IWORK4ME is led by a small group of volunteer trustees with a personal interest in autism or a background from either autism service provision or business/enterprise development.
Current members of the IWORK4ME team include:
Trustees
Richard Ibbotson, BPhil Autism, RNMH, (Chair of the Board of Trustees)
Richard has a background in the development and management of services for people with learning disabilities with a focus on autism at a senior level since 1995. Currently he is the manager of Support Choices in Perth and Kinross, supporting people to access Self Directed Support. He is also a freelance artist and an independent autism consultant working as part of ‘The Autism Network’. He has been a member of the Scottish Governments’ Autism Strategy Review Group and a number of other local and national strategy groups. Currently he is the Chair of the Coalition of Senior Professionals in Autism (CoSPPA) and also on the Board of Life-Pod, supporting people with Hoarding Condition. He has presented at National and International conferences and is passionate about ensuring that autistic people across the spectrum are enabled to be independent and valued citizens.
David Bain, (Retired) Client Services Manager, Intowork
Intowork has been supporting people with autism (and other disabilities) into work since 1993. David has a natural interest in how self-employment could be used as a positive alternative for people wanting to develop their own business rather than work for someone else.He considers IWORK4ME an ideal source of support through which to promote the benefits of self-employment for people on the autism spectrum, who often have inspired and creative ideas and with the right support, these can be turned into commercial ventures providing both income and occupational fulfilment.
Leo de Feu
Leo is a well-known Scottish artist whose first-hand experience of self-employment commenced after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 2006. Nature, wildlife and conservation are Leo’s inspiration in both art and life. He has received various arts awards and exhibits regularly across Scotland and the UK. He has published two books and is often called up to give talks and provide writings about his worldwide art/nature/travel explorations. For Edinburgh based charity Art in Healthcare, as well as for schools and the wider community, he runs art sessions and demonstrations. He has a close family connection with the service provided by IWORK4ME and is delighted to be a member of the Board of Trustees.
Andrew Horseman (Secretary) Employment and Training Coordinator, Autism Initiatives Number 6 Service
Number 6 is a service for adults with Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism and Andrew has worked for the service since it began in 2005. Prior to that he worked with adults and children across the autistic spectrum and with young single homeless services.Andrew’s focus on employment advice and support has brought him into contact with a very wide range of people. It is their experiences and perspectives on meaningful and sustainable work and activity that has shaped his approaches. Through listening and collaborating, Andrew values the shared understandings that have been developed and continue to inform the many ways that people can connect to employment.
Isobel Gray (Treasurer)
Isobel became the treasurer of IWORK4ME at the beginning of 2014, after retiring in 2013 from being a partner in a medium sized firm of chartered accountants, specialising in the accounts of charities. She has also been the treasurer of a local charity working with people with mental health issues for over 20 years.Isobel enjoys bringing this knowledge of charity accounts and self-employment to the development of IWORK4ME.
Staff team
Sue Hope (Development Manager)
Sue Hope has been involved in the voluntary sector, both on a personal and professional level for nearly 30 years, and is a former member of the Institute of Fundraising (Scotland) Executive Committee. She has worked for a number of Charities at local, national and international level, gaining extensive experience in all aspects of income generation and Charity development.Sue also has a personal knowledge of self employment and was involved for a number of years with Clydesdale Autism Support Group as a member of their management committee.
Bryce Potter (Operations Manager)
Bryce has worked in the voluntary sector since 1996, principally in the field of fundraising. Since joining the organisation in 2013, his firsthand knowledge of self employment has proved invaluable in driving forward and expanding the IWORK4ME Business Mentoring service. His direct, upbeat and friendly approach ensures clients achieve and exceed their goals whilst feeling well supported.
Lisa Houston (Communications Support)
Lisa has over than 12 years experience working in the not for profit sector, 10 of which as a self-employed print and graphic designer, marketing and communications consultant with a further 30 years experience in personal assistant, administration and secretarial roles. Lisa updates our IWORK4ME website, manages our social media platforms and provides administrative support to the team developing and submitting funding applications.
