Personal Statement

David has been living with the long-term side effects of a childhood Medulloblastoma since the age of four. By definition when it comes to the social model of disability David is a foremost expert by experience. Despite the obstacles David has been required to overcome, David has achieved an MSc in Social Innovation. David would provide your organisation with thirty-four years, of lived experience overcoming many obstacles in society. A society where the medical model states David should have a maxim of five years to live.             

Education            

2019-2021 MSc Social Innovation, Glasgow Caledonian University

Primary Subjects: Human rights, gender, and development; Applied professional practice; Project management; Applied social marketing; Social innovation and alternative economic forms; Global social entrepreneurship; Microfinance: theory and practice; Ethics, governance and responsible leadership.

Dissertation: ‘why is there a subjective well-being premium in voluntary sector employment?’ Primary data in the form of one-to-one interviews- qualitative research – analysed using thematic analysis informed the methodology behind this research. The finding of this research forms the grounded evidence for David’s improvement project – Scottish Social Service Council training. Which is looking to improve social capital- change method- for improving employee well-being. 

2014-2018 BA (Hons) Politics, Philosophy and Economics, The Open University 

Primary Subjects: Introducing the social sciences; Power, dissent, equality: understanding contemporary politics; Exploring philosophy; Running the economy; International relations: continuity and change in global politics; Doing economics: people, markets and policy.

2003-2005 BSc Multimedia technology, Glasgow Caledonian University

2001-2003 HND Information and media technology

Research experience   

BSc third-year group project

In addition to the academic research outlined above, David completed a group research project in 2004 as part of his BSc in Multimedia Technology. This third-year group project used secondary data to develop (on paper) an interactive digital home. David’s task allocation on the project was communications and networks.

People Powered Health and Wellbeing reference group (The Alliance)- Action research

The people-powered health and well-being reference group was the Alliance Scotland’s/Scottish Governments action research program. Said program informed the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014. The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014 was educated in part by action research the reference group completed. The reference group’s overall question tackled: ‘can inclusion and engagement in activities promote health and well-being, and if so, how?’ David’s contribution to the research used a mixed-method approach to identify if young cancer survivors perceived a well-being increase due to engagement in a peer support group.

Skills/ Qualities   

Policy: As a member of the Alliance Scotland, David has first-hand knowledge of how the third sector interface and policy networks operate in Scotland. Membership in a UK-registered political party means David’s knowledge of policy dates back to his first national conference in 2007.

Networking/communications: Networking to achieve an outcome- typically policy outcome, is not a simple task. It requires written and verbal communication. Having given speeches at political/union/ conferences, David has become efficient in these skills. David has also provided supportive written evidence for motions for consideration at the national meeting (AGM). 

Office Skills: broadly, the reference is to information communication technology which includes knowledge of all MS Office programs and other commercial programs. David also provided administrative support in a Cross Reach office.     

Work experience  

2010-present Sainsbury’s Plc, customer experience assistant

• Worked as part of a team: coordinates with the team leader to oversee the operations required to complete the workload.  
• Customer Services: provide stakeholders with product knowledge and resolved queries    
• Checkout assistant/coordinator: operate tills both colleagues performed and self. Oversee close down procedures, i.e. cash management reports.    
• Sale floor: replenishment of stock, stock control and stock life cycle management
• Interpersonal relationship building: David’s project with the Scottish Social Services Council is looking to improve colleagues well-being in store. The change method for achieving this is via increasing social capital – starting with a book club.   

2014-present Health and Social Care, member   

• People-powered health and well-being reference group: provided supportive information to the Scottish government The Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014
• The Scottish government’s community eye-care review: Patient representative.
• Scottish Social Services Council’s Scottish Improvement foundation skills training: change aims, methods and data measurement.
• Networking for outcomes: David takes part in membership events to support colleagues.   
• Policy design: feeds lived experience and knowledge into policy networks.