Alison Parkinson Training Services Lead Expand Alison joined AUK Scotland in 2016 when her adopted son and daughter left home to go to College. She started as Helpline Adviser and used her children’s varied(!) experiences of education and her own background in Further Education to design and deliver training around supporting adopted children in education. Her current role focusses on developing and delivering AUK Scotland’s training programme and supporting TESSA. Alison’s favourite pastime involves uninterrupted reading, red wine and chocolate.
Aliy Brown FASD Project Manager Expand Aliy Brown is the Project Manager and leads the FASD Hub Scotland team. An adoptive parent to three young people, one of who has an FASD diagnosis, she understands the realities of supporting and parenting individuals with a history of PAE and FASD. Aliy has a background in project management within the NHS and central government, is a chartered manager, and has previously worked in the third sector at home and overseas. She graduated from Newcastle University as a mature student in 1999 with a B.A. Hons in Social Policy, and has worked for Adoption UK Scotland since 2015. In her spare time she likes being outdoors, spend time on adventures in her family’s motorhome, and enjoys creative crafts.
Barbara Ogston FASD Lead Expand Barbara is an adoptive parent to two young people in their teenage years, one of whom has an FASD diagnosis. She has been part of the FASD community for many years and is excited to be working in the FASD Hub. Barbara’s background is in working with children in education and the third sector, with a particular focus on supporting children affected by parental drug and alcohol use. Barbara graduated from the Open University in 2017 with a B.A. Hons in Childhood and Youth Studies, and in 2020 with a M.A. in Childhood and Youth. Barbara enjoys crafts of all kinds, in particular sewing, jewellery making and card making.
Carol Hunter Community Engagement Lead Expand Carol joined Adoption UK as Community Engagement Lead for our #EProject, engaging with children and young people as part of our commitment to The Promise. She has previously volunteered with the FASD Hub as an adult with FASD and as an adoptee and also works within the college sector as a full time guidance adviser. She has recently completed her MA Crime and Justice, alongside volunteering with Children’s Hearings Scotland as a panel member within Fife and is a Mum to three young boys.
Denise Horn Business Support and Development Manager Expand Denise started with Adoption UK Scotland in July 2019. She lives in Edinburgh with her partner and 2 adopted children. Denise has a background in developing partnerships, project management and marketing working within the public sector and charity sector. You are most likely to find her dog walking, fusing bits of glass or sea swimming when she gets a moment to herself.
Elinor Gallant TESSA Lead Expand Joined Adoption UK Scotland in October 2019. Elinor’s background is in exhibitions and events. Adoptive Mum to an active young boy she spends most of her spare time on bike rides, splashing in muddy puddles and baking treats to fuel outdoor adventures. In rare moments to herself Elinor loves a good book, playing the piano or heading out to the theatre or cinema with friends.
Fiona Aitken Scotland Director Expand A qualified speech and language therapist, Fiona has worked with children with disabilities and in residential care before joining Adoption UK Scotland in 2014. Fiona and her husband have two children, a cat and a dog, and are specialist disability short break foster carers. Fiona enjoys singing – both in and out of the office, spending time with friends, and family.
Fiona Dunbar Adoption Services Manager Expand Joined Adoption UK Scotland in 2014, originally as the volunteer coordinator, and as a result of service development, now holds the role of Adoption Services Manager. Fiona is a retired Foster Carer of over 14 years, and has one adopted teenage daughter at home, and two adult children. Fiona likes to have an early morning walk with the family dog, is fond of dining out when able.
Gavin Stuart Communications Support and Helpline Advisor Expand Gavin joined Adoption UK Scotland in 2021 following a 15-year career in journalism during which he worked at STV, the Herald, and Scottish charity website Third Force News. A graduate of Cardonald College, Gavin lives in Glasgow and in his spare time enjoys collecting records (especially 70s rock), watching ice hockey and reading science fiction.
Georgiana Bugeag KCASS Support and Advocacy Worker Expand Georgiana has been working as a Kinship Care Adviser for three years. During her time as an adviser she has assisted kinship carers with complex legal and financial queries. She has also worked closely with local authorities in the north-east of Scotland to raise awareness of the difficulties the carers face. Georgiana has a wide background in advocacy and volunteering with Red Cross Romania, Cornerstone Scotland, Citizens Advice Bureau and United Nations Association UK. She previously worked at Citizens Advice Bureau both as a generalist adviser and a specialist adviser with the Armed Forces and EU Citizens Project.
Helena Wilson Helpline Advisor and Administrator Expand Helena started with Adoption UK Scotland in May 2019. Helena has a background in the legal sector prior to joining AUK. She lives in East Lothian and has one adopted daughter aged 8. Helena volunteers with her local Brownie unit and her hobbies include yoga, swimming and exploring the East Coast of Scotland by foot, bike or car.
Ian Deeney Parent Partner Expand Joined Adoption UK in September 19. Previously worked in a family business for 18 years. Adoptive Dad to two girls, most of my spare time is spent being taxi to them for all their out of school interests. I am a member of the Local Authority Adoption & Fostering Panel, as well as studying towards a diploma in reflexology. Enjoy nothing more than cooking a roast Sunday dinner with classical music for company in the kitchen