought we were stepping into has shifted. Our strategy is a direct response to that.

Our Plan for the Next 5 Years

Our 5-Year Strategy is built around five key areas. Each one is shaped by what local people have told us matters most.

Events & Activities
Services
Finance & Sustainability
Profile & Partnerships
Trustees & Volunteers

Why This Strategy Matters

This isn’t just a plan on paper: it’s a commitment to our community. We know the challenges are real, and we’re stepping up to meet them head-on.

The evidence is clear: the time for change is now. Over the next five years, LonGBoaT Wakefield will grow in size, influence, and ambition: becoming a real force for change across Wakefield and beyond.

Whether you’re part of our community, an ally, a supporter, a policymaker, or a potential partner, we want you involved.

Want to get involved?

Visit www.longboatwakefield.org

Email us: contact@longboatwakefield.org

Foreword - by David Swyer

Change is indeed a challenge, and LonGBoaT Wakefield's transition to a Charity Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in April 2024 marks a significant milestone.

This transformation has opened up both challenges and opportunities, placing LonGBoaT Wakefield in a pivotal position to enhance its support for the LGBT+ community in Wakefield. With a solid foundation of events, the organisation is now poised to expand its services and offer comprehensive support to ensure that the community not only feels included but can also thrive. This evolution enables LonGBoaT Wakefield to be a beacon of hope and empowerment, fostering an environment where every individual and our community can flourish.

I have always though LonGBoaT Wakefield could be more than it was set out to be. Now with the fantastic support from the board of Trustees and our brilliant volunteers we are able to do this.

I am excited to see where LonGBoaT Wakefield will be in 5 years time and the work that we detail in this strategy.

I would like to thank everyone for work to get us to here and for all of the hard work that is to come.

Your LonGBoaT Wakefield Trustees

At LonGBoaT Wakefield, all CIO trustees are unpaid volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time and expertise to ensure the success of our charity. Their and passion play a crucial role in driving our forward, and we are incredibly grateful for their generous contributions. Together, they work tirelessly to make a meaningful impact in our community