Our Team
Lou Beardsmore, Co-Founder
she/her
Lou is the co-founder of Pride Outside and an active part of the LGBTQ+ community in Scotland, inspired by her own lived experiences and her volunteering in LGBTQ+ communities.
Lou has worked in the third sector for over 20 years, both in the UK and internationally and in that time, she has worked with over 100 organisations including Red Cross and Oxfam. Lou now works full time for Pride Outside specialising in LGBTQ+ diversity, equality and inclusion training and delivering wellbeing sessions to LGBTQ+ groups and networks.
​
To look after her wellbeing, Lou loves adventures in nature and is also an accredited wellbeing coach and outdoor facilitator. She uses these skills to deliver LGBTQ+ wellbeing sessions as part of Pride Outside’s Wellbeing Programme in nature.
Proudest moment: "Our first ever Pride Outside Wellbeing Festival - over 250 LGBTQ+ people came along to the most beautiful woodlands in Glasgow and it was just the most incredible day!"
Ellis Beardsmore, Co-Founder
they/them
Ellis identifies as trans and non-binary and is a founding member of the LGBT Funding Circle which provides support to LGBTQ+ youth activists around the world.
Ellis was previously a CEO in an educational charity in Scotland and they have always been passionate about learning with over 20 years experience in the UK and internationally. They lived and worked in Sudan and Pakistan on youth and education programmes with the Department for International Development. Ellis is also a trainee psychotherapist working with the trans community in Glasgow and volunteers regularly within the LGBTQ+ community.
Ellis spent most of their childhood outdoors, walking, cycling or running Guide camps so nature has always been an important part of their wellbeing so they love bringing that passion to Pride Outside’s wellbeing programmes.
Proudest moment: I cycled around the west coast of Scotland for 6 weeks, it was a huge personal challenge and I felt so proud of myself as it was an incredible experience.
Ru she/they
Although I’ve just had my 15th birthday (which is old in campervan years) I am still a much loved part of the Pride Outside team. I have successfully taken the team all over the UK to deliver their training and wellbeing programmes and I can also be parked up by a Scottish loch and double as a travelling work space when needed.
I was named after the inspirational Ru Paul of the Drag Race TV show, and although not I’m not quite as glamorous as the drag queen, I do try and aspire to be an LGBTQ+ trailblazer like Ru herself!
Proudest moment: "Despite my age, I was able to be packed full of equipment and drink for Ellis and Lou’s wedding and then provided the honeymoon accommodation for the happy couple as they toured Scotland post-wedding."
Our Board
Emma she/her
Emma is a theatre artist and trainer specialising in inclusion work with children and young people. She has worked across the UK with theatres and charities on projects that support young people from LGBTQIA+ and other marginalised communities to engage in meaningful artist experiences. She current works for Youth Theatre Arts Scotland as the Sector Development Manager where she provide training and consultation for theatres and voluntary arts organisations across the UK. She is also at the start of a new career journey and training to become a psychotherapist.
Proudest moment: Having grown up as an asthmatic artistic kid, my proudest moment was completing my first half marathon last year.
Amy she/her
Reader, board-gamer and Lego enthusiast who never met a spreadsheet formula she didn’t like (except VLookup. VLookup can take a seat, please).
Amy began her career in marketing and recruitment, before getting her masters in urban planning and real estate development. After graduating and working for a time in sales and account management, and a brief hiatus into being a podcast host, she ended up qualifying as an accountant and working in finance for startups. How did this happen when her life goal was always to become a set designer? She still has no idea.
​
Proudest moment: I try to do something regularly that makes me proud. To me pride isn’t something reserved for big occasions, but something to be celebrated all the time. Today, I felt proud building a bookshelf by myself for all my beloved books.
David he/him
David is a coach, facilitator, and trainee psychotherapist committed to supporting people to truly flourish together. David has 20 years of experience supporting change-makers of all ages - nurturing imaginations, building networks, and mediating conflicts in many countries and communities. Passionate about nature and inclusivity, he is excited to learn with and from Pride Outside and the LGBTQ+ people they serve.
​
Proudest moment: running some of the UK's Spine Race on the Pennine Way with chronic illnesses and a 1-year-old son in tow!
Ceysa she/her
Ceysa's work is all about supporting people from under-served and under-represented communities in a variety of settings, from individual founders, third sector organisations, all the way to corporate employees. Her first encounter with Pride Outside was the 2024 LGBTQ+ Community Leadership Gathering, and she hasn't looked back since. She’s excited to share her experience as a founder and board member, and to learn from the rest of Pride Outside’s board – there’s always more to learn!
​
Proudest moment: In 2020 lockdown I did a crazy thing and started an online LGBTQ+ bookclub – in 2025 the club is still going strong, with 900+ members.
Cecilia they/them
Cecilia is the founder of Studio Lutalica, a non-profit agency championing intersectional feminism and LGBTQ+ rights through graphic design and development. Under their creative direction, the studio has led projects across four continents, empowering under-served communities with creative solutions. Their work is rooted in lived experience, fostering collaboration and inclusivity in every project.
​
Proudest moment: Winning the Creative of the Year category in the Great British Businesswoman Awards as a non-binary person ;)
Adrian he/him
Adrian works as a statistician and loves engaging with voluntary work in the third sector. He first got involved with Pride Outside as a volunteer for the 2024 Wellbeing Festival, having previously worked towards LGBTQ+ inclusion for 1.5 years as a leading committee member of his university’s LGBTQ+ society. He is excited to drive Pride Outside’s vision forward as a board member.
​
Proudest moment: After spending two years or so too nervous to go out on my bike, I've become a very confident cyclist in Glasgow traffic!
Volunteers
We have a group of over 40 fantastic volunteers who work with us regularly to support our free Pride Outside Wellbeing programme of nature connection events in local woodlands. There is also a Volunteer Committee who manage our annual Pride Outside Festival which attracts over 500 people each year and is full of free wellbeing sessions, entertainment and community stalls.
Most of our volunteers are from the LGBTQ+ community so volunteering it is a great opportunity to meet new friends in safe, sober space in local nature.
Please get in touch if you would like to get involved!
