Board of Trustees

Office Bearers & Trustees 2012/13:

President: Alan Blackie - Started his career as a volunteer youth worker and post qualifying was promoted within the Community Education ranks of Lothian Region becoming an Area Officer and then Deputy Principle Officer. Following re-organisation in 1996 he moved to East Lothian Council becoming Director of Children’s Services before being appointed Chief Executive. He retired in 2011 but remained active on the board of Young Scot whom he chaired for a number of years.

Chair: Dona Milne – Connected to LAYC for many years having undertaken placement on route to her Comm Educ qualifaction.  Currently Senior Manager with NHS following two year secondment to Scottish Government as Public Health Adviser.  Chair of LAYC for past four years.

Vice -Chair: Helen Kelly – Involved in LAYC for over 30 years.  Volunteer/Sessional Worker who went onto train as Community Education Worker and was the Women’s Officer for West Lothian District Council prior to the new councils.  Now Senior Administrator for a number of West Lothian Councillors.  Vice -Chair of LAYC for over ten years.

Hon Treasurer: Margaret Walker – Runs Buckstone Youth Club and Project highly successful youth provision for the past 10 years with involvement in youth work going back another 20 years.  Won Sessional Youth Worker of the Year at the YouthLink Scotland Awards in 2009.  Hon. Treasurer of LAYC for the past 7 years.

Trustees:

Valerie Agnew – Co-ordinator of Liberton After School Club and prior to that a play worker in a variety of settings. Been using LAYC services for the last few years and joined committee after the 2009 AGM. Provides a key voice for after school clubs in membership ensuring LAYC continues to offer support to a much valued sector.

Helen Davis – Manager of West Lothian Youth Action Project, the largest voluntary youth work agency in West Lothian.  Operates dedicated provision, street work, specialist support and targeted work across the county.  Committee member over past 11 years.

Dawn Exley – Joined the Board in October 2013 as part of the new SCIO.  She brings a wealth of experience from her current role as Office Manager of the highly respected Citadel Youth Project and a fresh eye to opportunities both old and new. 

Susie Jamieson – She has a long association with LAYC primarily through her work as senior administrator at Canongate Youth Project for many years. She is also plays an active role in the Project’s youth clubs and was previously chair of the PTA at Leith Academy. Joined in 2011.

Annette Lang - Currently Senior Re-generation Officer with Midlothian Council. Previously  CLD in Midlothian and a youth worker in Borders. Attends in her own time and personal capacity. Since joining in 2010 she has brought significant insight to issues including bedding in better evaluation.

Sonal Raithatha – First came to LAYC’s attention as a participant and graduate of the PDA in Youth Work course. Having expressed an interest in joining the board we couldn’t miss the chance to recruit her. In her day job she is a Peer Education Co-ordinator with Fast Forward.

Staff (non trustees):

Graham McCulloch – Staff Rep – Route for staff to bring issues to Board.

Ian Boardman – Attends as Director.