This summer, London neighbourhoods Paddington Central, Broadgate and Regent’s Place have come together to celebrate Pride season as part of their ongoing commitment to supporting the LGBT+ community, inclusion and diversity. Ahead of Black Pride from 2nd-4th July, the campuses have unveiled striking rainbow installations which will take centre stage across the warmer months alongside contactless donation boxes where visitors can tap to donate to LGBT+ youth charity, Just Like Us.

Paddington Central’s grand amphitheatre steps have been transformed into a brightly coloured rainbow featuring words promoting inclusivity such as ‘respect’ and ‘equality’. Broadgate’s premium retail destination, 100 Liverpool Street, also features bold rainbow stairs for shoppers and visitors to enjoy, whilst Regent’s Place Plaza showcases the spectrum via brightly coloured blocks for people to sit on in the sunshine. Those looking to support Pride season in a positive and open environment can experience these installations throughout the summer.

The neighbourhoods are also delighted to be partnering with Just Like Us, the LGBT+ charity for young people. Founded five years ago, Just Like Us works to empower young people to champion LGBT+ equality and to spread the message that being LGBT+ is something to be celebrated. Devastatingly, LGBT+ young people are more than twice as likely to be worrying daily about their mental health and one in four is currently experiencing daily tensions in the place they are living (Just Like Us, 2021). These experiences can have a life-long negative impact and teachers and peers are rarely

equipped with the information they need to support them. Almost half of secondary school pupils say they have had little to zero positive messaging about being LGBT+ in the last year (Just Like Us, 2021). Paddington Central, Broadgate and Regent’s Place are determined to raise awareness of these issues by supporting and raising funds for Just Like Us and the incredible work they do in London and across the UK. Additionally, as part of Broadgate’s ongoing support for Just Like Us, the charity has been given office space within the Broadgate campus free from rent and service charge.

Visitors have the opportunity to donate to Just Like Us through contactless donations via a Giving Box which will be located next to the rainbow installations.