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Policy Committee
Policy CommitteePolicy Committee Documents
The Voluntary Sector Policy Committee acts in an advisory capacity to our Management Board. It is role of the Committee to determine policies which reflect the best interests of Scottish voluntary organisations and to represent these interests to government, local authorities, the private sector and the public at large.

Dr Alison Elliot Dr Alison Elliot
Alison Elliot's work straddles the university, the church and civil society. Formerly a lecturer in psychology, she is an Honorary Fellow at New College, University of Edinburgh, and Associate Director of its Centre for Theology and Public Issues. In 2004 she was the first woman to be appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. As Convenor of the Kirk's Church and Nation Committee from 1996-2000 she was involved in political advocacy and campaigning for a Scottish Parliament. She was Convenor of Action of Churches Together in Scotland, which brings together mainstream Scottish churches, and is on the governing body of the Conference of European Churches. She chairs the Lay Advisory Group for the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and has taken part in working groups on health, criminal justice, asylum policy, constitutional matters and land reform. She is a Trustee of Community Service Volunteers and the Scottish Malawi Foundation and chairs Scottish Churches World Exchange.
Helen Tyrrell Helen Tyrrell - Vice Convenor
Helen has worked in the voluntary sector for the last 15 years. Following an earlier career in language teaching, Helen qualified in public health and then worked in academic and NHS settings for several years, before joining Alzheimer’s Scotland in 1989. Six years as Community Health Advisor to Save the Children followed and since 2000, Helen has been Director of Voluntary Health Scotland. Voluntary Health Scotland is the national network of voluntary health organisations in Scotland. It aims to maximize the impact of the voluntary sector on health improvement and health care in Scotland. Membership comprises nearly 300 groups and organizations. Away from VHS Helen is also a committee member of the UK Public Health Association in Scotland and a Board member of TRANSform Scotland, the sustainable transport campaign.
Patricia Aniello Patricia Aniello - Honorary Treasurer
Patricia has been working in the voluntary sector since 1985 and is currently the Director of Finance for The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Outside SAMH Patricia is chair of the Scottish Charity Finance Directors' Group (SCFDG) lobbying group, a membership organisation which aims to promote best practice in financial management throughout the voluntary sector in Scotland. She has been Honorary Treasurer of the West Lothian Drug & Alcohol Service (WLDAS) since 1998 and represents Community Care Providers Scotland (CCPS) on the Scottish Executive’s Supporting People Forum. For the past 4 years she has been a member of the ESF, Objective 3 PME Management Committee.
Alex Cole-Hamilton Alex Cole-Hamilton
Alex Cole-Hamilton is Head of Policy at Aberlour Child Care Trust, Scotland's largest solely Scottish children's charity. He currently sits on the management boards of both SCVO and the Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights. He also sits on the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People's Advisory Committee and the policy forum of Youthlink Scotland. Before entering the voluntary sector some years ago, Alex was employed by the Liberal Democrat group in the Scottish Parliament where he was responsible for researching and articulating policy, particularly pertaining to education and young people. Alex is a graduate of Aberdeen University where he obtained an honours degree in politics and held office as President of the Students' Association. He enjoys surfing, scuba diving and learning Arabic and occasionally writes for the Guardian unlimited website.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew has been in the voluntary sector for 15 years. He began as a volunteer youth worker in Edinburgh and has subsequently worked or volunteered in the fields of drugs education, homelessness, learning difficulties, advocacy, home-school linking, community development and physical disability. He also volunteered at the original 'clubhouse' mental health project in New York City. He joined SCVO in 2002 to run a disability-related project, becoming a Policy Officer then Policy Manager, before joining WRVS as Media and Public Affairs Manager for Scotland in 2007. He is committed to making sure that the voluntary sector's voice is heard in Scottish politics and believes its role in Scottish public life has never been more pivotal.
Andy Myles
Andy is the Parliamentary Officer of Scottish Environment Link, the forum for Scotland's voluntary environment organisations. Previous experience with the voluntary sector includes Head of Advocacy and Media for RSPB Scotland between 1997-2005. Andy has degrees in Law and Politics from Dundee University. His CV includes 9 years as a mental health services manager in the NHS, 5 years as Chief Executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and 2 years as Special Adviser to the Lib Dem Ministers in the last Scottish administration. Andy currently volunteers as a political and media adviser to the Indian Vulture Recovery Project, has been an international election observer in Ghana, Lesotho and Gibralter, and has volunteered as a trainer on cross-party visits to Mongolia, Romania and Ghana.
Carole Patrick Carole Patrick
Carole is the Deputy Manager at CVS Fife where she has responsibility for leading on Information/Communications and is very involved in representing the interests of the voluntary sector within Fife's Community Planning Partnership. Carole also carries out one-to-one development work with local organisations, particularly with Boards, and has a good understanding of the range of issues facing Third Sector organisations regardless of the size and nature of their activities
Caroline Lorimer
Alongside her profession as an interior designer, Caroline has worked as a volunteer in the field of the arts and arts education for many years both as committee member and fundraiser. Currently she is chairman of the Ayrshire Arts Network, a lobbying and networking organisation set up to raise the profile of the arts in Ayrshire. She acts as a curator of Roselle Gallery in Ayr, is working with South Ayrshire Council on the development of their Cultural Strategy and is involved in developing young people's arts education programmes in conjunction with the Eden Trust. She is closely involved with the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies and held the position of National Chairman of NADFAS Young Arts for 3 years retiring in 2009 and now sits on the NADFAS Grants Committee. Caroline believes strongly in the impact that grass roots organisations can have on communities and society as a whole and recognises the vital role that individual volunteers play in these organisations.
David Griffiths David Griffiths
David Griffiths is Chief Executive of ECAS, an Edinburgh charity working with people with a physical disability providing classes and activities, grants, befriending, research and campaigning. He also has professional and voluntary experience at local and national level with the Sea Cadets and is a former Trustee of Edinburgh Young Carers Project. David is keen to ensure that the voluntary sector not only provides quality services to those who need its support, but that it is also respected and understood in its role of social conscience.
Diane Hekerem Diana Hekerem
Currently Business Development Manager Scotland, for Marie Curie Cancer Care, I work in close partnership with the NHS to develop new and existing services, delivered by trained clinical staff and volunteers, to improve end of life care for patients and carers. We also work closely with the Scottish Government to promote patient choice. Previous roles include Capital Appeal Manager for the new Marie Curie Hospice, Red Cross Community Fundraising Manager Scotland, and international development for VSO in Nigeria. I am Founder and Trustee of Chukwu Trust, supporting education and micro credit in Africa.
Eliane Reid Eliane Reid
Eliane Reid is Head of Programmes and Strategy and a member of the Executive Team for Volunteer Development Scotland. Her role is focused on working closely with partners locally, regionally and nationally, and through managing and influencing policy, research and development of volunteering. Eliane is passionate about recognising the value of people who give their time voluntarily. She has 20 years of public policy experience and offers skills and expertise about working with Government and public bodies, research and partnership work. Eliane has a track record in organisational development, including the voluntary sector and seeks to understand organisational needs and assist in meeting the challenges facing the sector.
Elizabeth Rowlett Elizabeth Rowlett
Elizabeth is the Policy, Information and Parliamentary Officer with the Scottish Disability Equality Forum. She has lengthy professional experience in the voluntary sector, including with VOCAL and the Stirling Health and Well-Being Alliance. She has volunteered with the Princess Royal Trust, MS Society, Shelter, PDSA and a holiday home for children with special needs. She has also worked as Assistant Editor with Reuters and at the Scottish Parliament's Information Centre.
Fiona Campbell
Executive Officer of Voluntary Arts Scotland, Fiona has been involved in cultural activities for many years in Scotland and New Zealand. Previous paid roles include Press & Marketing Officer for the National Association of Youth Orchestras (NAYO) and Project Administrator for Scottish Education and Action for Development (SEAD). She has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Cultural Policy & Management. Fiona is the Treasurer and Edinburgh & Lothians branch Convener - Traditional Music & Song Association(TMSA), a board member of SEAD and NEO productions. She has brought the national perspective of the voluntary arts and crafts sector to SCVO's Policy Committee and other similar groups previously, and would like to continue to do so.
Florence Edmond Florence Edmond
Florence Edmond is Policy and Research Officer with RNID Scotland, the largest charity representing 780,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Scotland and their families. Florence is responsible for monitoring policies which affect deaf and hard of hearing people and for responding to relevant consultations. She worked for a private sector consultancy for 13 years and helped voluntary organisations develop their projects and apply for funding. She has evaluated a number of programmes involving vol orgs including EQUAL Theme D - Strengthening the Social Economy (for SCVO) and has recently worked on an options appraisal of OFFTI (Opportunities for Training for Independence), a training and support service for people with special needs. She is also involved in an informal support group for parents of children with Down's Syndrome.
John MacDonald John MacDonald
John has worked in the voluntary sector since 1991. He spent 11 years as a Development Officer at SCVO, 4 years as Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Association and is currently Director for Scotland for the Community Transport Association, who represent the interests of and provide services to community and voluntary transport providers.
Julie Hogg Julie Hogg
Julie has worked within the Scottish voluntary sector for over ten years through a combination of paid posts, volunteering, and board membership. She took up her current post as Director of Partners in Advocacy in April 2008. For over 10 years Partners in Advocacy have supported people with additional support needs to speak out, make choices, have their rights upheld and be included in their communities. Julie previously worked for Project Scotland, Age Concern Scotland, Shelter and also had the privilege of working for the Big Lottery Fund for 10 years ensuring funds were well targeted, developing strategic partnerships and quality projects across Scotland. She also contributed to the development of new investment programmes, stakeholder consultations, delivery of training programmes and surgeries, and policy development. Julie is passionately committed to inclusion and voluntary sector sustainability and growth in these challenging times.
Kirsten Gooday Kirsten Gooday
Kirsten is Policy and Development manager at Community Care Providers Scotland (CCPS), the national association for voluntary organisations providing care and support services across Scotland. Kirsten's practical experience of policy making in third sector is complemented by her study towards an MSc in Public Policy, where she has focussed in particular on the sector's contribution to national policy making and involvement in local planning structures. As a former volunteer assessor for the Scottish Community Foundation, Kirsten also has a good understanding of the challenges facing small voluntary organisations.
Lindsay Hall Lindsay Hall
Lindsay has worked tirelessly for the Third Sector over the past 25 years in Orkney. He is an active director of VOA and has had current and recent involvement on a variety of boards including the Isles Development Trust for the Island of Hoy (Orkney), the local CAB and the Employability Orkney agency. He is also involved with the Lifeboat Museum and the Gable End Theatre. Lindsay has been instrumental in the sustainability and development of these services. He is committed, participative, knowledgeable and a strategic thinker. He works for community social service.
Nancy Taylor Nancy Taylor
Throughout her working life in local government Nancy was involved with the voluntary sector in posts ranging from membership of working groups in the 1970s which set up Glasgow Council for Voluntary Service, to being responsible for Strathclyde's voluntary and community Urban Programme and Director of Greater Easterhouse Initiative.
Penny Brodie Penny Brodie FRSA
Penny Brodie FRSA - Lead Scotland Penny is the Director of Lead Scotland, a national organisation linking post-school education and disability, as well as supporting carers and those who may be socially or educationally isolated to participate in lifelong learning. For the past 6 years Penny was the Chief Executive of Perth & Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) which provides services to the sector through a CVS, Volunteer Centre and direct service delivery to carers, adults experiencing mental ill health and individuals with mobility difficulties. Penny is: Chairman of the Board of Management of Perth College; sits on the Board of Governors of UHI (University of the Highlands & Islands Millennium Institute); sits on the Board of Scotland Garden’s Trust (developing the Calyx, Scotland’s Garden); elected as a Fellow of the RSA; and, is Chairman of Radio Perth Limited (soon to be operating as Perth FM).
Peter Kelly
Peter Kelly has been Director of The Poverty Alliance, Scotland's anti-poverty network, since 2004. He previously worked as a researcher with a number of organisations; the Scottish Low Pay Unit, Strathclyde Regional Council and with a community health organisation in the early 1990s. His main policy interests are income inequality, employment and poverty, and civic participation in policy development. He has published a number of articles on poverty and low pay in Scotland. In addition to Scottish work, Peter is also actively involved in a range of UK and European anti-poverty networks, is currently a board member of the End Child Poverty Campaign and is the UK representative on the Executive Committee of the European Anti-Poverty Network. He has a BA(Hons)Applied Social Studies from Paisley College and an MPhil Social Science Research from the University of Glasgow.
Richard Miller
Richard has a well established background in Policy. A former President of the University of Aberdeen 06/07, Executive member of NUS 07/08, and a board member of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum 08/09, Richard has contributed to developing policy for over 5 years. Currently working with drug users as a person-centred practitioner with Crew 2000, Richard can make a solid contribution towards the ongoing work of SCVO bringing both a youthful perspective and experience.
Simon Jaquet Simon Jaquet
Simon Jaquet is Chair of the Edinburgh Consortium for Youth Work, a body that promotes youth work in both the voluntary and public sectors in Edinburgh. He is Vice-Chair of the Rock Trust and a Board member of Fischy Music. He has 30 years experience of the voluntary sector, having worked with young people in national youth organisations, local youth projects, and community arts - in Scotland, in France and in Botswana. From 2001 to 2004 he was Chief Executive of Youthlink Scotland, the national body for youth work. Prior to this he worked for fourteen years as Director of Fast Forward. He currently runs his own consultancy business and also works as a consultant with the Charities Aid Foundation. He has a wife, 2 children, a large drumkit, and unusually powerful spectacles.
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