Alison has mainly worked in the voluntary and education sector as a health and well being co-ordinator, trainer, advocate, freelance writer, EasyRead exponent, fighter and mother – and plays all these roles but not necessarily in the right order.
Alison has a degree in Communication Studies and writes ostensibly about bringing up her daughter with Down’s syndrome and the experiences of people learning disabilities and their carers. She has worked in health literacy for people with learning disabilities, community development and patient empowerment and engagement and ...last buzz word...co-production in health and social care.
Alison's EasyRead book on diabetes was Commended in the BMA Book Awards of 2007 and her work with young carers and mental health issues was hailed as an example of good practice in involving young people. She was invited to meet Tony Blair for services to the voluntary sector but leaves on the line prevented the assignation.
When not trying to save the universe Alison was Chair of the Twisting Ducks Theatre Group in Newcastle and a non-executive director of Thera North and runs her own EasyRead advisory service, WordsWorth.
Alison has recently moved back to Ayrshire after 30 years away and is working for North Ayrshire Council as a Libraries Development Officer specialising in user involvement in open data. Her job description specifies she has to alleviate poverty in North Ayrshire - so is hoping to do that before her 12 month post ends! Alison enjoys reading, beach combing, cyber stalking and not answering the ‘phone.
