Looking Ahead: Our First Trustee Board Meeting of 2026

We’ve kicked off 2026 with our first LonGBoaT Wakefield Trustee Board Meeting, taking time to reflect on the work already underway and to look ahead at the opportunities this year will bring for our LGBT+ community in the Wakefield District.

Trustee meetings might happen quietly in the background, but they’re vital to making sure we remain sustainable, inclusive and accountable, and that everything we do continues to centre the needs and voices of LGBT+ people. Our public AGM will take place in April - sign up to our mailing list if you wish to get notified when this will be.

The LonGBoaT Wakefield Trustee Team at the first Board Meeting of 2026. Left to Right: David Hallows (Treasurer), David Swyer (Chair of Trustees), Taylor Maddison (Training Officer), Lila Blake Gahan (Digital & Comms), Emily Kirt (EDI Officer) & Chris Hughes (Vice Chair of Trustees

Getting started

The meeting opened with welcomes and apologies, followed by approval of the minutes from our previous meeting. We then reviewed our action log, checking progress and making sure key tasks are being followed through. It’s always encouraging to see how much gets done between meetings thanks to our dedicated trustees and volunteers.

Finance and planning for 2026

A significant part of the meeting focused on our financial position and the opportunities 2026 may bring. Trustees reviewed our current status and discussed future funding opportunities, exploring how potential bids align with our strategy and values.

Strong financial planning allows us to continue delivering safe, welcoming spaces for LGBT+ people, whether that’s through community events, volunteering opportunities or support schemes that help people feel visible and included.

Trustees and volunteers

We regularly review trustee and volunteer applications, and this meeting was no exception. Volunteers are at the heart of what we do, and we’re always keen to hear from people who want to take a more active role in shaping our work.

If you’re interested in getting involved, you can find out more and apply here

We also discussed trustee recruitment, recognising how important it is to have a diverse board that reflects the communities we serve and brings a range of lived experiences and skills.

Activity updates

There were some really positive updates shared during the meeting:

• Safe Space Scheme – amazing progress is being made, with new organisations continuing to join. Each new Safe Space helps make Wakefield a safer, more inclusive place for LGBT+ people to live, work and visit.

• Student placement – we’re pleased to have accepted a student on a work placement scheme. They’ll be working alongside the trustee board to learn how a charity operates, while gaining valuable workplace experience.

Events and activities

We reviewed our current and upcoming activities:

• Groundwork projects – while the project is nearing its end in February, there’s still time to get involved in our horticulture sessions. Sadly, our art classes finished in December, but their impact continues to be felt across our spaces. Look out for the artwork appearing at Kirkgate soon.

• LGBT+ archive project – there’s an exciting possibility of hosting an evening in the archives during LGBT+ History Month, exploring and discussing local LGBT+ stories. Watch this space for more details.

• Wakefield Community Pride 2026 – work is already bubbling away to build on last year’s celebration. Make a note in your diary: Sunday 9 August 2026 🌈

The unglamorous but essential work

Finally, we discussed organisational matters. While not always visible, ongoing work around policies, procedures and governance is essential to ensure LonGBoaT Wakefield remains safe, effective and supportive for everyone who engages with us.

Share your feedback

If you’ve attended an event or had contact with us, we’d love to hear what you think. Your feedback helps us grow and improve. Please consider leaving us a review on our Google review page.

As we move further into 2026, we’re excited about what’s ahead and grateful to everyone who supports our work — from trustees and volunteers to partners and community members.

Together, we continue building a Wakefield where LGBT+ people feel seen, supported and celebrated.

If you wish to find out more about our work please visit our website or read more about our 5 years strategy here.