A partnership built on trust, visibility, and shared values – MK Community Foundation has been at the heart of Milton Keynes Pride Festival since day one.
In 2019, a small team of passionate volunteers united with local LGBTQ+ charity Q:alliance to create a new kind of Pride event in Milton Keynes – one that celebrated identity, inclusion, and community, while also providing meaningful access to support services.
Held for the first time on the Campbell Park Events Plateau, the event offered something Milton Keynes hadn’t seen before in that space – a safe, free, and vibrant celebration where people could come together to be their true, authentic selves, without fear or prejudice.
Thanks to a grant from MK Community Foundation, the team was able to prioritise accessibility from the outset – providing British Sign Language interpreters, braille programmes, and introducing the RevoLOOtion Vehicle – a mobile, fully accessible, gender-neutral toilet facility. This ensured that everyone – regardless of disability or access needs – could take part in Pride with dignity and ease.
As the event grew in popularity and scale, it became clear that Q:alliance – which runs essential year-round services such as mental health workshops, youth support, and trans advocacy – needed to focus on its core mission. Meanwhile, the Pride event had grown large enough to require its own infrastructure and leadership.
In 2021, after a year away due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Milton Keynes Pride Festival became an independent Community Interest Company (CIC). At this pivotal moment, MK Community Foundation awarded a second grant, supporting the transition and reaffirming their commitment to Pride’s purpose.
In 2022, the relationship grew into a strategic partnership, providing a level of predictability and sustainability that allowed the festival team to plan more effectively – particularly around accessibility and wellbeing services.
“Having the MK Community Foundation as a long-term partner has been transformational – their standing as a pillar of local social impact, combined with their reputation as an established and respected community organisation, gave Milton Keynes Pride Festival immediate credibility. It drew attention from other potential sponsors, increased our visibility, and helped open the door to new partnerships. Their support signalled to the wider community that this event mattered – and that’s had a lasting impact.”
— Keith Emmett III, Director
Last year, we were able to introduce the Welfare Zone – a safeguarded, quiet space offering calm, support, and first aid to anyone needing a break or feeling overwhelmed during the festival. Staffed by a trained professional team, it reflects how the partnership helps us respond to the real, human needs of our community.
Now in its sixth consecutive year of support, MK Community Foundation continues to be a core partner in the festival’s journey. Long-term partnerships like this are deeply valued – they allow us to build on what’s working, explore new ideas, and strengthen the impact we have across the community.
With MK Community Foundation’s continued support, Milton Keynes Pride Festival is proud to grow alongside a partner that believes in lasting, visible change – helping to build a city where everyone has space to feel safe, seen, and celebrated.
© 2025 Milton Keynes Pride Festival CIC. Website donated and designed by Plexus Creatives