5 minute read
Meet our New CEO
Meet our New CEO : Louise Hunter
Ryan Bazga, Editorial Assistant
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Who Cares? Scotland has just welcomed its new Chief Executive, Louise Hunter into her role. Louise replaces Duncan Dunlop, who was previously Chief Executive for 9 years. I got the chance to interview Louise for SpeakOut before she started, so that our members could get to know her a little bit. We would also like to extend our thanks to Duncan Dunlop for his hard work over the last 9 years and we look forward to seeing what Louise has to offer in her new role. Ryan: Can you tell us a little bit about your journey to becoming Chief Executive of WC?S?
Louise: I went to university to study psychology despite being encouraged to leave school at 16. I see myself as being determined more than academically clever. During Uni I had a couple of primary school placements. There I saw lots of vulnerable children and realised how powerless teachers were given the nature of their role. So I moved onto RAMH (Renfrewshire Association of Mental Health) where I was a Support Worker. Then I worked in Homeless Units. Whilst working for Quarriers I witnessed the Care System – young people would arrive, dragging bin bags full of their belongings. I saw how little they had, and how important those few possessions were to them.
Then I worked for Glasgow City Council in the Criminal Social Justice department. Unfortunately, here I felt there was too much system and not enough engagement, which didn’t sit with my values. So then I moved to SACRO (Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) and worked as a Youth Practitioner. Here I feel there was a recognition that punishment for crime doesn’t work. Kids just get records. I worked on an interesting project here that looked at bringing young people who had committed minor crimes together with the people they had committed crimes against.
I then worked for Community Safety Glasgow which was affiliated to Glasgow City Council. I led many services including restorative justice and human trafficking.
Then I became a Director at YPeople which was a national organisation supporting people who were homeless and young Care Experienced people.
During that time, I adopted my son who was 20 months old.
I then became Chief Executive at Visibility Scotland. Here I learnt lot of transferable skills, about what it takes to be a Chief Executive. When I heard Duncan was moving on, I knew I wanted to apply and get back to working with Care Experienced people. It was a tough recruitment process. You don’t just turn up for an interview. You invest emotionally and have to be prepared to make yourself vulnerable.
I have cared about all the causes I’ve worked for, but this means something deeply to me. My heart is in it.
Ryan: That sounds like a very interesting journey. What do you hope to accomplish for the Care Experienced community as Chief Executive of WCS?
Louise: I hope to bring my past work experience and my personal experience with me. It’s difficult to say exactly because I’m not in post yet. But I want to create an organisation that is sustainable. I like the fact that Who Cares? Scotland and its members see themselves as a family. I want to do what I can to support that family. I’m also very aware that this is job isn’t about me – the Care Experienced voice must be paramount.
I would like to get WC?S around the right tables. Get it noticed by some new faces.
There is huge opportunity in The Promise and I want
to make sure WC?S are alongside that and make sure that Care Experienced People are represented.
Ryan: What are some of the challenges you expect to face whilst in your new role?
Louise: Getting to know a new organisation is always the first challenge but I am already making an effort to do this. I have attended a Board committee meeting and will do as much as I can so I can hit the ground running when I officially start in December. Most importantly, I want to listen to our members, because what is an organisation without the voice of its members being taken into consideration?
I want to work with members. What’s working for them? If people aren’t members, why not? Also, whilst acknowledging we are in a different time with the pandemic.
I want to listen to make sure that people’s voices are heard. I want to acknowledge the past, but I am here for the future.
I want to be effective quickly. Things are happening now.
Ryan: We are obviously in difficult times with the Coronavirus pandemic, which poses new challenges for the Care Experienced community. Do you have any words of re-assurance for our members, some of whom may be struggling in the current situation?
Louise: Re-assurance is difficult right now because of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. But no matter what, WC?S will be there for members – however we can be. We will still be here, and we will continue to reach out to people who aren’t members too.
Ryan: On a lighter note, what are some of your hobbies?
Louise: I’m an outdoorsy person. I have a westie called Archie and my son, who is now 5 year old, we all love going for walks on the beach.
Ryan: Do you have a favourite TV show/film?
Louise: My favourite film is Eat, Pray, Love because it’s about finding yourself and going with your heart.
Ryan: What is your favourite food?
Louise: My husband is a fussy eater, so he makes things tricky but I like all sorts. I have been eating a lot of Thai food recently because some of my family are vegan, and you get great vegan Thai recipes.
Ryan: Are you into sports?
Louise: During lockdown I’ve been using the Couch to 5k app, which has surprisingly been very enjoyable.
Ryan: What is your dream holiday destination?
Louise: I would love to go back to South Africa. My brother lived there for 8 years so I have fond memories of being there. It was a magical place. I even did shark diving.
Ryan: And to round things off, JAFFA CAKES. Are they biscuits or cakes?
Louise: Biscuits! If someone told me they had cake and I was handed a Jaffa Cake, I’d be disappointed!
