Spotlight on Proud Futures
In our latest member spotlight, we’re happy to be joined by Ellis Beardsmore (they/them), Co-Chief Executive at Proud Futures.
What does your social enterprise do?
At Proud Futures, our vision is a world that no longer excludes or discriminates against LGBTQ+ people, allowing us to feel confident and empowered to be ourselves and thrive in our communities. Our mission is we inspire and partner with individuals, organisations and government bodies to create spaces that aren’t structured by discrimination, promoting the safety and confidence of LGBTQ+ people through thought leadership and personalised services.
How do you do it?
We do this in three ways.
First, is through our learning and consultancy work. We work with organisations to reduce discrimination for the LGBTQ+ community in their services, for their employees and their staff teams. We do this through one hour training sessions, three hour training sessions and consultancy programmes.
The second area of Proud Futures is our leadership work, where we support the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders. We have a six-month leadership programme and run monthly LGBTQ+ networking events in Glasgow. Alongside this, we have a leadership conference, ‘Leading with Pride’, creating change in challenging times on the 13th of November.
All areas of our work have a social impact, but the biggest part is through our Proud Futures Wellbeing work, which is where we run outdoor wellbeing sessions for the LGBTQ+ community in Glasgow, including a free, family friendly outdoor Pride festival.
Why should someone buy/use your product/services? What are the benefits and what makes your organisation unique?
Organisations should work with us because we are experts in LGBTQ+ inclusion. We are based on lived experience, but also 40 years between me and Lou’s experience in the sector in terms of training and inclusion for LGBTQ+ folks in social enterprises. You should come and join our leadership programmes, because it’s an incredible opportunity to build your leadership skills in a supportive environment that fully understands who you are.
What is your personal motivation?
My motivation is having experienced significant discrimination in the workplace and poor wellbeing over the years. It feels so important to work, run and lead an organisation that is about creating workspaces and environments that are safer for LGBTQ+ people, and supporting their wellbeing.
What is the current focus for your social enterprise?
The current context for LGBTQ+ people is really challenging so we’re working on how to respond to that with our LGBTQ+ inclusion training and support for LGBTQ+ folks with their wellbeing and leadership. We’re also in year three of Proud Futures, so there’s lots of work in rebranding, and setting us up as an organisation for the next few years.
What exciting things do you have coming up?
We’re really excited about Leading with Pride, our LGBTQ+ changemaker conference on the 13th of November. You can get tickets here.
Who do you want to work with more?
We would love to work more closely with a wide range of organisations that are truly committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion at these challenging times. It’s been really hard for the community, and so we want to work with organisations that are really committed to social justice and inclusion and being bold.
What’s your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge at the beginning of the year, with the combination of difficult economic times and a political climate less receptive to diversity and inclusion training, has been to evolve our business to focus on leadership work. We’re also like most social enterprises, constantly following our cash flow and ensuring that we’re sustainable.
Where do you see your organisation in 5 years?
In five years time, we want to be known as the leading provider of LGBTQ+ inclusion and leadership work in Scotland, and also across the UK.
What top tips would you give to other social enterprises?
Take time to find your values and stay close to them, and know that your own lived experience has real value. Be flexible and prepared to pivot even when things feel tough. Make sure that you look after your own wellbeing. If you’re not well, then you won’t be able to support the people that you want to.
For more information about Proud Futures, please visit their website and make sure to follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Want to read more Member Spotlights? Visit our blog. If you’d like to be featured, please email membership@socialenterprise.scot.