Experience

Welfare Scotland

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director and Guarantor

  • Aug 2017 - Present



The Scottish Parliament

• United Kingdom
• Legislative Offices
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Cross Party Group on End of Life Choices at the Scottish Parliament

  • 2017 - Present

• Cross Party Group on Chronic Pain at the Scottish Parliament

  • 2017 - Present



Equality Council

• Council Member (MEA)

  • Oct 2009 - Present

  Chairperson of the Safety, Ethics and Discipline CommitteeMember of the Working Group on Disability and Accessibility



NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

• United Kingdom
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• PFF Executive Member

  • Jan 2014 - Present



The Huffington Post

• Blogger

  • 2013 - Present

  Regular contributor to Huffington Post



The Horses Mouth

• Online Mentor

  • Aug 2010 - Present

  Provided support and guidance to young people on a range of issues including relationship concerns, health concerns, guidance on setting up a business, guidance on how to raise gender and gender identity concerns with parents and peers and tips on CV's and how to gain employment. Providing crisis mentoring to those needing someone to talk to following a traumatic incident.



Safer Communities Partnership (Policing)

• Committee Member for Equality

  • Jul 2008 - Present

  Working with Strathclyde Police and a range of equality charities to promote community cohesion.



The Scottish Government

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Core Group 2 Member, SSS Measurement Framework, Social Security Scotland

  • Jun 2018 - Present

  Member of Second Core Group developing the measurement and monitoring framework for Social Security Scotland charter.Worked with the Scottish Government in 2018 to help design the charter for the new agency Social Security Scotland.



mySociety

• United Kingdom
• Civic and Social Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Volunteer

  • Jul 2017 - Jan 2020

  whatdotheyknow.com



Scottish Welfare Support and Advice Network

• Director

  • Dec 2013 - Dec 2016

  The Scottish Welfare Support and Advice Network (SWSAN) is a not for profit organisation providing free, impartial advice, support and assistance to those living in Scotland experiencing hardship in its many forms.



LGBT Network

• Chairperson

  • Mar 2007 - 2016

  As the Chairperson of the LGBT Network I am responsible for management and stewardship of the charity. The most senior trustee I am responsible for safeguarding the reputation of the charity while working to ensure the charity meets its aims and objectives. I undertake press interviews and create press releases to highlight the work of the charity and it's partners. We work closely with the Scottish Government and I create policy and policy guidance documents for LGBT equality through Europe.



Consumer Futures

• United Kingdom
• Public Policy Offices
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Consumer Network Volunteer

  • Feb 2010 - Jul 2012

  Members of the Consumer Network are involved in consultations and working groups for a range of companies, organisations and Government agencies. As a volunteer member I was involved in reviewing changes to policies and charters by Government organisations.



Integrating Toryglen Communities

• Board Member

  • Feb 2009 - Dec 2010

  Worked to highlight the issues of refugees and asylum seekers in the Toryglen area of Glasgow. Attended AGM's, EGM's and other meetings to devise and implement the charities policies. Worked on the National Refugee Day project group. Represented the charity to external stakeholders and organised outreach project work. Interrogated financial information and records at each board meeting. Provided guidance on the competition of funding application forms. Assisted in the creation and implementation of diversity recruitment and volunteer policies. Assisted in the updating of the charities website.



Big Lottery Fund

• Grants Officer

  • Jan 2008 - Sep 2010

  - Assessing applications for funding from charities, community groups and not for profit organisations,- Reviewed grant spending for compliance and initiated clawback procedures when necessary,- Visited applicant groups to monitor grant spend and assess if outcomes have been met,- Attended capacity building conferences and meetings to communicate best practice,- Handed own caseload from application to grant closure,- Liaised with legal team to address legal issues arising and identify instances of fraud,- Created and updated guidance and policy sheets for applicants and peers,- Interviewed applicant groups and assisted groups to write strong applications for funding,- Attended committee meetings and presented recommendations on larger grants,- Wrote grant reports and recommendations for use by the committee, communications teams and the Scottish Government,- Worked to develop funding priorities and develop funding criteria, -Provided guidance and advice to applicant groups and external stakeholders on how to make strong funding applications, manage successful projects and meet the terms and conditions of their grants.



Health Thru Understanding

• Co-founder

  • Mar 2000 - Jul 2010

  Created an online health peer-to-peer website for young people affected by parental depression. The free to access website allowed young people to come together to talk to each other about how their parents depression affects their life. The community grew to significantly over 2 years and in the end encompassed 50 medical conditions from GERD to IBS, Cancer to HIV. Self-funded the website from its inception and created and updated the website, chatroom, message board forum and picture gallery myself for 3 years. Managed a team of 12 moderators. The peer-to-peer support group became a lifeline for many thousand members who used the site on a daily basis to share tips, share stories and coping mechanisms, discuss medication and encourage each other to live a full a life as possible.



SIACC

• Member of the Board of Directors

  • Feb 2007 - May 2010

  - Attended board meetings, AGM's, EGM's and other associated meetings on a two monthly basis,- Visited our regional offices, attended meetings throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland and organised policy outreach events with the communications team,- Assisted in creation of policy workshops and presentations and delivery of equality and diversity training,- Interrogated the accounts and financial records to ensure the organisation was operation within the terms of the constitution and standing orders- Assisted in the writing and management of funding applications- Lead the HR committee. - Introduced and managed a shadow board for young members. - Delivered volunteering workshops to Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow University and the University of Strathclyde.



Partners in Advocacy

• Board Member

  • Jan 2008 - Jul 2009

  - Attended board meetings- Interrogated charity accounts- Assisted in the effective management of the charities affairs - Assisted in setting priorities and aims for charities work- Attended meetings with external stakeholders including ministers and the Scottish Government,- Acted as board liaison with sub committees