About Us
KENRIC was founded in 1965 by lesbians in the Kensington and Richmond areas of London. We are now the UK's longest-running lesbian social group. We organised a variety of social events aimed at providing opportunities for lesbians to meet, socialise and just be themselves, and we have continued these from then until now.
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We are a not-for-profit group, run on behalf of our members by an annually-elected volunteer Management Committee, assisted by a wider team of volunteers. We're funded from our membership subscriptions and a small amount of surplus generated by our larger, "Purple Ribbon" events.
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KENRIC is an organisation for women and trans-women who identify as lesbian.
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Most of our members are aged 40 and over and are all women who identify as lesbian. Some are in couples, but many are single. Some are coming out for the first time, others are looking to expand their social circle. Some women are searching for new friends to socialise and have fun with. Others prefer to simply connect via our newsletter or our Contact Ads service.
Our History
We're proud of our rich heritage, which is reflected in our archives, currently stored at London Archives.
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In the 1960s, a time when it was almost impossible for lesbians to connect with each other, KENRIC provided a lifeline to isolated women. From small beginnings in London, a network of local groups spread throughout the country, offering safe and welcoming spaces in which members can socialise, with London remaining a hub for larger scale events. Throughout the decades, the KENRIC newsletter has also played an important part in connecting members.
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KENRIC has always been a social organisation run by volunteers, including an elected Management Committee. The organisation has naturally evolved over the years, becoming more focused on activities in London and South East England, as other local groups across the country began to be organised. As part of our 50th anniversary in 2020, we began an exercise to ensure that the group was sustainable for the future while respecting our core values and heritage. The result was a clear identification of what remains unique and special about KENRIC, and we have encapsulated it in the organisation's vision and mission statements.
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In 2025 we celebrate our 60th anniversary!
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Today's KENRIC is connected online as well as face-to-face, with a Facebook Group and regular online activities. Our "Purple Ribbon" events, including a weekend in Eastbourne and discos in London, attract large numbers. Our focus remains giving lesbians opportunities to meet and have fun together.
Our Policies
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KENRIC is governed by a number of policies, which include our legal requirements as well as our commitments to the origanisation and to those, members and non-members, whom we serve.
These can be found on our Policies page.
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Our Constitution.
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Management Committee
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​KENRIC is run by a Management Committee made up of volunteers from the membership. You can contact them via info@kenriclesbians.org.uk
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