New faces at SDS Scotland

SDS Scotland has recently welcomed two new faces to the team! Kayleigh Hirst has joined us as our new Communications Manager, while Julia Lawrence has been appointed Information Officer. 

Kayleigh has a background in communications and engagement in the third sector, having previously worked with ENABLE Scotland, the Mental Health Foundation and most recently, St John Scotland.  

Julia’s background is in co-producing research, and she previously worked with SDSS on the My Support, My Choice research project into individuals’ experiences of Self-directed Support. She is currently a researcher at Stirling University’s Faculty of Social Sciences. 

Kayleigh said: “I’m really pleased to have joined the team and I’m enjoying getting stuck in to our work – it’s a time of big changes in social care so it’s exciting to be part of an organisation which is working across the sector to positively influence that change. I’m looking forward to working closely with SDSS member organisations and getting to know the work they do in helping people access Self-directed Support.” 

Julia said: “I look forward to working with the team and with our member organisations run by and for disabled people across Scotland to ensure they have best support. I am also very excited to be joining at a time where there are big opportunities to influence how future social care is delivered, such as the development of the National Care Service for Scotland, whose foundations should be co-produced with support organisations and service users.” 

You can contact Kayleigh at kayleigh@sdsscotland.org.uk and Julia at julia@sdsscotland.org.uk