Our team

Since joining VHS in 2012, Claire has led a programme of change to transform the organisation into an energetic, collaborative and influential network of Scotland’s voluntary health organisations. Claire has strengthened VHS’s governance, accountability, resources and profile, refocusing VHS on its membership and creating a new corporate identity and strategy. She is proud to lead a highly committed and skilled staff team and to work with an excellent Board of Trustees. She was appointed a Fellow of ACOSVO in 2019 and elected an Honorary Member of the Faculty of Public Health in 2020. She is a Member of  the Institute of Leadership and Management and Associate Member of the Royal Society for Public Health. She is a founder member and Secretary of Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland.

Under Claire’s leadership, VHS’s achievements have included the Engagement Matrix (strengthening NHS and third sector engagement), Living in the Gap (shining a light on third sector approaches to health inequalities), Gold Star Exemplars (mapping third sector approaches to community link working), Clear Pathway (supporting safe, effective and person centred volunteering in health) and The Zubairi Report (reporting on and making recommendations on loneliness and social isolation). Other noteworthy achievements have been the Cross Party Group on Health Inequalities (VHS became Secretariat in 2015) and VHS’s successful campaign to secure a more inclusive and equalities focused Covid-19 vaccine programme for Scotland. In 2021 Claire instigated VHS’s establishment of the Scottish Community Link Worker Network, a fast growing community of practice and peer support for link workers embedded in primary care.

Lauren joined the VHS team in January 2015. Her role is to develop our programme of consultation events, seminars, workshops and conferences and ensure they are useful, of high quality and engage our members and other stakeholders. Lauren’s role includes establishing new event partners to enable us to extend our reach and capacity. Having previously worked in creating and managing a programme of policy conferences, seminars and award dinners across the UK, Lauren brings nearly two decades of event management and marketing experience to the VHS team.

Kimberley took up the post of Policy and Engagement Lead within the VHS team in September 2021. Her role is primarily focused on delivering an effective programme of policy, research and public affairs work. This includes engaging with VHS members, networks and other stakeholders to support a two-way flow of information and ideas to policy makers. Her background in political monitoring and communications will provide the groundwork for her role in analysing and translating policy for and with VHS members.

Roisin  joined VHS as Network Development Officer in 2021, on secondment from Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC). Roisin has successfully established the Scottish Community Link Worker Network, the national network and community of practice for Community Link Workers in primary care practices in Scotland. Roisin is now working full time with us as the Project Manager for the Network.

Kellie joined the VHS team in October 2023. Her role as Communications and Membership Officer involves helping maintain and grow our membership base, deliver a range of VHS communications; including the website and social media and support the teams events programmes. Kellie has a background in marketing and publishing and has worked for the private and charity sector, including a carer’s advocacy charity in Edinburgh and an international aid charity in Australia.