Team

CHAIR

Jane has a background in health, teaching and coaching. She retired in 2013 after 40 years in the health service and worked as an independent coach and facilitator for 5 years. Jane is committed to enabling those with Long Covid to get prompt effective treatment and care.

TRUSTEE

Prior to being affected by Long Covid Freja was a final year University student. She brings a wealth of experience on all social media having worked for a historic building, gift shop and the University of Aberdeen. Freja is not new to disability advocacy having grown up disabled she strives to keep inclusion at the centre of all she does.

TRUSTEE

Will has worked in the Public Sector for 22 years and has extensive experience of working within the Government across a multitude of departments. He is passionate about highlighting and representing Long Haulers’ interests, equity of care and continues to work across our various workstreams to further corporate delivery and support our manifesto

TRUSTEE

Susan Thomson brings over 30 years of experience in financial services, having worked with major organisations like Scottish Widows and RBS. She has also dedicated more than a decade to small business and startups. With two Master's degrees and a Teaching Fellowship, Susan teaches at the University of Edinburgh and has chaired the Open University Alumni in Scotland for 10 years. Since 2020, Long Covid has impacted her health, and in 2024, she joined the Board of Long Covid Scotland. She also supports community regeneration through Creative Crieff and lives in Portobello with her family and rescue dog, Isla.

TRUSTEE

Jenna has worked in the third sector for 17 years, which has included coordinating volunteer-led services and development work. Since having Long Covid in 2020, Jenna is unable to work full-time and undertake similar roles due to symptoms, but is enjoying working part-time with a local Third Sector Interface as a Policy and Engagement Development Worker. Jenna is from Aberdeen and lives in Glasgow with her partner.

Lesley joined the Board as a Trustee in August 2022. Her background includes roles in primary education, public health, health promotion and as a trade unionist. She has many years’ experience in facilitating adult learning. Lesley currently works for Education Scotland as a Lead Specialist in leadership professional learning. This was a full-time role until she was affected by Long Covid after a March 2020 infection. She now works part-time from home, and although originally from Fife, lives in Edinburgh with her teenage son. Lesley is passionate about social justice, wellbeing, rights and inclusion.

Balancing roles as a Marketing Manager in the Recruitment sector and Freelance Journalist, Rod brings over 20 years of experience in campaigns, communication and content creation. As a full-time carer for his wife, who has been disabled by Long Covid since 2020, he advocates for improved support for those affected by the condition. One of the few volunteers without Long Covid, Rod is consistently inspired by the team's resilience.

CO-FOUNDER

Lesley is an organisational development and diversity consultant, writer and mum of two. After contracting COVID-19, she joined the Long Covid Support UK team campaigning for recognition, research and rehab across multiple media, before co-founding Long Covid Scotland. Lesley is also the founder and lead of Long Covid Work.

CO-FOUNDER

Tess is an administrator of the UK Long Covid Support Group, as well a co-founder and former administrator of Long Covid Scotland. By profession a pilates and functional movement instructor, she has always been passionate about helping people, especially now there is an increasing need to support those living with Long Covid.

CO-FOUNDER

Barb is an award-winning linguist specialising in inclusive language. She has had various fellowships and residencies in medical sci-comm, and loves working with researchers and clinicians to reduce medical bias, encourage inclusion, and find patient-led support for people with Long Covid and similar conditions.

Chris has a background of citizen participation in research. He has advised on several Long Covid projects and was lead author on our report Long Covid: The Impact On Our Lives. After a long period of illness, he has returned to work with the Mental Health Foundation. His recovery has been a challenging journey of fatigue, adjustments, and acceptance. here