PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES

I have been involved with Move On since the very beginning, and have seen it grow and develop over the last 10 years. My role includes leading the Management Team, supporting Move On’s Board of Non-executive Directors, fundraising, and dealing with the financial side of things. Although much of this involves sitting at a desk and using a computer, I find my role extremely varied with no day ever the same as another

I joined Move On in January 02 as the manager of the Floating Support Service. I now manage the Training and Development Service, Aftercare and Adult Literacy Services. My current position as Depute Director allows me to maintain my service management role whilst taking responsibility for the wider areas of Move On’s work. When I started working for Move On I was 6ft 5ins, had thick dark hair and not a single trace of grey. Over the years I have shrunk to 5ft 5½ins, lost hair and have auditioned for a role in Thornbirds as Richard Chamberlain’s wee brother.

I came to Move On in June 2004, and I am the Manager of the Housing Education Service across both Edinburgh and Glasgow. My team and I have worked hard to create a positive environment for young people, with the emphasis on fun, support, and informality. My passion and belief in young people is constantly fed by my inspirational outlook and my wonderful staff team. PS I am the funkiest funky chicken and the baddest of bad dancers.

I joined Move On in the dark ages when it first began in Glasgow. I was tricked into thinking I would be the Administrator however, it soon became apparent that I was to be a ‘jack of all trades’. My job now is more operational support and development including fundraising.

I’m the new part-time admin assistant at Move On.  I have worked in the voluntary sector for over 5 years and enjoy the varied and rewarding work.  Most of my spare time is taken up by my three children however I can't wait to get involved in Move On’s nights out and witness Louisa’s 'funky chicken'!!

I started working for Move On in April 2006 as a sessional worker for both Move On’s Floating Support Service and the Training and Development Service. I moved to the Training and Development Service in Aug 2006 and I have been working as a group worker ever since. I deliver group sessions focusing on core issues as well as skills based group work. We also offer intensive one to one support on a weekly basis.

I came to Move On seven years ago as a sessional Group Worker initially working six hours per week with the Training and Development Team. I was offered a full-time group worker post which I did for five years. I’m now an Aftercare Worker and support service users during the transitional period between finishing the main group work programme and moving onto future options, for example, training, education, volunteering or employment. I’m the handsome one of the office with the best sense of humour.

I have been with Move On since March 2005 – firstly as a volunteer mentor, and then when I realised how wonderful Move On was I got a job working with the great staff team and the fantastic volunteers. I also work with the volunteer peer educators to deliver the fun and funky workshops to young people across Scotland. Obviously with me being Spanish I (and not Louisa) bring the real touch of class and sophistication to Move On!

I started working for Move On in 2005 as a part-time Admin Assistant. A couple of months into this job I started doing sessional work with the Glasgow Housing Education Service and really enjoyed it. I applied and became a full-time Development Worker for the Housing Education Service in November 2006. My role includes recruiting and training volunteers, delivering workshops, playing games and having spangly fun. Hailing from Aberdeen I have managed to bring a bit of culture to Glasgow, (you should see my funky chicken!).

I came to Move On March 2004 as one of the first Volunteers on the Pilot mentoring project, and now coordinate the Mentoring Service. My bubbly personality, captivating charm, witty outlook on life (bad jokes) and my experience of working with young people from various backgrounds and in various settings, helps to build great relationships with them. I get sent all over the place to promote our fantastic approach to working with young people and spread the Move On word. OH!! … On nights out I accompany Biddy and Jo in the highly competitive sport of bad dancing!!

I have worked for Move On since Oct 2007. After a brief stint as USA taco eating champ in 2004 I have been involved in youth work and homelessness issues. I now work for the Mentoring Service, training volunteers, meeting young people and matching them together to have a great time.

From a new-ish workers perspective I can vouch that Move On has a pretty special atmosphere, with an extremely dedicated staff team. I was the youngest member fo the team until Jill came along, however I still remain the only man in the office, unless you count John and Martin!

I've been working at Move On since March 2008, so I am the newest and youngest member of the Move On staff team. I am the Development Worker in our Edinburgh Gang Hut, providing training, advice and support. I work along side the volunteers to promote and deliver peer education workshops to lots of young people. My favourite part about working at Move On is that each day brings a new challenge, which makes getting out of bed in the morning easier. The banter's na bad either.

I started at Move On six years ago as a sessional worker and soon after was offered a full-time position with the Floating Support Team. My job involves supporting people who have been affected by homelessness to maintain and sustain their tenancy. I enjoy working with people in the community and although it can be challenging it’s also very rewarding.

I came to Move On October 2001 as a student whilst studying a course on Working with Communities at Anniesland College. It was only a matter of time before the staff at Move On realised that I was a fantastic worker. They offered me some sessional work with the Training and Development Service. Over the course of several months I was offered a post with the Floating Support Service and have worked there ever since. My main role is supporting people to maintain and sustain their tenancies. Once in their tenancy I help hm access community care grants so they can buy the essential items for their new home. I’m also known about the office as ‘Shug I’ve not had a lunch break McRoberts’.

I started working for Move On in November 2006 as the Literacy Worker. I had been working as Literacy Co-ordinator in an FE College but missed the ‘hands on’ practical element of literacies work and knew that was what I enjoyed most. I deliver literacy and numeracy tutoring through Communications group work and in one to ones. The learners can come from any of Move On’s services. I’m also the unofficial Move On proof reader and ‘grammar fixer upper’.

Hilary is a solicitor and academic, specialising in human rights and mental health law. She was legal advisor to the Scottish Association for Mental Health and a member of the Millan Committee, which reviewed Scottish mental health laws. She writes and teaches for a wide variety of audiences and is an honorary fellow in the Law School at Edinburgh University, as well as Vice Convenor of Mental Health and Disability Committee at the Law Society. She has wide experience of the voluntary sector and has a particular interest in governance issues.

Susan Brown has lived and worked in Glasgow for the past thirty years, spending twenty five of these working within the Housing Association movement in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the city. In retirement she has maintained her interest in housing issues, joining the board of Move On. Her other interests include the Simon Community, WRVS and the Rent Assessment Panel.

Following a career in banking for 37 years Bob took early retirement and has since been actively involved in charity work. He is the Co-ordinator for Greater Glasgow of The Senior Executive Programme run by Scottish Business in the Community. This organisation provides assistance to charities from volunteer members who have extensive business skills to offer, and his involvement with Move On was part of this programme. Bob brings substantial financial skills to the Board.

Keith is the Project Manager of Fresh Start, a charity that provides a range of services that support the resettlement of homeless people in Edinburgh. A former employee of Move On, Keith has 15 years experience of working with homeless people, much of this time has been spent in resettlement, development and managerial roles.

Morag has over 30 years experience in the IT Software & Services Industry, primarily working with large multinational companies. She has extensive experience in of programme / project management and staff management. On retiring she returned to Scotland and became a volunteer adviser with the Citizens Advice Bureau in Edinburgh. Through her work at the CAB she became aware of the many issues associated with homelessness and young people leaving care and this led to her contacting Move On and becoming a member of the Board in 2005.

Peter is a Local Authority Area Manager, with wide ranging responsibilities for council housing, and many other community-based services. He has an excellent knowledge of housing issues, as well as experience of setting and monitoring of budgets, and management of a large staff team. Peter has also been heavily involved with some of the Council’s more successful initiatives aimed at fully involving tenants in the running of their homes.

Mandy is a Partner in Dundas & Wilson's Employment Team, with responsibility for managing a large number of solicitors and support staff. She has considerable experience in representing clients in Employment Tribunals throughout the UK and advising on potentially contentious issues. Mandy has a particular interest in discrimination and equality and has presented a number of seminars in this area. Mandy has also been a befriender with Homelink, an organisation which provides personal support to families experiencing difficulties.