Clients I am working with:
Project Support
Supporting the organisation with the delivery of LGBT+ support for young people.
This includes events for Allies and organisations working in the field of supporting young people as well as delivering youth provision within the area of Slough.
Admin Support
Supporting the finance and
project management teams
Get in touch if you need my support for your business or organisation.
I went to hear Lorna speak at The Every Little Thing Festival about mental health and the LGBTQIA+ community. It was such an important and heartfelt talk that really opened my eyes to experiences I hadn’t fully appreciated before. As an employee experience specialist focused on mental performance and wellbeing, the talk really opened my eyes to the real complexity of mental ill health and the catalysts that people experience. Lorna’s honesty and compassion created such a safe space for these conversations, and it reminded me how vital they are for understanding and connection. (15/10/25)
Victoria Canham – Employee Experience and Performance Specialist
Reference from Support U
“After two decades of dedicated service to the LGBTQ+ community, Lorna McArdle, the founder of Reading Pride and Support U, is stepping down. Lorna initiated Support U to address the lack of support services for the LGBTQ+ community in the South. Starting with a few volunteers and funding from Reading Council, the organisation grew to provide a helpline, counselling, befriending and support for those coming out and seeking social connections.
Throughout her 13-year tenure as founder, Lorna’s insight led to innovative projects, including the first-ever UK LGBT+ museum display in Reading in 2014. Despite initial scepticism, the success of the project inspired more local museums to adopt similar displays, demonstrating that LGBTQ+ history can be sensitively addressed in any environment.
In 2019, facing financial challenges, Support U, under Lorna’s leadership, transformed from having £47 in the bank to a thriving organisation with a £250k turnover. Lorna took on the role of CEO, steering the charity through the pandemic and providing crucial support to the community after a tragic incident in Forbury Gardens.
Lorna’s vision expanded Support U’s focus to address hidden issues like LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence. Her efforts resulted in increased awareness and support from various organisations and the NHS. With a robust foundation in place, Lorna leaves Support U confident in its connections, adaptable systems, and secured funding for the next few years, ensuring continued assistance for the LGBTQ+ community.
Her departure marks a transition for Support U, emphasising the need for specialised and expert support to address evolving challenges. Lorna’s legacy is one of resilience, progress, and a lasting impact on LGBTQ+ support services.
Nick Harborne, CEO for Refugee Support Group
I have known Lorna for many years. She stood up for the LGTBQ+ community when few others were. She founded Support U in Reading and ran it for 13 years. This is an amazing achievement. Support U is now well-placed to move forward and increase its support and advocacy programmes and helping people with increasingly complex challenges in today’s society. Lorna also started Reading Pride which has been a highlight of the Reading calendar for 21 years and is still going strong today. She remains a supportive friend and colleague. Her experience and dedication to the LGTBQ+ community is unquestionable and underpins her worth and value as a consultant in this field.
Just watch out if she promises to buy you lunch…
Maggie Buckley
I am writing as someone who has worked with and for Lorna over a number of years and also someone who has been, I hope, an ally in the LGBTQIA+ community over the years. I can’t recommend her highly enough when it comes to sensitivity, approach and deep lived experience, but also research based exceptional knowledge of her area of expertise. If your organisation needs to up its game in helping the people who work in it feel they can be whole in the workplace Lorna should be your first and last thought. Please don’t forget that people who feel good about themselves perform better – this is based on research – so this isn’t only about complying with the law it’s good business sense.