Our Team
An introduction to the VOX Scotland team.Our Board
VOX is governed by a Board of Directors, made up predominantly of elected directors – VOX members with lived experience of mental illness – as well as non-elected directors who are specialists in mental health issues. The elected directors actively govern VOX while non-elected directors provide advice and information when requested.
Our current Board of Directors is made up of:
Gordon Johnston, Chairperson
Stephen Duffy, Vice-Chairperson
Amanda Gordon, Member Director
Martin Robertson, Member Director
Matt Hu, Member Director
Gordon McInnes, Member Director
Natalie Shewan, Member Director
Stephen Muirhead, Member Director
Richard Norris, Non-Member Director
VOX Directors are elected for six years at a time and, following their tenure, they must step down for at least one year before they can stand for election to the Board again. This means that we’re regularly looking for members to step forward and think about joining the Board. Any VOX member can stand for Board membership by nominating themselves as a candidate at the Annual General Meeting, and the candidates receiving the most votes are elected onto the Board.
The VOX Board meets eight to ten times per year (this includes two national members’ meetings) to discuss VOX business and ensure that VOX staff implement VOX priorities. The Board also considers membership applications, monitors the budget, and responds to changes in mental health legislation and policy.
Our Staff
Find out more about the Voices of Experience (VOX) Scotland staff team in the profiles below.
Paula Fraser, Acting Manager
Hi, I’m Paula, Acting Manager at VOX.
I am committed to pushing for positive action and change that people with living and lived experience of mental health problems need, want, and deserve. So, I’m here, and I’m listening! I’m asking questions, and I’m gathering people’s views on issues that matter and represent those as effectively as possible to the people who can take action.
Getting outside, no matter what the weather is, is really important for me and, luckily, I have children who agree! So, muddy puddle walks, cycling by the river, and attempts at (junior!) archery in the garden are good for us! I love trips to the beach, visiting castles, having fun with friends and family. I like reading, eating chocolate, watching films (which I forget the plot of very soon afterward, so it’s like the first time every time!) and singing/dancing along to music while I hang up the washing, do the dishes, and cook the dinner! (Yes, at the same time 😀)
Paula Fraser
VOX Acting Manager
pfraser@mentalhealth.org.uk
Michelle McBride, Volunteer Engagement Officer
I am always amazed when I learn about the extent of individuals’ skills and experiences (tapped or untapped). Through working together and utilising these capabilities through co-production, there are great opportunities to develop the power of peer support, which really does enhance our health and wellbeing.
In these current times there is a focus on ‘lived experience’ and now being part of the VOX team (who have been representing views for many years), I am excited to promote our work and look forward to creatively engaging with more individuals across the whole of Scotland in sharing their unique views, having a voice, and making a difference.
My passion for shopping is well known to my family and friends – a girl can never have too many shoes or handbags! To balance this, I love all things “mindfulness” from candles to aromatherapy and will gravitate to anything lavender or bergamot related. I would like to think of myself as being “green-fingered”, I enjoy pottering about in my garden and have now lost count of the number of indoor & outdoor plants I have in my collection… Always room for another one!
Michelle McBride
Volunteer Engagement Officer
mmcbride@mentalhealth.org.uk
John Steel, Administration Officer
John has experience as a mental health service user since 1991 and has been a supporter of the Clubhouse movement since joining Scotia Clubhouse in Glasgow in 2001.
John has attended many Clubhouse conferences in Europe and the United States and spoke at a fundraising event at the UN in New York. He was also a Faculty Member of the International Centre for Clubhouse Development and, by being involved in the Clubhouse movement, has acquired many additional skills which he uses in his work with VOX.
As VOX’s Administration Officer, John looks after the VOX website and issues a weekly update for individual, group and associate members. John also looks after the day to day running of the VOX office and organises major VOX events such as the Annual Conference and Annual Members’ Meeting.
John Steel
Administration Officer
jsteel@mentalhealth.org.uk