ORGANISATION UPDATES

Our New CEO - Maureen Morrison

Spinal Injuries Scotland (SIS), is a Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) and a leading peer support organsation for people with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), their families and carers. We are a charity that wants to make a difference in society.

We are ambitious to achieve positive change so that people with a spinal cord injury can live their daily lives in a more equal environment We are a national organisation with a membership and peer support reach throughout Scotland

The Board of SIS is pleased to announce that Maureen Morrison has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the charity Maureen, former Operations Manager for SIS, will take the charity through our five-year strategy This is a crucial stage for our charity as we grow and develop to meet our member’s needs

Maureen has an SCI and offers valuable lived experience as well as a wealth of knowledge built up from listening to our members, our stakeholders (including the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit) and those who turn to us for support

When Maureen had her SCI in 2007, life for her changed forever but she was determined that her injury was not going to hold her back Maureen joined the charity in 2013 as a trustee and then in 2017 progressed to the operations side In the last few years she has capably steered us through the pandemic, ensuring support services remained available In her time as Operations Manager, Maureen has been key to our fundraising activities, allowing us to ensure financial stability at challenging times

As part of the strategy, the charity will be recruiting a new Operations Manager who will work with Maureen to grow, strengthen and deliver our strategy and strategic aims through our Peer Support Networks, staff team and membership Our core principle remains supporting and meeting the needs of our members, their families and carers

New Ambassador - Michelle Moffatt

Spinal Injuries Scotland are delighted to welcome this one woman whirlwind - Michelle Anna Moffatt - to our Team of Ambassadors.

She has supported the charity with her fundraising efforts in 2022 and has inspired many with her story Our ambassadors represent the charity in lots of different ways in raising awareness of the needs of our members living with a spinal Cord injury

At the tail end of last year, we were delighted and beaming with pride, that our Peer Support Co-Ordinator Laura Torrance, had been nominated for the Glasgow Times Community Champion Awards in the INDIVIDUAL AWARD (North West) Category.

“Laura Torrance lives with a spinal injury and now provides peer support to others in need Her kindness and understanding have helped many people face the challenges of living with a spinal condition, who might otherwise have had to cope alone ”

“Hi guys! My name is Michelle, I am 41 years old (don’t tell anyone) and I have a spinal injury due to Cauda Equina Syndrome and post operative clot

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I am L1 incomplete. I was a registered nurse working in Intensive Care prior to my injury In all honesty, the first 2 years post operative I was in denial. I did not want a wheelchair, I was so depressed. I became suicidal and when I found Spinal Injuries Scotland, I realised I have a life - and a purpose.

Adapting to spinal cord injury is not easy, but I promise you can learn to accept the new body you are in Spinal Injuries Scotland were pivotal to my recovery.

I now hand cycle, I’m still a registered nurse and I have my own business. It is okay not to be okay…… and it is normal to struggle. However, this amazing charity have saved my life and I want to help others too!

I’m honoured to be an ambassador for a charity who genuinely strive to help as many living with spinal injury as possible regardless of reason ”

~Michelle Moffatt, Ambassador

Welcome to the team Michelle!

These awards have been rewarding locals who make Glasgow a better place to live for 15 years The awards go right to the heart of communities across the city So far, more than 1,000 community champions have been recognised as finalists and winners Community champions are recognised across nine categories

The range of categories, paired with the area-by-area approach, gives the awards a unique ability to reach and reward those whose efforts may otherwise go unnoticed

Members of the public were asked to vote for their favourite nominees in each of the categories, those with the most votes in each region then went in front of a judging panel to decide the overall winners

Laura went on to win her heat and made it through to the finals The grand ceremony took place on Thursday 8th December where Laura was narrowly pipped to the overall prize by a deserving winner, Kenny Trainer from Bluevale Community Club

Well done Laura!!