SOPA Trustees

David Paterson, Chair

Prior to retiring from the NHS, I was a director of two local mental health charities and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Following retirement, I joined the NHS Retirement Fellowship subsequently being elected as treasurer of the local branch, honorary secretary of the Federation of Scottish Branches and country representative on the national Board of Trustees where I am a member of the benevolent committee and the audit, risk and investment committee. I was elected as chair the Falkirk Older People’s Network in 2019 and am a volunteer befriender and volunteer advocate.

With my background in management and understanding of the third sector, I believe I can contribute to the aims of the Scottish Older People’s Assembly.

Harriette Campbell, Vice Chair

My name is Mrs. Harriette Campbell. Retired Nurse from the NHS since 2004. An Activist in my community, I advocate lobby and campaign tirelessly for equality and diversity. In July 2021 I was awarded an Honorary degree (Doctor of Science) from Glasgow Caledonian University in recognition of my outstanding community engagement over 30 years supporting African and Caribbean women in Scotland, many from the nursing profession. I have been attending SOPA’S events since December 2013 as an individual. I noticed that there has been absence of my community in all the events that I have been attending for years.

I am interested and I wish to apply for the role of a trustee in SOPA’s Board. I am team player, also been volunteering for decades in forums and organisations. I am confident I will follow the guidelines as require to be a trustee as I will be someone representing from a minority group. I will use my expertise, also willing to learn as I go along. I love helping and bringing people together. The reason why I help set up the African and Caribbean Elders in Scotland (ACES) which is a recognised member of SOPA.

Teresa Lavery, Vice Chair

I worked in local authorities in planning and evaluating public services and, in the last 10 years, I worked specifically in health and social care services. Five years of that time were spent co-ordinating work on the Scottish Government’s Reshaping Care for Older People in Stirling and in Renfrewshire.

I did a lot of work in public consultations on services and in building relationships between service providers and service users. Much of my work was organising and supporting the strategic work of senior managers in Health and Social Care in developing, delivering and evaluating services. I also did a lot of work with voluntary sector organisations to help them develop in ways that equipped them with the business skills to bid for, and deliver, local services under contract with local authorities and the Health and Social Care Partnerships.

Between 2004 and 2009 I was a self-employed consultant, providing research, business and strategic planning services for public agencies and voluntary sector organisations.

I am enjoying my retirement, spending time on my hobbies and recreational activities but I have also been considering how I might use the skills and the knowledge acquired throughout my working career for some worthwhile purpose on a voluntary basis. In my field of work I was, of course, aware of the work of SOPA and I think that I could offer some useful support in SOPA's activities.

Catriona Mason, Trustee

My name is Catriona Mason and I have been a Trustee of SOPA since October 2020.

I am Chairperson of Seniors Together in South Lanarkshire, a founder member of Hamilton and District u3a and a volunteer tutor with R:evolve, an upcycling charity in South Lanarkshire.

Having spent almost 38 years in education, I am using my retirement to help provide a voice for older people, to promote lifelong learning and to help prevent unwanted textiles ending up in landfill.

I am interested in helping older people remain active, healthy and involved in life choices. My hobbies are crafting, quilting and motorhoming and try to do them all at once when possible!

Margaret Fisher

I am a qualified and experienced in human resources and for twenty years served as a non-legal tribunal member with the Employment Tribunals Service before retiring last year. I also worked hearing appeals for certain disability social security benefits. During my career, I lived in Inverness working for Highlands & Islands Enterprise, following ten years co-managing a limited company consultancy business from start-up. My experience also includes marketing, finance and business studies training. I now live in Glasgow.

My tribunal work and training in equality and diversity has made me more aware that attitudes to old age and age discrimination, despite legislation, have not improved over several years within society to the same extent as have attitudes towards some other protected characteristics. I would like to work towards improving attitudes towards older age and believe mental and physical health and being as active as possible are important. As growing older is common to everyone in life, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background, it should ideally be a happy, healthy, fulfilling experience we work towards in a modern Scotland. I would like to be able to contribute to that goal.