Children in Scotland

Momo Zhong

Administrative Assistant - Learning & Events

Momo joined Children in Scotland in October 2023 as Administrative Assistant in the Learning & Events team.

Momo has more than seven years' experience in the education field. She worked in Thailand for two years as a Mandarin teacher before coming to the UK for her postgraduate study. In 2021, she achieved her master’s degree in Language Education at the University of Edinburgh. Previously, she also worked as a childcare support worker. Supporting children and young people to flourish and grow as individuals has always been her passion.

Outside of work, Momo enjoys the great outdoors, doing things like cycling, hiking and camping.

mzhong@childreninscotland.org.uk

Georgia Johnston

Administrative Co-ordinator, Services

Georgia joined Children in Scotland as an Administrative Co-ordinator in September 2023, supporting children’s services by providing efficient administration support.Georgia left her position as a children's English teacher to pursue a Master's degree in Human Rights and Diplomacy in Scotland. She was selected by the Master's programme for an internship opportunity with the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Team at UNICEF. She provided administrative support as well as research insight for projects that provided mental health care and psychosocial support to children who went through humanitarian crises.

Additionally, Georgia holds a Bachelor's degree in Diplomacy and International Relations and has been involved in student movements and social advocacy throughout her education.Georgia is passionate about expanding and developing children’s rights into policies and child care. She volunteers with the Scottish Refugee Council, helping to coordinate and arrange for activities for children.Outside of work, Georgia enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons and discovering the best boba tea combination.

gjohnston@childreninscotland.org.uk

Caroline Christison

HR Manager

Caroline took up the post of HR Manager in September 2023. She has responsibility for all people-related activities.

Caroline has worked in HR for nearly 20 years with a variety of organisations, including more than 10 years working in the charity sector where she enjoys the opportunity to make a real contribution to society. She has a wealth of generalist experience as well as specialising in Reward and Recognition and Global Mobility at the University of Edinburgh. Caroline is also a trained mediator.

Outside of work, Caroline enjoys spending time with family and friends, with a love of sea swimming and long walks with her two border collies.

cchristison@childreninscotland.org.uk

Sophie Elliott

Policy, Projects and Participation Officer

Sophie joined Children in Scotland in July 2023 as a Policy, Projects and Participation Officer. Prior to this, she was a primary school teacher with a specific interest in child-centred provision for young people with additional support needs.

Before her career in teaching, Sophie completed a bachelor’s degree in Drama and Performance where she developed a research interest in young people’s access to the arts and other extra curricular activities in Scotland. During her studies, she worked at an after school club and facilitated workshops for children at a local youth theatre.

Outside of work, Sophie enjoys cooking and travelling.

selliott@childreninscotland.org.uk

Sophie Ward

Senior Communications Officer - Membership Lead

Sophie joined Children in Scotland in July 2023. Previously, Sophie spent three years working for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra where she had the opportunity to work across its marketing activities and develop the Orchestra’s first ever digital concert season.

Sophie has ten years' experience managing projects for a number of culture organisations and charities including VisitScotland, RSPB Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland.

Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, fair-weather running and playing music.

sward@childreninscotland.org.uk

Arran Purdie

Learning & Events Officer

Arran joined Children in Scotland in April 2023, as a Learning & Events Officer.

Arran has 10 years' experience working in education, primarily in ESOL. She has taught in South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Ireland, and the UK. She has experience working with students from early years to adults.

Arran has an undergraduate degree in Film and Television Studies and a Masters of Education in Children’s Literature and Literacies for which she received a distinction. During her Masters, her research focused on bridging the gap between home literacy practices and school literacy practices with the aim of promoting equity and equality for young learners. Developing ways of enhancing the literacy experiences of young learners is her passion. She is currently also studying Digital Marketing.

When not at work, Arran enjoys practicing yoga, and expressing herself through art, including pottery, stained glass, and photography. She also loves cooking food from the countries she has lived in.

apurdie@childreninscotland.org.uk

Julie Thomson

Communications & Marketing Manager

Julie joined Children in Scotland in May 2023, as Communications & Marketing Manager.

Julie began her career nearly two decades ago in the charitable sector. After completing a BA (Hons) at Trinity College Dublin, she took up a fundraising role in the national health service in Ireland, later moving to Edinburgh to study for her MA in Marketing.

She has held communications and marketing roles both in agencies and at the Institute of Chartered Foresters, the national professional body for the forestry sector, where she helped grow and diversify their membership. Prior to joining Children in Scotland she also spent more than six years managing communications, fundraising and policy campaigns in the animal welfare sector, in her role as Communications Manager at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.

When she’s not at work, Julie loves to spend time with her two children and her springer spaniel, Albie.

jthomson@childreninscotland.org.uk

Alice Hinds

Communications Officer - Insight & Magazine Lead

Alice joined Children in Scotland’s Communications Team in April 2023, and focuses on content production for both the bi-annual Insight members’ publication and magazine web pages.

With 10 years’ experience as a writer and journalist, Alice has worked for a range of regional and national print newspapers and magazines, as well as digital titles and social media platforms. Working on a variety of topics, spanning front page splashes to celebrity interviews, magazine journalism to news reporting, her writing focuses on finding the human side to every story. Prior to joining Children in Scotland, she was a staff feature writer at The Sunday Post for almost five years, and continues to work as a freelance journalist.

Outwith work, she likes to read, practice yoga and swim, but mostly watches too much TV. She also has a City & Guilds qualification in floristry, and often designs bouquets for friends and family.

ahinds@childreninscotland.org.uk

Hannah Priest

Assistant Policy Officer - Supporting the Third Sector Project (STTS)

Hannah joined Children in Scotland as Assistant Policy Officer for the Supporting the Third Sector Project (STTS) in April 2023.

Previously, Hannah was the Elections Project Officer at Exeter City Council for the Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Election, Devon County Council Elections and the Exeter City Council Elections. Following the elections she remained at Exeter City Council undertaking various administrative roles until relocating to Scotland.

Hannah has a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy from Swansea University, achieving a Distinction. Additionally she undertook a Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics at the University of Exeter, achieving a 1st Class with Honours. Throughout her studies she placed a focus on equality and researching the impact that policy has particularly on children and women's rights.

Away from work, Hannah is an avid book collector and reader who also enjoys experiencing the diversity of music and theatre that the area has to offer.

hpriest@childreninscotland.org.uk

Jemma Galbraith

Learning & Events Manager

Jemma joined Children in Scotland in August 2022 as Learning & Events Manager. Her role is to manage the development and delivery of our learning programme, researching and creating learning opportunities for the children’s sector.

Prior to joining Children in Scotland, Jemma worked for a number of charity/not-for-profit organisations including Playlist for Life and the University of Stirling. She has extensive experience of managing events and projects locally, nationally and internationally.

When not at work Jemma can usually be found on the beach with her two young children and her dog Beauly or planning her next adventure. As a mum with a background in education and non-executive board member with the Scouts she has a keen interest in youth participation and children’s rights.

jgalbraith@childreninscotland.org.uk