Steering committee
Rosie Besnu - Co-Chair - She/ her / They /Them
Karol Augustyn - Co-chair & Co-lead for Social Media and Marketing - He/Him
Karol Augustyn - Co-chair & Co-lead for Social Media and Marketing - He/Him
Rosie is the Co-chair of Pride in Luton.
She was first elected in September 2023.
She leads on our social activities and volunteering.
Karol Augustyn - Co-chair & Co-lead for Social Media and Marketing - He/Him
Karol Augustyn - Co-chair & Co-lead for Social Media and Marketing - He/Him
Karol Augustyn - Co-chair & Co-lead for Social Media and Marketing - He/Him
Karol is the Co-chair and leads the Pride in Luton's marketing and social media work, alongside Katie and will be developing a more inclusive online presence for Pride in Luton, having taken over the responsibilities in October 2024.
K also leads the work around the Denny Review and working with Healthwatch Luton to improve health provision for the LGBTIQ+ community across BLMK.
Elle Holdstock - Trans+ lead - She/her
Karol Augustyn - Co-chair & Co-lead for Social Media and Marketing - He/Him
Elle is the Trans+ community lead for Pride in Luton. She leads the Trans+ admin group as well as supporting on work around the Pride Festival and activities run by Pride in Luton.
Elle was born in Luton and has lived in the area her whole life. Between working at an LGBTQ+ nightclub, taking care of two small children and running her own business,
Elle is looking forwards to putting her organisational and planning skills to good use while being a positive role model for transgender youth growing up in the are
Natalie Ryan - Carnival Lead - She/Her
Natalie is currently the carnival lead for Pride in Luton.
She also sits on the Pride festival and entertainment working groups.
Nat is also a trustee of Pride in Luton, joining the board in October 2024.
Kelsie Holdstock - committee member - She/ Her
Kelsie is one of the founders of Pride in Luton. She was first elected in 2022 as co-chair. Kelsie works for Luton Sexual Health in outreach.
Kelsie is passionate advocate for the rights of women, young people and the LGBTQ+ community. An activist who has spoken out at All Party Parliamentary Group meetings, on TV and Radio about issues such housing, mental health and inequality.
Kelsie is a youth and community worker and teacher with over 10 years experience working in charities, for the local authority and the NHS. She is experienced in organising events and engaging communities both in the U.K. and abroad. Kelsie currently works as Sexual Exploitation Outreach Lead at Luton Sexual Health.
Kelsie is a queer parent who aims to demonstrate that happy families come in all different shapes and sizes and should be celebrated accordingly. As co-chair of the Pride in Luton committee Kelsie hopes the event will not only bring Luton’s LGBTQ+ community together but be an opportunity for education, activism and awareness, as well as a fun celebration!
SARA WATERS - LEAD FOR SAFEGUARDING - SHE / HER
Sara got involved with Pride in Luton at the early stages to increase her understanding as a parent of a young person who identified as part of the LGBTIQ+ community.
Sara brings a wealth of knowledge as a registered social worker.
In her spare time Sara enjoys running and can often be found at Park Run on a Saturday morning.
MATTHEW COTTON - EDUCATION AND YOUTH LEAD - HE/THEY
Matthew leads the work around young people and education and is as a passionate champion of equality.
He is developing some work to support young people and also make education establishments more inclusive.
He is also the LGBTQ+ rep for the National Education Union Luton Branch.
We want your help!
We welcome members of the LGBTIQ+ community and allies to join our working groups to support the work of Pride in Luton.
Those on the working groups also make up the steering committee that help drive forward Pride in Luton. Get in touch with projects@prideinluton.org to find out more.
Trustees
Karol Augustyn -Trustee - He/Him
Rosie Besnu -Trustee - She/Her/They/Them
Rosie Besnu -Trustee - She/Her/They/Them
Karol known as K, is a proud father of twin boys and has been a Luton resident since 2009.
He is passionate about running, fitness, hiking, and LGBTQ+ rights, he advocates for creating safe spaces and fostering inclusivity both within the community and in his professional life.
Having grown up in a household where embracing his identity was challenging, K has faced and overcome significant obstacles, including prejudice from family and strangers. This journey has only strengthened his commitment to supporting others on their paths to self-acceptance.
Professionally, K has a background in retail management and profit protection, where his leadership skills have flourished. Outside of work, he's an avid marathon runner and fitness enthusiast, finding strength and balance in these activities.
Currently, he is writing his first novel, which focuses on his personal experience of coming out as gay and overcoming the challenges that followed. K believes in giving back to the LGBTQ+ community that showed him love and acceptance, and he is committed to ensuring future generations have the same opportunities to feel seen and supported.
Karol was elected as a trustee in October 2024.
Rosie Besnu -Trustee - She/Her/They/Them
Rosie Besnu -Trustee - She/Her/They/Them
Rosie Besnu -Trustee - She/Her/They/Them
Rosie is a huge bundle of energy and heads up Pride in Luton volunteer’s team. She brings a warmth that immediately puts a smile on your face.
Rosie identifies as Pansexual and whilst she knew at 16 she was bi, it wasn’t till her 30’s she really knew she was Pan.
She comes from a large family, and has 7 siblings, 2 of which are gay, so 3 out of 8 of them are LGBTQ+. Having grown up in a supportive family she recognises the strength it can bring to a person.
She fully believe in her mantra of “Never underestimate the power of empowerment”, and this can come in many forms!! Pride being one of them.
Rosie is one of the registered trustees of Pride in Luton, being elected in October 2023.
Jesse Bryce - Trustee - He/Him
Rosie Besnu -Trustee - She/Her/They/Them
Matthew Cotton - trustee - He/They
Born in New Zealand, Jesse worked as a navigation officer on cruise ships before recently seeking stability and community here on land.
Having made lifelong friends while working with people from all over the world, learning about their cultures and customs, Jesse's favourite part of the job was seeing such a diverse workplace come together even in such a high pressure environment.
After trading the ship life for life on land, Jesse now calls Lewsey home and has joined Pride In Luton to help bring our LGBTQ+ community together as Operations Lead, making sure our events are 'ship shape'.
Jesse geeks out on green tech and gardening, both a sure-fire way to get him talking!
Jesse is one of the registered Trustees of Pride in Luton and founders of Pride in Luton. He became a trustee in March 2023.
Matthew Cotton - trustee - He/They
Matthew Cotton - trustee - He/They
Matthew Cotton - trustee - He/They
Matthew is a twenty-one year teaching veteran, has taught in Ohio, California, Georgia, and South Carolina as well as here in the United Kingdom. Additionally, he has served as an Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina Sumter. He is active as a composer and performer.
In addition to his teaching, he is active in the National Education Union and sits as the LGBT+ Officer for the Luton District.
Cotton graduated from the University of Georgia in 2000 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education, from Central Michigan University (2003) with a Masters of Music in Music Composition Performance, from Nova Southeastern University (2006) with an Educational Specialist in Brain Research, and from California State University - Los Angeles (2013) with a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership.
He currently is pursing studies in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to grow as an advocate for the LGBT+ community.
He was elected as a trustee in October 2024.
Natalie Ryan -Trustee - She/Her
Matthew Cotton - trustee - He/They
Natalie Ryan -Trustee - She/Her
Nat is a qualified person-centred counsellor who has training and experience of working with gender diverse clients.
She helps to lead the LGBTQ+ young persons group at the Luton Irish Forum.
She hopes to use her therapeutic qualifications and experience to enhance the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community.
Nat was elected as a trustee in October 2024.
We need you to Become a Trustee
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Trustees are legally responsible for the charity.
They help shape the strategic vision for the charity, oversee the financial wellbeing of the organisation and make sure the charity complies with legislation.
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You need to be:
- Over 18.
- and have not been previously disqualified as a trustee or company director, be an undischarged bankrupt or have certain unspent criminal convictions. Full information via the charity commission website.
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If you are interested in joining the trustee board, please contact the co-chairs on community@prideinluton.org for a conversation.
We are particularly keen for those with skills who have previously worked with charities in a voluntary or professional role.
We are also keen to make sure the board is as representative as it can be of Luton's community.