Kicking off pride month with purpose

The London FRP team has launched Pride Month with great enthusiasm, rallying behind our Pride charity partner, Switchboard, to bring awareness and support to the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. 

Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line, offering a non-judgmental space for anyone, anywhere in the country, at any point in their journey. Their volunteers, who all identify as LGBTQIA+, provide a compassionate ear and help individuals navigate issues related to sexuality and gender identity. The support line is free and available via phone, chat, or email from 10am to 10pm every day. Switchboard estimate to have provided support and information to more than 4 million people since their service began in 1974. Today, their volunteers handle around 15,000 conversations every year.

The power of listening

Inspired by their Pride 2025 campaign, ‘Every Conversation Counts’, we set out to highlight the profound impact of truly listening. We launched our celebrations last week with an engaging Lunch and Learn session, led by the wonderful Bob Hughes, Partnerships Manager at Switchboard. Bob guided us through Switchboard's remarkable 50-year history, highlighting the evolution of their support for the LGBTQIA+ community. He shared insights from their recent 'Listen Up! Report,' which delves into the 14,000 conversations they had in 2024 and shines a light on the simple yet profound act of listening. One striking statistic Bob mentioned was the 1700% increase in conversations about transphobia following the Supreme Court ruling in April. This staggering figure underscores the importance of celebrating Pride and supporting safe spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community can access a supportive community. 

Taking action: fundraising with pride

This week, we hosted our inaugural charity comedy night, inviting clients, contacts and friends of the firm to celebrate pride with purpose, as we raised money for Switchboard. Compered by Ciara O’Connor and featuring hilarious performances from Jen Nolan, Tal Davies, and Kemah Bob, the evening was filled with laughter and joy. Our competitive and lively live auction added an extra layer of excitement, and we successfully raised almost £2,000 for Switchboard, making the night even more special.

Collaborating with Switchboard and witnessing the FRP team and our community come together for our Pride with Purpose events has been really heart warming. These events remind us that we are stronger and more resilient when we stand together. Switchboard capture the importance of making every conversation count, ‘Whether you're reaching out, spreading the word, or listening deeply to someone else, you're making a difference’. 

Building an inclusive future together

These events are part of the firm’s commitment to ongoing growth and learning, encouraging conversations about how we can continue to foster a more diverse and inclusive work environment that provides a sense of community and support for all. Many thanks to those who have donated to Switchboard so far and contributed to making these events a success.

Personally, seeing the genuine connections and support within our community during these events has been inspiring and I have valued the opportunity to collaborate with my colleagues to support Pride month and our charity Pride partner, Switchboard. These moments remind us that when we listen, support, and take action, we create a more inclusive world.