L&Q backs Union Manchester FC ahead of Manchester Pride

In a show of support for inclusivity and community spirit, L&Q’s staff diversity network, Spectrum, has proudly partnered with Union Manchester football team as their charity of the year.

This collaboration is already making waves, enabling the club to secure new kits that members can wear with pride at upcoming tournaments.

Union Manchester, co-founded and run by Michael Leversha (they/them), was established to address the lack of friendly and accessible inclusive football in the city.

The club’s mission is to create a warm, welcoming, and friendly space where individuals traditionally excluded from mainstream football can feel valued and thrive. With a commitment to financial inclusivity, the club ensures that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay, reinforcing its core values of inclusion and intersectionality.

Spectrum’s support has been instrumental in helping Union Manchester overcome financial barriers, providing the necessary equipment and kit to elevate the club’s presence in the community.

Michael Leversha, Club Founder said: “The sponsorship from Spectrum at L&Q has allowed us to provide shirts to 58 members of the club. We already had a strong sense of identity and community, but now we can wear the Union badge on our chest with pride. Having a kit unites us further, and it’s also completely gorgeous!”

Spectrum, which is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where LGBTQIA+ staff can thrive, found a perfect match in United Manchester’s ethos. The network is dedicated to ensuring that LGBTQIA+ identities are respected and represented within L&Q and beyond.

Salihah Dudha, Spectrum’s Vice-Chair, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “It’s great to give back to the local community like this. Union Manchester FC works hard to create an inclusive, safe space for everyone to enjoy football. I’ve witnessed the team’s positive impact, and I know that funding for better equipment and participation in bigger competitions will only strengthen their unity.”

Alyson Heald, Spectrum’s Vice-Chair continued: “Spectrum chose Union Manchester FC as its Charity of the Year because their dedication to amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices chimes with our vision of a workplace where everyone can be their true selves.

Their success lies in a community driven approach. By connecting with non-football groups and creating a network for those without access to mainstream football, the club has become one of the most gender-inclusive teams in the UK. This partnership exemplifies how organisations can collaborate to create positive change, fostering environments where everyone can grow and thrive together.”

As part of Pride Month celebrations, Spectrum hosted its annual conference, focusing on the theme of intersectionality within the community. Michael from Union Manchester FC gave an inspiring talk on how to create an intersectional space, emphasising the importance of centring diverse experiences and addressing the challenges faced by other minority groups.

For more information about Union Manchester FC, please visit Union Manchester