Milton Keynes, 11 September 2023: Volkswagen Group UK and its employees celebrated a colourful and vibrant day of diversity, equity and inclusion on Saturday 9 September through the company’s third successive involvement with the Milton Keynes Pride Festival.
The annual free-to-attend event took place on one of the hottest days of the year so far, drawing large crowds who basked not only in the late-summer sun but also in the festival’s warm and welcoming atmosphere. Milton Keynes Pride is a truly inclusive event for everyone, providing support, advice and, as expected from any festival, lots of fun for all ages.
The festival benefits the local community through providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ people. It also contributes to local projects ranging from educational development programmes to youth groups and Q:Alliance, a local LGBTQ+ charity.
Despite the soaring temperatures, numerous employees from Milton Keynes-based Volkswagen Group UK (which comprises Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, ŠKODA, SEAT, CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), maintained their enthusiasm for welcoming festival-goers to the company’s stand throughout the day. The eye-catching gazebo proved a popular destination from start to finish as visitors snapped up rainbow-coloured Volkswagen stickers, took part in a free lucky dip, and posed next to the world-famous, rainbow-liveried Tiny Buzz, as seen at last year’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 tournament.
Activities within the festival grounds at Campbell Park were bolstered by an unmissable display of three Volkswagen Group vehicles from outside the main entrance of fellow Festival-supporter Hotel La Tour, which is in a prime location on the main walking route to the event. These comprised the CUPRA Born ‘Love is Love’; the ŠKODA Enyaq Respectline and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ ID. Buzz Cargo Glamper Van. Thanks to their kaleidoscopic clothing, the EV trio attracted plenty of attention and selfies from dawn to dusk.
The festival, above all, is about people. And, as usual, it gave employees a platform to connect with people from across the Milton Keynes area and demonstrate what a friendly and inclusive workplace Volkswagen Group UK is, a place where everyone can feel and be their authentic self.
Volkswagen Group’s festival sponsorship and participation was once again driven by the company’s We Drive Proud UK Employee Network Group (ENG), which represents LGBTQ+ employees and their ‘ally’ colleagues.
The group is one of five ENGs, the others being We Are Driven Women, We Live Cultural Diversity, We Enable and We Are Parents and Carers. All are thriving within the business, and are a key part of the Group’s extensive diversity, equity and inclusion programme.
Penny Weatherup, People Director at Volkswagen Group UK, joined Mike Orford, Head of PR and Communications at Volkswagen UK, on the stage of the festival’s Community Tent, forming part of a busy programme of speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. They took the opportunity to highlight the ways in which organisations like Volkswagen Group can contribute towards employee wellbeing and good mental health by creating a truly welcoming and inclusive culture.
Alex Smith, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group UK, who also joined the team at the festival on Saturday, said: “I am really pleased that Volkswagen Group UK has once again sponsored Milton Keynes Pride Festival. Celebrations like this encapsulate what inclusion is about: a free-to-attend event that welcomes everyone with open arms. Being part of the local community means being proud to be part of every community.
“Our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion has resulted in a growing range of initiatives, events and policy enhancements throughout the organisation. And supporting Milton Keynes’ annual celebration and recognition of the LGBTQ+ community is a particular highlight.”
