Staff Profiles
Gillian Newman - Policy Lead
Name – Gillian Newman
What is your role with HCF – Policy Lead
Why did you want to work/volunteer with HCF – I first came to HCF as the Consultation Worker (2004 to 2011) passionate about inclusion and giving children a voice. I returned to HCF as Policy Lead in 2014 to seek to ensure the voice of children and young people changes policy and practice.
What is your history of working with children and young people – although nurse trained, as my family grew I found childminding worked better. I went on to run the local playgroup and then Project Lead Cromarty Action for Young People. I retrained to post graduate level in child development, education, health and wellbeing.
Favourite colour – changes all the time – maybe bright blue
What do you do in your spare time – I do not get a lot of spare time, my four year old grandson lives with us, but I love sewing and upholstery.
Something people might not know about you – My husband and I brought up the 7 children we had between us (2 his, 4 mine and 1 ours) in the house Bill Alexander later bought from us in Cromarty. We now have 8 grandchildren.
Emma Thomas - Participation Lead
Name: Emma Thomas
What is your role with HCF - Staff member. I have the wonderful job of working alongside young people to enable them to have their voices heard.
Why did you want to work/volunteer with HCF - I am passionate about promoting the rights and participation of young people so they can speak out about their lives and experiences.
What is your history of working with children and young people – nearly half my life has been spent working alongside young people in youth work, campaigning and advocacy roles. I also work at Inverness College in the Supported Education Department and as a sessional youth worker with Waverley Care delivering sexual health and relationship education to young people.
Favourite colour - Red
What do you do in your spare time - Spending time with my lovely family, walking my dog on Nairn beach, learning French and trying to motivate myself to do some miles on my road bike!
Something people might not know about you - I ran the Great North Run half marathon when I was 12. I helped carry the Olympic torch around the UK as part of the Los Angeles Olympics (you only ran a couple of miles each!).