Our Team

Hello, I’m Susie – the CEO of U-evolve. I joined U-evolve in April 2023 after spending a year as a Trustee on our Board. Before this, I worked as a senior manager in the youth work sector where I worked closely with children and young people in central Edinburgh. I am currently studying for my masters in Counselling Therapy, I’m passionate about therapeutic work and making this more accessible for young people.

Hi! I’m Alice, a dedicated and compassionate counsellor and development worker at U-evolve. I am here to provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for young people to explore and address any of their concerns. I take a pluralistic approach, allowing young people to lead the way in their therapeutic journey. I firmly believe in the importance of collaboration and adapt my methods to best suit each young person’s needs and preferences. Working together, we can look towards raising resilience, enhancing wellbeing and achieving any of their goals.

I am Ana, one of U-evolve’s Mental Health Coaches. I am currently on the last leg of my Integrative Counselling Diploma and have a MSc in Psychology of Mental Health from Edinburgh University. I am originally from Romania, and I’m always looking for new words and phrases to add to my Scottish slang vocabulary! I am passionate about working with young people as I believe our teenage years are a key time in our lives. I hope to help the young people I work with become aware of themselves and how to use their existing resources. In my spare time, I like to do a bit of baking, watch musicals, practice yoga and aerial.

I’m Emily, U-evolve’s Fundraising Lead. It’s my job to find funding partners who want to support our work and tell them about youth mental health and how U-evolve works to improve things for young people. I also love to organise community events and keep an eye on all our branding and comms. If you donate, take part in a sponsored challenge, or represent us at YPI etc then you’ll probably speak to me! I’m passionate about making mental health services more accessible and suitable for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I love working at U-evolve because of our fantastic team, it’s great to work alongside such a lovely bunch. In my spare time you’ll find me in the garden or arranging flowers.

I’m Tamara, I work as a Mental Health Coach at U-evolve. I joined the U-evolve team in December 2022. I’m training as a Counsellor at the University of Edinburgh and I have an MA in Politics and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen. After making a career change from social and environmental research and public affairs in London, I worked with people experiencing homelessness, mental health issues and addiction in Edinburgh. I’m passionate about providing a safe and supportive space for young people, where each person feels heard, understood and valued for who they are.

Hello! I’m Alison, an art therapist and development worker at U-evolve. I offer 1:1 and group art therapy sessions in schools and at the U-evolve office. I use creative processes in therapy as often this can help people express emotions when words are hard to find. No need to be a drawing expert, sometimes just making a mess is the most therapeutic!

I deliver specific groupworks for young people transitioning from P7 to high school, as well as an LGBTQIA+ art therapy group for young people who need a safe space to explore their identity. As well as this, I run the Young Voices group, where young people share their ideas to help us better support their mental health. Their insights inspire me every day, and I’m committed to implementing their feedback in all my work at U-evolve.

In my development role at U-evolve, I work to form and maintain relationships with other local charities and schools in the surrounding areas, to ensure U-evolve is best connected to the young people who we support.

I’m Kya, I’m responsible for looking after our Finance and Admin. Recently Joining U-evolve in July 2024, I have a background in administrative services for a small business and I’m excited to put these skills into practice for the U-evolve team. I feel passionately about the importance of accessible mental health support for young people, and I’m committed to supporting the team behind the scenes to make this as easy and smooth as possible. In my free time, I enjoy playing field hockey and can often be found in the garden with a book and my bunny Skye.

With many years of senior leadership in the Faith and Voluntary sectors, Bob is an Executive Coach and Mentor who has a strong sense of social justice. He has extensive governance experience with various charities including a number of years as a Trustee of Christian Aid. Bob has enjoyed working with young people throughout his career and U-evolve offers an opportunity to continue that.

He enjoys photography, travel and has recently learned to kayak.

Scott is an accountant by training, but, likes to think that he not a typical accountant! He has held leaderships roles in a number of organisations and has broad commercial and charitable sector experience. Scott has extensive board and governance experience. He is U-evolve’s Treasurer.

Summary

Article Name

Scott Mcclure

Author

U-Evolve

Publisher Name

https://u-evolve.org/

Publisher Logo

Claire worked in Financial Services for 20 years in several different areas including Commercial, Business Planning, Finance and Customer Services before making the move into the charity sector. She has two school aged children and enjoys travelling, taking on new challenges and keeping fit. Claire joined our Board in April 2021 and became the vice chair in March 2023.

Fiona has spent the last 7 years working in fundraising for children’s charities, and currently works for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS). She hopes she can put these skills to good use on the Board. Fiona is passionate about mental health, especially in children, and is also pursuing an evening class in Counselling Skills.

Sammi is a Solicitor who qualified in immigration, asylum and human rights and now practices employment and discrimination law. She has spent time volunteering with young people in developing countries and has taught English within orphanages. Sammi brings her own lived experience of ACEs as a young person to the board of Trustees. She is determined to help young people shape their future based on who they are and not the circumstances they have faced so far.  In her free time, she appreciates a good coffee and can be found bagging Munros

Jen has a background in teaching English as a Second Language and has worked in the third sector for the last 5 years, most recently working in Participatory Grantmaking. She is passionate about value-led working and is grateful for the opportunity to join our Board to support our work and development so young people are empowered to live happy and fulfilled lives.

Georgia currently works within the technology sector and is passionate about supporting young people, having previously volunteered in mental health services. She is enthusiastic about ensuring young people have the proper resources to flourish and succeed within their local communities and their lives.