Our People
Our Board of Trustees, Senior Management Team and Staff bring a wealth of experience from corporate and charity sectors to Deafblind Scotland. They all play a role in leading the organisation to achieve its overarching goals, and advocating for the rights of deafblind people to be recognised. Use the contents below to navigate to specific sections:
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Our Staff
Our Board
Issy McGrath – Chair
Issy studied at Glasgow University (Education Faculty) and graduated with a Bachelor of Education. She then went on to do a post grad at Oxford Brooks University and qualified to become a teacher of the deaf. Issy went onto work in a variety of educational settings with deaf and deafblind children, 15 years of which were at managerial level.
Issy was born with Usher Syndrome, a genetic form of deafblindness, Issy is completely blind and severely deaf.
Having worked extensively with deaf, deafblind and deafblind complex needs clients for many years, it is from this background that Issy brings substantial knowledge and experience to Deafblind Scotland, continuing to be an active player in the field of deafblindness nationally and internationally, including a study visit to Finland and building on connections with Deafblind Greece. Issy is a trained Touching Lives Facilitator where she helped to develop this peer led training.
An accomplished flautist, Issy won an award for the second time from the Elizabeth Eagle-Bott fund towards promoting and supporting her flute playing. She is currently studying a diploma in flute performance. The Royal National Institute for the Blind recently described Issy’s flute playing as “inspirational”.
Currently residing between Glasgow and Luing Island in the Western Isles, Issy enjoys going out and about and is a well-kent figure striding along with her trusty guide dog, Yang.
Irene McClure
During her working life, Irene spent time as a teacher within special education, culminating in the last 15 years as the Head Teacher of Merkland.
School for children with wide ranging special educational needs . During this time she was very passionate about ensuring that the children had the best possible opportunities to thrive and that they had strong connections with children in mainstream schools. This was a wonderful part of her career and promoting the social inclusion of children who had more difficult lives has many parallels to the work of Deafblind Scotland. She knows from this experience how easily people can be excluded and she brings this experience and passion for equality to the board.
The final 2 years of her career were spent working as an inclusion officer within East Dunbartonshire Council. She has her own experience of sensory loss, registered as severely visually impaired in 20/02/2020. Her experience of support has been positive but this isn’t the case for everyone and she wants to do what she can to support others who have had a more difficult transition to a sensory loss.
John Whitfield
My name is John Whitfield. Many of you will know me from working at Deafblind Scotland and as a member. Over the years I have worked to raise the awareness of deafblindness. I have worked alongside deafblind members to train them up to deliver awareness courses across Scotland. A number of them went on to sit on various panels including becoming trustees on the board!
As someone who is deafblind, I have a vast lived experience of the barriers faced by all of our members. Now that I am retired, I am keen on continuing to raise the profile and to ensure that, “deafblind people have the permanent support and recognition necessary to be equal citizens”
Sarah Gillen
Sarah Gillen has devoted over thirty years to the Voluntary Sector, always choosing to work for charities that inspired her. Her distinguished fundraising record includes securing substantial grants from prominent trusts, foundations, and the Scottish Government. During her 8-year tenure as the Fundraising Manager for Deafblind Scotland, she procured over £2 million from trusts and foundations to improve the quality of life for individuals living with deafblindness. Sarah has a comprehensive understanding of the day-to-day challenges for people living with deafblindness, particularly the impact of loneliness and isolation they experience. Working for Deafblind Scotland provided significant personal and professional fulfilment for Sarah and serves as the impetus for her continued involvement and wish to be a Trustee.
Her skills include strategic planning, leadership, and collaborative problem-solving. Sarah is an experienced committee member, serving on groups enhancing quality of life for people affected by dementia and promoting cultural initiatives in Largs.
Kyle Bettley
Having worked as a guide-communicator in 2005 – 2006 and having a grandfather who experienced deafblindness later in life, Kyle has always had a special place in his heart for Deafblind Scotland and the amazing work the organisation does to improve the lives of those experiencing deafblindness. It is for this reason that guiding, supporting, deafblind manual, BSL and tactile BSL are now an integral part of both his personal and professional life.
Kyle is Head of Sector for the Faculty of Arts & Continuing Education at Glasgow Clyde College, and previously worked as an External Verifier for the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). These roles have allowed him to develop a wide range of experience in inclusive education, qualification development, eLearning, commercial training, coaching and management. Additionally, he is a proficient BSL user and has excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt to the needs of each individual situation.
Equality and fairness of access are values he is passionate about and would like to contribute to building a more inclusive society, particularly one that has a greater awareness of deafblindness, communication and support needs. It is for these reasons that he offers his skills and experience to support the Deafblind Scotland board and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the strategic planning of the organisation for the future.
Our Senior Management Team
Isabella Goldie – Chief Executive
Isabella is the Chief Executive at Deafblind Scotland, appointed in early April 2019. Isabella has a wide range of experience working in charities but started her career as nurse in 1984.
For the previous 15 years Isabella worked within the Mental Health Foundation, managing See Me the national anti- stigma programme, establishing the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival, working with Refugees to establish projects such as Amaan for women who experienced trauma and developed a new service user led organisation – Voices of Experience (VOX). She supported the strategic development of mental health services in Scotland through working with the Scottish Government to develop the National Standards for Crisis Services and undertaking the Review of Mental Health Services: Commitment 1 of the Scottish Mental Health Strategy (2012-15).
Over the past five years Isabella has worked as UK Director, leading Research, Policy and Innovation Programmes for the Mental Health Foundation alongside a programme of international public mental health partnerships.
On taking up her role she is delighted to be leading an organisation with such an obvious commitment to improving lives but also to working side by side with members and those that use its services to ensure that people who experience dual sensory impairment are at the heart of the organisation.
Furthermore, she has stated that ‘it is an enormous privilege to be invited to lead the organisation through the next stage of development’.
Margaret Stygal – Head of Finance, Resources and Membership
Margaret joined Deafblind Scotland during 2012 and has responsibility for the financial activities of all aspects of the Charity. Her career has spanned more than 35 years, employed in many different environments including both public and private sector organisations.
As a member of the executive team Margaret ensures that the Charity’s financial accounting is monitored and reported to the Board of Directors. She is an integral part of the team and is pivotal maintaining and developing robust systems and processes. She is also responsible for liaising with and developing external relationships where appropriate with funders and providers alike.
Elaine Henson – Head of Operations
Elaine previously worked for a financial institution for 23 years and embarked on a massive career change when she started with Deafblind Scotland in December 2003 as Literacy and Numeracy Project Officer. Since then, Elaine has managed several projects including Community Involvement, Volunteering, Charity Shop and Participation.
Elaine achieved her Diploma in Deafblind Studies in 2009, which allowed her to broaden her skills and knowledge of deafblindness. She joined the Guide/communicator team in April 2013 and since then has completed a PDA in Supervision and SVQ 4 prior to taking up the post of Depute Manager in 2016.
Elaine was appointed Head of Operations in September 2019 where she leads service and programme operations, ensuring high-quality, empowering support for Deafblind individuals. As part of the Senior Management Team, she helps shape the organisation’s future, build strong partnerships and make sure Deafblind people are always at the heart of what DbS does.
Our Staff
Heather Black- Service Manager
Heather joined Deafblind Scotland in August 2022 as the Service Manager and oversees the Guide/Communicator service, ensuring that our members receive the necessary support from our dedicated team of Guide/Communicators. She maintains regular contact with members, their families, and various stakeholders, working closely alongside the Team Leader, Service Coordinators, and the Guide/Communicator team.
Heather has worked for various charities throughout her career and has supported many individuals with a diverse range of support requirements. Heather completed her BA in Supporting and Managing Learning Difficulties and Disabilities, during which she had placements working with Deaf children in nursery and integrated school settings. She has also worked in different service provisions, including residential care, education, and community support. Since joining Deafblind Scotland, Heather has completed her Level 3 Certificate in Working Effectively with Deafblind Manual. Heather’s focus throughout her career has consistently related to communication, in particular exploring Alternative and Augmentative Communication methods. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Heather was raised within the Deaf community and previously worked with Deaf young people in a residential care setting. Heather has her British Sign Language (BSL) level 3 qualification and enjoys having the opportunity to use her BSL skills whilst working at Deafblind Scotland; supporting individuals to live independently in their homes and the community. Heather has enjoyed expanding her BSL skills by learning Deafblind Manual, Hands-on, and Visual Frame signing, since joining Deafblind Scotland.
Helen Campbell- Senior Programme Leader, Connect2Support
Helen works is the programme leader of the Connect to Welfare Rights project which began in August 2014 where Helen and the team give advice and assistance with welfare information, benefit checks, money matters and anything to do with equal rights or access. As the project is supported by Visibility they also assist visually impaired people. The programme aim is to maximise income for sensory impaired adults by researching up to date information, distribute in accessible formats, providing home visits to complete forms and promoting independence and equal opportunities.
Helen began working with Deafblind Scotland in September 2005 as a temp answering phones and carrying out general admin tasks. She then progressed to the Guide Services Department coordinating and allocating jobs to guide/communicators. This involved working closely with both guides and deafblind service users. Helen has also volunteered with Citizens Advice in her evenings and weekends.
Helen’s background is catering and she worked in various catering management roles before changing direction and coming to Deafblind Scotland.
Ruth Hart – Senior Programme Leader
Ruth first worked for Deafblind Scotland as a guide/communicator, while at university studying Psychology in 2003. After university she completed the Diploma in Deafblind Studies and went on to run the Community Planning Involvement Project within Deafblind Scotland, then worked in several other areas of the charity.
She spent some away years in other charities across Scotland as an event manager and operations manager before returning to Deafblind Scotland in 2016.
As Senior Programme Leader she focused on equality and human rights work with deafblind people and those in wider society. The Dare to Dream project established a group of deafblind ambassadors who work together as peers, using their lived experience to ensure deafblind people’s experiences and views are heard. This group also created the Manifesto of Deafblind People’s Rights, created in consultation across Scottish deafblind people and which formed the basis for Deafblind Scotland’s 5 Year Strategy and Policy Influencing Plan 2022.
Her work focuses on leading programmes for deafblind people including BSL Cafes, Carers, consultations and others that provide deafblind people with opportunities to grow, learn new skills, have their voice heard and work towards living as equal citizens in our society.
In her spare time, she enjoys holidays with her husband, painting watercolours and crocheting.
Julie Ritchie- Development Manager
Julie joined Deafblind Scotland in August 2019 in the fundraising department. She organised key fundraising events, such as our annual Santa Dash and due to Covid-19 facilitated the transition of events to virtual and on-line activities. Julie gained her BSL Level 1 qualification in January 2021 .
In May 2021, Julie started working part-time with the Welfare Rights Team. Julie ensured anyone referred to Deafblind Scotland was receiving their maximum income and would help complete benefit application forms.
In October 2021, Julie took on the role of Senior Development Leader. Julie organises member activities both on-line and in-person at our Learning and Development Centre. She also plans excursions for members and will apply for grants for accessible equipment. She oversees our Touching Lives Take 2 project and Wellbeing projects.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys walking and cycling. She spends time with her family and is kept busy looking after her 2 young sons.
Christine Small - Team Leader, Guide/Communicator Service
Christine joined us as a Service Co-ordinator with the Guide/Communicator Service in January 2020 after working with Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland for 15 years as a Regional Trainer. She has now been promoted to Team Leader of the Guide/Communicator service.
During her time with DBS Christine has enjoyed working and building relationships with Service Users and Guide Communicators which has allowed her to build on her knowledge of deafblindness and the vital role of the Guide Service within the wider community.
She enjoys working as part of a team with her colleagues to ensure that DBS is delivering a service of high quality and meeting the needs of our service users.
Christine is married with 3 grown up children and when she is not working she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Nicola Hughes – Project Coordinator Right to Dream and Touching Lives
My name is Nicola and I joined Deafblind Scotland in September 2023 as a Project Co-ordinator. My role involves delivering training around human rights and raising awareness of deafblindness throughout Scotland. I have been involved with the deaf community for many years as a CODA. I am qualified to level 2 in BSL and recently completed a BA Hons Social Sciences Degree.
My previous experience includes working with the human rights-based organisation, The Advocacy Project, and prior to this as a Criminal Justice Worker with Police Scotland.
In my spare time, I enjoy the outdoors such as walking, hiking and cycling with my partner and our newly adopted rescue dog from Romania. I also love to travel, visiting different countries and embracing new cultures
Carolanne Martin – Finance, Membership and HR Officer
Carolanne has worked with Deafblind Scotland as an Administrator since 2007. Her role primarily involves the smooth running of all daily and monthly administration tasks associated within the Finance and Service Department, including regular contact with the Guide/Communicators. Carolanne thoroughly enjoys working with all her colleagues at Deafblind Scotland and since joining the Charity she has gained qualifications in BSL level 2. She is currently undertaking a course on Sage Financial Controller Accounting Software.
Dawn Forsyth – Welfare Rights Project Officer
I began working with Deafblind Scotland in April 2019 as a Guide/Communicator assisting Service Users to lead independent lives. BSL Level 1 2021 & currently studying for BSL Level 2.
Before working in Deafblind Scotland I ran my own business which was music classes for pre-school children. I come from a customer service background and worked in various roles in different companies for many years.
In my spare time I enjoy walking and playing piano. I organise activities & lessons for the children of my church.
Sam Kennedy – Service Co-ordinator
Sam joined DBS as a Service Co-ordinator with the Guide/communicator Service in April 2022 after taking the leap from the finance industry that she had been working in for 18 years.
During her time with DBS Sam has enjoyed meeting and continuing to meet service users and guide/communicators, allowing her to build on her knowledge of DBS as a whole and understand the vital role in which she plays as Service Co-ordinator within the organisation.
She enjoys learning new skills and has recently completed BSL Level 1 qualification. Working as part of a team with her colleagues in the DBS Office Sam is committed to delivering a high-quality service and helping to meet the needs of our service users and guide/communicators.
Sam is married with one daughter and when she is not working, she spends her time walking her dog and watching her daughter swim.
Shona Armour– Service Co-ordinator
Shona Armour joined Deafblind Scotland as a Service Co-Ordinator in July 2024. With a diverse career background, including roles in a restaurant, a brewery, the NHS, and an estate agency, Shona brings a wealth of experience to her role. Shona's interest in working in the field of deafblindness stems from her personal experiences caring for parents with physical and mental health challenges, alongside her work in NHS vaccination centres during the Covid pandemic, where she saw firsthand the difficulties faced by people with disabilities. This inspired her to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful impact, and the work of Deafblind Scotland strongly resonated with her values. Outside of work, she is a busy mum of two, balancing her kids' schoolwork, clubs, and activities, while also volunteering as the secretary for her local Scout Group and being an active member of the school Parent Council. In her spare time, Shona enjoys reading, music, and the occasional night out.
Liz McEwan – Executive Assistant to CEO/Administrator
Liz McEwan joined Deafblind Scotland in August 2023 as Executive Assistant to the CEO/Administrator, where she provides executive-level support to the Chief Executive and manages strategic meetings. Additionally, Liz takes on part-time administrative and office duties. With a background working in various charities and corporate organizations, she brings a wealth of experience to her role. Liz is motivated by a desire to learn new skills and embrace new challenges. She finds the mission and values of Deafblind Scotland particularly inspiring and is passionate about contributing to the important work the organization does for those living with deafblindness. Outside of work, Liz enjoys reading, watching TV, listening to music, and traveling.
Donna Finlayson – Business Development Lead
Donna Finlayson joined Deafblind Scotland in July 2025 as our Business Development Lead.
Inspired by the unique characteristics of dual sensory loss and Deafblind Scotland's impactful work, Donna is passionate about securing vital funding. Her role involves raising income through corporate, trust, grant, and local authority sources, directly supporting our activities and advocacy. Donna brings over 13 years of experience in trust and grant income generation, most recently with Quarriers. She is eager to deepen her knowledge of deafblindness, aiming for guide certification and learning British Sign Language. Outside of work, Donna is an active runner with Victoria Park Athletics Club, recently completing a triathlon. A personal highlight was hiking to Everest Base Camp in 2023! She also loves spending time with her Australian Labradoodle, Fallon.
