COLLEAGUES from across the VetPartners family in South Wales joined together to celebrate Pride Cymru – Cardiff’s annual festival in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Our South Wales practices wanted to take part in an event together and hatched the idea of taking part in Pride Cyrmu as a way of showing how VetPartners is an inclusive and diverse group of practices.
Forty team members from Abbey Vets, Valley Vets, Maes Glas Vets, Park Vets and St Davids Vets who are based in South Wales, joined forces for the first time to take part in the vibrant Pride parade around Cardiff city centre on Saturday.
With their brightly coloured t-shirts, rainbow face paint and Pride flags, colleagues had great fun joining in the celebrations which concluded with musical acts and market stalls within Cardiff Castle.
Abbey Vets practice manager Nikki Morrison, organised VetPartners participation in the event.
Nikki said: “I attend Pride every year and know LGBTQ+ rights is something that many colleagues are passionate about. I brought up the idea to Abbey Vets Business Development Director, Christina Collins, about getting lots of other practices across VetPartners involved as I thought it would be a great way for us to show our collective support across the group as well as an opportunity to network with colleagues from other practices.
“I’m queer myself and I know how important visibility is. We wanted to show that we stand united across our practices for the LGBTQ+ community and show that our practices are a safe place to work, where you can be who you are without being afraid of judgement.
“We had an incredible time at Pride and we’re already planning on attending again together next year, with hopefully even more colleagues attending.”
Chris Butler, hospital director at Valley Vets, joined the parade.
He said: “It was lovely to see so many colleagues from across our practices in Wales get together to celebrate the diversity of our teams. I’m a true believer that if you can be your true self in the workplace you will thrive.
“We had lots of fun participating in the parade and it was a great feeling coming together to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community in Wales.
“VetPartners is committed to nurturing diverse and inclusive workplaces, where colleagues can be themselves and work without fear of prejudice or discrimination.”
Pride Cymru is one of the many events colleagues across the business are taking part in this year to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community.
Colleagues from VetPartners central support team at its headquarters took part in York Pride.
Article written by Rachel Neill, PR & Communications Executive. Email rachel.neill@vetpartners.co.uk