Trade Centre Wales Champions Inclusion and Education During LGBTQ+ History Month

Tuesday 17th March 2026

Trade Centre Wales is proud to highlight the powerful and meaningful work delivered through its Community Engagement Programme as part of LGBTQ+ History Month. Throughout February, Trade Centre Wales have been actively raising awareness, educating communities, and celebrating inclusion across South Wales and beyond.

Trade Centre Wales Brand Ambassador, Gareth Thomas, has been leading the initiative by visiting schools and police forces, sharing his personal story and promoting understanding around LGBTQ+ history and equality.

A former Welsh rugby international and one of the first elite sportsmen to come out publicly, Gareth has been speaking candidly about his own experiences — inspiring audiences while educating them on the importance of acceptance, respect, and visibility.

Engaging Schools Across South Wales

As part of the programme, Gareth delivered sessions tailored to different age groups:

· Key Stage 2 pupils explored the differences between sexuality and identity within classroom discussions.

· In playground sessions, pupils learned about the significance of the rainbow flag — why it was created, what it represents, and why it remains such a powerful symbol of diversity and unity.

· Key Stage 1 pupils engaged through storytelling, including age-appropriate stories featuring families with two mums and two dads, helping normalise diversity from an early age.

Students also took part in creative activities, including designing their own rainbow laces — an initiative that proved particularly popular. In many schools, images and learning materials from the sessions were displayed in staff rooms to serve as a lasting reminder of the conversations started during LGBTQ+ History Month.

Reflecting on his visits, Gareth said:

“For me, sharing my story is about showing young people that being different is something to be proud of. If even one student feels more confident, more accepted, or more understood because of these conversations, then it’s worth it. Education breaks down fear — and once we understand each other, we build stronger communities.”

Working with Police Forces

Beyond schools, Gareth recently engaged with South Wales Police and Gwent Police discussing both his personal journey and the wider work Trade Centre Wales delivers through its Community Engagement Programme.

Sessions also explored the historical context of LGBTQ+ rights, including education around the abolishment of Section 28 and its lasting impact. Officers from across Scotland and Ireland joined via video link, reflecting the growing interest in collaborative learning and inclusive policing practices.

Police representatives were keen to hear Gareth’s story first-hand, recognising the importance of lived experience in shaping understanding and improving community relationships.

A Continued Commitment to Community

Trade Centre Wales Founder and Director, Mark Bailey, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to driving positive change:

“At Trade Centre Wales, we believe businesses have a responsibility beyond the workplace. Our Community Engagement Programme is about making a real difference — supporting education, promoting inclusion, and standing proudly with the LGBTQ+ community. Gareth’s courage and honesty help open doors to important conversations, and we are incredibly proud of the impact this work is having across Wales and beyond.”

Through initiatives like these, Trade Centre Wales continues to demonstrate that corporate responsibility is about action, not just words. By investing in education, awareness, and meaningful dialogue, the organisation remains committed to building stronger, more inclusive communities