Our people

Allan Young

Allan is a Development Worker (Youth Work and Training/Y2Be). Allan began his youth work journey like many of Scotland’s Youth Worker’s – as a young person who moved onto volunteer with their youth group. Allan has volunteered with Fire Cadets since 2010 in a number of places across the UK and continues to lead the Dumbarton group. Allan comes to Youth Scotland having previously worked full-time in the Youth Work sector for the past 4 years where he has been involved in delivering youth clubs, detached youth work, 1-1 support and much more! In his spare time Allan enjoys running and fitness with a focus on building not only physical fitness but also mental resilience – something he hopes to bring to his role with the Y2Be project. Allan has also been labelled the eternal student by close friends for his love of studying and learning – you can ask him when you meet him!

Anna Thomas

Anna is our youth worker on the Inspire 2022 programme. She previously spent several years in our Awards Team helping youth workers, teachers and parents get the most out of our suite of youth awards. (She is still very impressed by all the cool things young people do as part of their awards!) Anna joined us from Girlguiding and can still be found volunteering in her local Guide unit, or off on an adventure with her friends.

Elo Acland

Elo joined the Youth Scotland team as CashBack Senior Development Worker in December 2021. Her background is in designing, managing and delivering youth programmes. Most recently she worked with a youth organisation in Glasgow, running a programme for asylum seekers and refugees. Prior to that she co-founded and ran a London based charity that uses the arts to support care leavers to build confidence, improve their wellbeing and expand their social network. Outside of work, Elo loves to travel, get out into nature, sample delicious food, and make a mess with paint!

Elspeth Spalding

A native Aussie with Irish heritage, Elspeth came to join Youth Scotland as the Senior Development Worker for Awards Growth in June 2022. She comes with over 15 years experience of working with children, young people and volunteers within education and third sector organisations. From her involvement in children’s choirs to music and dance festivals, workshops and running large-scale events, Elspeth has a passion for helping children and young people believe in themselves and their talents. When she has spare time, Elspeth loves making memories with her daughter, running events for her school’s parent council, exploring this beautiful world through travel, as well as trying to improve her piano and tap dancing skills!

Ewelina Rabeda

Ewelina is our Admin Co-ordinator and joined the Corporate Services Team during the pandemic. Like the rest of that team, she very quickly made herself indispensable and we wonder what we did without her! Ewelina works with most of the teams in Youth Scotland and is also often the first person people speak to when contacting Youth Scotland. In her spare time, Ewelina likes spending time with her family, especially enjoying a long walk.

George Cherrie

George is our Senior Awards Development Worker, and is lead on Youth Scotland’s range of youth awards. George has recently been instrumental in taking our new Hi5 Award through a successful pilot and exciting launch. Prior to joining the team in 2005, he delivered youth work programmes to young people deemed to be at risk of, or involved in, offending behaviour. Before making a career change in 2001, George was owner and managing director of an automotive business. When he’s not fielding the rest of the team’s car-related questions, George can be found raising chickens or rustling up a mean cocktail for staff parties.

Jennifer Caira

Jennifer is our Administrator and forms part of the Corporate Services team, providing administration support to all our development workers and the wider team. She has a mixed working background, spanning programme management and coordination at the British Council, membership coordination at social enterprise The House of St Barnabas in London, and marketing and social media. She is passionate about language, travelling, art therapy and above all reading – anything and everything, but she is currently trying to read the classics she found too boring to read at school!

Jess McCarthy

Jess is the new Admin Assistant for the Awards Team. With a background in Law, having recently graduated from the University of Limerick, she is from the wild west of Ireland. She’s only recently moved to Scotland and is still getting used to the Scottish accent but she is excited to be a part of Youth Scotland and all the work we do! Her favourite person on the team so far is Anna - Anna definitely did not tell her to say that…

Jillian Martin

Jillian joined Youth Scotland part-time in March 2022 as Administrator (Finance & Admin) bringing loads of experience from a career spanning over 30 years. After working and studying remotely for much of the pandemic, Jillian is usually based in the office on her working days, as she is happy to get out of the house and meet people face to face! She currently volunteers with a local food bank and with the Rock Trust as a mentor and community ambassador. She enjoys yoga, cycling, and exploring Scotland in her spare time and has recently started dressmaking classes – the joys of semi-retirement!

Joshua Juanatas

Joshua is our Development Worker (Youth Work and Training). He has been in the youth work sector since 2013. After leaving school he didn’t know what he wanted to do, but his passion for basketball led him to youth work. He started his own basketball group and coached with Glasgow City College. Joshua later went on to work with Carnival Entertainment USA on cruises as youth staff before returning to land and becoming a Youth Development Worker for Reidvale where he was committed to developing the group's sports offerings. After four years at Reidvale, Joshua joined Youth Scotland and is ready to learn and share his skills – sharing is caring!

Jo MacDonald

Jo has been working in the third sector for almost 20 years, initially running young people programmes for homeless organisations within Edinburgh. She moved to Youth Scotland in 2008 and has worked on various projects since including Girls on the Move, Bike Club, Network Development, Stand Up to Sectarianism, Young People Taking the Lead and Generation CashBack. Jo was appointed Head of Programmes and Business Development in October 2021. In her spare time Jo can be found out and about on her bike, up hills or messing about in the water. She is still adjusting to the Scottish climate...

Julie Hynd

Julie has worked for a Local Authority in the Youth Learning Service for 21years, where she supported a large team of staff to deliver youth work in schools, while promoting wider achievement through the Awards. She joined Youth Scotland in 2014 where she designed and developed new training opportunities to up-skill practitioners in all things Awards. Recently Julie has been supporting Achievement Generators to help raise attainment through Hi5 and DYA in local youth groups, while they work towards an accredited award.

Julie Middlemiss Brown

Julie is our other Julie and our Senior Development Worker (Training and Youth Work)! Her background is as a Manager of a Youth Project and After School Club for over 10 years, Health Improvement Practitioner (Sexual Health and Relationship) most recently for YouthBorders for 4 years and a regular Youth Scotland freelance trainer. A woman of many hats, Julie is also a Personal Trainer and Holistic Therapist! Julie is motivated by what ‘lights the fire in your bellies’ - what motivates you and how can she tap into that so to realise your full potential!

Karen McKinlay

Karen is our Finance Officer who has worked in the charity sector for the past 20 years. She enjoys keeping fit by cycling and running. Spending time with the family is also a priority when they decide to come home.

Kevin Turner

Kevin started out in the traditional print industry before spotting that digital looked like it might be worth a look. He’s since spent about 20 years working in various senior communication and marketing roles for digital agencies, household name blue chips and voluntary orgs. Joining Youth Scotland met a long-held goal to join the Third Sector and contribute to something bigger. He’s still routinely proud and staggered by the amazing work happening in Youth Scotland and the youth sector in general. When he’s not fretting about this website and Youth Scotland's comms, he’s usually working through an ever-growing list of DIY projects with his family or on the hills training for/running ultra marathons (to escape the DIY).

Kobi Cooke

Kobi has worked in education and youth work for the last 12 years, specialising in working with vulnerable groups of young people. Joining us from Mindroom in Edinburgh, Kobi has been focused on growing the Money for Life programme, bringing tailored, practical financial education to young people across Scotland. A big football fan, Kobi likes to muck in as a volunteer coach with his daughter’s local school team. He tells us he’s in the ‘tracksuit manager’ mould…

Laura Kemp

Laura is our Area Co-ordinator Forth Valley. Prior to joining the Youth Scotland team, Laura already worked in the youth work sector, where she delivered health and well-being training. She has also worked in youth clubs and as a detached youth worker, and has been a youth worker for over 5 years. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering at her local dog shelter, binge watching TV and eating lots of cake (preferably together).

Lauren Rae

Lauren joined Youth Scotland as a temp in Oct 2020 and we refused to let her leave. She was taken on as a member of staff from 1 April 2021. Before moving to West Lothian, Lauren worked as a contracts administrator, for 5 years in Glasgow, and prior to that worked in various other roles which were admin and finance based - back in her home town of Aberdeen. She is a mum to a 2 year old boy so when she does have some free time, she enjoys playing Xbox with friends, going to football matches and reading a good book – can’t beat a good crime thriller!

Lucy Parfitt

Lucy is our Digital Engagement Co-ordinator. A recent history graduate, she joined the communications team in January 2022. She has previously worked with the University of Edinburgh’s Prospective Student Web Content Team and has had a range of experiences in youth-centred organisations, such as Teach First, Restless Development and the Edinburgh University History Society. In her own time, she can be found reading about/listening to anything history related and singing in the local choir (or, failing that, the shower).

Mandy Paterson

Mandy started in youth work at her local youth group encouraging young women to participate in sport. She started with Youth Scotland as an admin assistant and has held many roles in her ever-changing journey with the organisation, eventually taking on the role of Operations Manager in 2004, where she is now responsible for all office administration, HR and IT. Mandy still finds giving young people opportunities through community based youth work the most rewarding part of her job. When she finally does leave the office, Mandy hits the gym, goes for long walks and is a keen cyclist. She’s believed to be the only person a Fitbit has ever told to do less activity.

Michele Meehan

As a member of the Senior Management Team, Michele Meehan supports work which changes the lives of the lives of young people in Scotland. She joined the Youth Scotland team in 2008, having had a variety of roles in the third and public sectors. When not championing community based youth work to anyone who will listen, Michele can be found trying to improve her baking skills or travelling the world.

Mike Strang

Naomi Macdonald

Naomi is our Senior Development Worker - Young Islanders Project, based in the beautiful Eilean Siar. Naomi brings over 12 years of experience, joining from Action for Children Eilean Siar, and having worked in Respite, Residential and for the majority in the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) funded service. She has also worked to expand the ADP funded services across the whole of the Western Isles and also managed the Weekend Outreach service. Beyond work, Naomi is a busy mum of an aspiring footballing daughter and Lego-mad son. She loves to travel and can often be found on mini adventures with her family.

Peter Johnson

Stewart Bell

Stewart is our Area Co-ordinator for the Ayrshire area.

Stuart Conquer

Stuart is part of our Generation CashBack team.

Awards Network- Jim Duffy

Jim has over 30 years professional and volunteer experience in senior management and consultancy roles in youth work, youth enterprise, SME and local community and economic development. He led the professional team of Scouts Scotland for almost 19 years as Chief Executive before taking on the development role with the Awards Network, hosted by Youth Scotland. Jim received a Lifetime Achievement Award and Fellowship of YouthLink Scotland in 2016. Jim is a keen traveller and has lived and worked across the UK, Europe and as far afield as Russia!

Bill Miller

Bill is Chair of PLUS Forth Valley and Vice Chair of Calendar Youth Project. He took early retirement from his post as Service Manager in Education Services in 2017, primarily to care for his elderly parents. He has been involved in youth work in many capacities for over 42 years, working in the voluntary sector, local authorities and the NHS. His specialisms include HIV/AIDS, sexual health, drug education and peer education. He has delivered training nationally and internationally. He is passionate about youth work and health promotion, believing their core values are at the heart of making this world a better place to live in. As a proud Scaussie (Scot/Australian), much of his personal time is spent researching family history and developing his DIY skills.

Dona Milne

Dona is the Director of Public Health in Fife. She has worked in children and young people’s health and education within local authorities, the voluntary sector, Scottish Government and the NHS. Dona is a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health. Her career has taken her to YWCA Scotland as Depute Director (Scotland) and for 7 years she led the ‘Healthy Respect’ National Demonstration Project. In 2008, Dona was seconded to Scottish Government and led the H1N1 vaccination campaign following a period in sexual health and HIV policy. She has worked as a Consultant in Public Health since 2010. Her main interests are reducing inequalities, particularly through work on social determinants, reproductive health, youth work and gender equality. She is chair of the Scottish Youth Work Research Group. In a voluntary capacity, she is a Trustee with Youth Scotland, Inspiring Scotland and the Edinburgh Family Planning Trust.

Judith Macdonald (Treasurer)

My appointment with Youth Scotland is by virtue of my work in the Third Sector over the last 25 years, working as Finance Manager in the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) – the largest voluntary sector provider of Adult Education in the UK. I am passionate about the need for education and lifelong learning. For me, education throughout life is vital to improving peoples’ chances, expectations and futures. Changing lives through education and training in the youth and adult sectors promotes equality of opportunity and social justice. Education has a huge impact on lifting children, young people and families out of poverty. The mission and work of Youth Scotland and the WEA are well aligned to these challenges and to the current funding environment. I believe in Youth Scotland’s aims to create well rounded individuals through education and leadership and to support the youth sector through best practice and guidance. In my personal life as a parent, I have been involved in youth work – helping at Scouts and Sunday School and being on parental committees eg as secretary of the James Gillespies’ Pipe Band and the Chair of the Edinburgh Mod committee.

Anne Gibson

Anne brings a wealth of experience with a professional background in education and community learning and development. She has worked in leadership roles across local government, the third sector, national government and the private sector. As an HM Inspector of Education, Anne had a lead inspector role for inclusion and developing the young workforce nationally. Anne has led and contributed to inspections across sectors including residential schools, and has worked with Care Inspectorate colleagues in inspections of services to protect children and integrated children’s services.

Clair Ferguson

Clair is Chief Executive Office of the Elgin Youth Development Group a youth work project in Moray. We are passionate about providing better opportunities for young people. Over time we have developed our facilities and the opportunities we offer to young people and the wider community including a Youth Café and social enterprise offering meeting rooms for hire and a community kitchen. The running of our operation benefits from being able to offer paid work placements to young people who bring their creativity and ideas to everything we do. Clair has worked at a senior level in a range of charities involved in supporting young people reach their potential. She brings experience in people management, strategic planning, financial management, income generation and fundraising. She has held a number of board positions, including being Chair of a secondary school and currently she is a Director of Wild Things!, a charity that encourages individuals, including young people, to engage with and learn about their natural environment. When not at her desk, Clair is to be found up hill, on her bike or exploring our beautiful Moray countryside.

Douglas Ormston

Douglas has been involved with youth work for most of his life, having been involved in The Scout Association growing up, this progressed on to an interest and passion for improving the lives of young people and working to ensure that young people have an equal chance in life. Currently Douglas is the Manager at TD1 Youth Hub in Galashiels, which is a youth work organisation that works with those aged 11 – 21 year old offering support, guidance and opportunities for young people to shape their own futures. Prior to this he led a one to one support project for young people at the Y2K project in Mayfield & Easthouses in Midlothian, before Y2K he developed and established a detached streetwork project with East Lothian Council which covered the whole authority area, his career started in East Lothian as part of the Youth Justice Team. “I wanted to join the board of directors as I believes I have gathered a great deal of knowledge and experience and see at first-hand the impact that youth work has on young people on a daily basis and feel passionate about ensuring that youth work is recognised throughout the country as a vital part of society”.

Jayne Stuart

With a wealth of leadership, management and board-level experience, Jayne has established a career as a highly respected figure across voluntary, community and education sectors. Jayne has worked at a senior level for 20 years, with over 15 years as Director/ CEO within charities. Appointed to her first Director/ CEO position at the age of 31, Jayne progressed to leading one of the largest and most highly regarded adult education charities in the country, when becoming Director at WEA Scotland. Working closely with Scottish Government, Jayne has influenced numerous national policies and strategies, working tirelessly as a strong advocate for equality and social justice in Scotland.

June Ford

June has been part of youth work for most of her life, having been involved in community based youth work as young person within North Lanarkshire and becoming a part time youth worker while studying CLD at Strathclyde University. Over the past 20 years as part of the CLD service in North Lanarkshire, June has worked with young people within secondary schools and introduced the Dynamic Youth Awards as part of the P7 – S1 transition programme. As Senior Youth Worker, June continued to use Dynamic Youth Awards and Youth Achievements Awards as part of Young People volunteering in their community and as part of a mental health project. June is strong advocate for the awards programme and has led numerous training sessions on the awards to CLD staff, Community based voluntary organisations and schools. In addition, she is a consistent part of the moderation and verification process for Youth Scotland. As CLD Youth Work Manager within North Lanarkshire Council, June leads a team of community based youth workers, part time staff and volunteers to deliver on the North Lanarkshire Council Youth Work Plan that is aligned to the National Youth Work Strategy. “Joining the Youth Scotland Board is a great opportunity to help the organisation plan for sustainable youth work both in CLD and with local and national voluntary organisations. Youth Scotland has been able to create youth work projects that are delivered within local communities by up skilling the staff and volunteers which then has a positive impact on the young people. Being able to bring my experience and knowledge to the table is a privilege and one that I hope will contribute the ongoing suitability of the organisation.”

Linda McGlynn

Linda is the project manager of YoMo Glasgow which support young people to engage in their community through volunteering opportunities which support youth empowerment, activities citizenship and a youth voice. YoMo supports young people locally but also getting them involved on many National platforms. Linda is a great believer that accreditation and opportunities can support young people to reach their full potential. Most recently YoMo has support young people to be involved in the Food Foundation creating the Children Future Food Report and presentation this to both Westminster and Holyrood. YoMo’s work around young people positive mental health won the YouthLink National Youth Work Award 2020. YoMo is an operating agency that provides the voluntary sector across Glasgow support to deliver the awards to young people. YoMo support young people to run the oldest and largest YouthBank in Scotland providing youth led small grants to local youth groups. Linda is passionate about support young people to co- design and co-produce youth work services.

Sascha Macleod

Sascha is currently the Managing Director of The BIG Project a neighbourhood based youth project which recently received The Queen’s award for Voluntary Service. Although Sascha started out in teaching, her career has been focused in the voluntary youth work sector. Working in some of Edinburgh’s major youth projects - Citadel, CYP, and PYCP she knows from experience the difference good quality youth work makes to the lives of children and young people and believes it is vital to ensure their continued access to high quality youth services. A founder member of The Lothian Girls Work Group, Sascha is passionate about ensuring that all young people have equal access to opportunities and is committed to ensuring work with girls and young women remains firmly on the agenda. Sascha participated in a mentoring and development programme with Pilotlight and has for the past 11 years been a Trustee with Hopscotch Children’s Charity which provides respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across Scotland. She is also a member of Edinburgh Youth Work Consortium.

Scott Findlay

Scott started his career as a sport scientist and coach for a Performance Triathlon Squad in Edinburgh. After deciding to pursue a more Public Health focused career, Scott started working as the B:activ Project Coordinator for Youth 1st. The project aims to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing through physical activity and engagement with the community. Both in work and out, Scott is passionate about helping people to be happier and healthier.