SWINDON and Wiltshire Pride is seeking volunteers to help celebrate the diversity within the town.

A wide range of on-going positions exist - from planning the parade, to social media manager and chairperson - and the organisation is turning to the community to fill the roles and help make Pride happen this summer.

Volunteers are needed to help run the charity and for the colourful summer festival which returns to the Town Gardens this year on August 13.

Community engagement officer Phoenix Stewart said, “As well as staging an annual festival, we host fundraising events throughout the year, raise awareness and provide support for the LGBTQ+ community, and volunteers play a vital role.

"We are always in need of caring, dedicated supporters of Swindon and Wiltshire Pride who want to make a difference. We have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline, so now is the perfect time to get involved!

"With January traditionally a time to look to the future and try something new, joining the committee is a unique opportunity to develop personally, professionally and to have a big impact on the people of Swindon and Wiltshire."

Leo Swift, merchandise manager, said “It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to my local community. I’ve been going to Pride every summer for years, so I decided it was time to see if I could help; to be part of this fabulous event now is very special. You’ll gain new skills and make friends for life; there really are roles for everyone.”

Volunteers are not required to have previous training, and anyone can volunteer; Swindon and Wiltshire Pride is committed to equal opportunity, as well as encouraging people from marginalised and minority backgrounds to apply so that they can ensure better representation of all groups of people.

For more information, visit www.swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk/joinpride