Linda Tuthill

Linda has worked in the voluntary sector for 40 years as a volunteer and a paid worker, with people with learning disabilities, children in a residential school and for Women’s Aid, etc. Politically and emotionally, Linda was drawn to tackling inequality issues for those who could not always speak up for themselves. Resettling from long stay hospitals in London and in Edinburgh allowed Linda to see how closing institutions and giving people equal rights as citizens in their community, made life better for the person as well as better for communities and society too. As a long-standing employee of The Action Group, a Voluntary Organisation that provides quality services to children and young people with various support need, in Edinburgh and the Lothians, she has held a variety of roles, including being CEO for the last 7 years. She remains committed to ensuring that both The Action Group and the sector make life better for those who use services and that the staff who deliver these services are given equal regard to public sector staff - through Fair work become a reality sooner rather than later.

For 10 years Linda was on the Board of LGBT Youth Scotland that provided services to young LGBT people and pushed for equality and rights for this group, at a time when this was not part of the political and social landscape of Scotland or the UK. She then joined the Board of P42 a social enterprise gym that offered physical and mental wellbeing services in Edinburgh. Linda has a passion for coaching and leadership of individuals and teams, and has completed various training courses in both areas, including becoming a qualified Gestalt Coach (Advanced- Kinharvie Institute) and a qualified Counsellor at Diploma level (Edinburgh university). She believes that everyone can achieve their full potential only through the right spaces, support, and services - for both citizens with additional support needs and for staff within organisations that support these citizens to have the equality they are entitled to.

She has a Psychology Degree (BA Hons), from Strathclyde University, an OU Management qualification, a Diploma in Counselling (Edinburgh University) and a master’s in social policy (Edinburgh University).

In her spare time, Linda enjoys being in nature, walking her 2 dogs and spending time with her 2 cats, her partner, friends and family. She spends a lot of time in different parts of Scotland in her caravan, playing Canasta and reading, as well as watching superhero films