Community Support for the Sparkle Weekend 2024

Sparkle – The National Transgender Charity 

As an organisation, like so many we are facing financial difficulty this year.

After running the Sparkle Weekend as a free event for 19 years with sponsorship and donations, we are now faced with further struggles after our headline sponsorship has pulled out 7 weeks before the event leaving us £12,500 short of funds. 

The Sparkle Story

Sparkle formed to provide a safe space for those who were marginalised, misunderstood and required support. 19 years ago we didn’t have pronouns in use like we do now, we didn’t have the level of support services specifically dedicated to transgender and non-binary people. For many  Sparkle was the only safe place they could come and be understood and gain advice/support. Sparkle formed the Sparkle Weekend, a free to attend event, focused on wellbeing and safety, uniting the community in an uplifting atmosphere. As the Weekend grew in attendance, the need for it also grew. We realised as a charity that the Sparkle Weekend for many is the only trans/non-binary joy some feel during their journey, how people often feel unsafe and unwelcome outside of the Weekend, for them this is a life line. 

The Impact of Sparkle 

The Sparkle Weekend has many impacts, from bringing business into Manchester’s Gay Village to supporting local queer art over the Weekend. However, the Largest impact we have is on the community itself. We provide a Family & Youth Zone during the Weekend; this area gives young people who are discovering their journey a safe, welcoming and educational space to explore what their gender means to them, whilst also protecting them. The Family & Youth Zone gives families the opportunity to explore the Weekend with support and activities, providing a positive experience and in some cases helping to normalise their family unit by speaking with other families who may be going through the same journey as them.

As mentioned, the Weekend has been a free event for 19 years and as a charity we pride ourselves on being able to have provided this. Due to the timing of our sponsor dropping funding, we are reaching out desperately to be able to continue as a free event. Many transgender people struggle to find employment and often have to give up their employment during transition, We find they save all year just to be able to afford the transport for the event, to then ask them to pay an additional expense on top of what has already been a struggle is something as a charity we have strived to avoid. For many, this free event is the one chance they have to be out openly in a safe environment, we have all heard the stories and seen the statistics on trans/non-binary related violence. Help us keep our safe space free and accessible. 

How can you save the Sparkle Weekend?

As mentioned, we are £12,500 down. Every penny and pound counts towards this Sparkle Weekend going ahead. If you can donate please do, and if you can share our fundraiser to gain further support please do. 

Your donation will be part of keeping a community thriving. As a personal note, to see a fundraiser like this be supported and reach its fundraising goal will also show our community that we are supported and loved.

Thank you