Ali Garrow – Secretary
A former police hostage and crisis negotiator, Ali Garrow has spent a lot of time supporting people through difficult times and learning about the emotional ups and downs of life. During his later years in the police he developed wellbeing programmes to support officers who had encountered traumatic and life-changing circumstances during the course of their duties. As a keen paddler he combined his love of water-sports with his practical insight into mental health and developed the paddlewell initiative.
Ali is educated to Masters level and is a qualified adult education tutor. He provides various communications skills workshops and peer-support education alongside his kayak coaching. He has also carried out research projects in the UK and US into volunteer management systems and has been inspired by the many ordinary people whose commitment to charity have made significant differences to the lives of others.
Leeanne Mackay – Treasurer/Learning and Development
Leeanne currently works as a Trainer / SVQ Assessor within the Social Services and Healthcare sector and believes in the power of continuous learning and development to enhance one’s confidence and well-being. She incorporates the use of “blue spaces” such as oceans and lochs to support self-management in mental health, she is committed to guiding others on their journey towards personal growth and emotional resilience.
A dedicated individual with a passion for helping others. With an extensive background working for NHS Highland Care at Home / Enablement Team she has a deep understanding of setting small achievable goals to enable individuals to regain skills and independence lost due to ill health.
Along with her SUP instructing, Leeanne is a qualified Yoga teacher and has brought this practice to the water with her Yoga Bliss classes. Supporting individuals to slow down and calm the mind with different sequences and breathing techniques. The gentle movement of water offers calming effects and supports to reduce stress and promotes a sense of inner peace. A refreshing and rejuvenating way to connect to mind, body, soul and the elements.
Christine Hogben – Chair
Christine has been involved with coaching, development, learning and change throughout her career both in the outdoors working for charities, mutual and private commercial companies. Throughout her passion for helping others understand themselves and increase their self-awareness around learning and relationships has been a common theme.
In the last decade Christine has focused on diversity and inclusion within the work place and in the outdoors. She contributes as part of the equality groups with the Scottish Canoe Association who are supporting the goal for paddle sports for all – opening up the water to all groups with a particular focus on female and groups with Mental Health and wellbeing needs.
Along with post graduate qualification in development and coaching Christine is a qualified canoe, sea kayak and paddle board coach and leader.
Having always been aware of the calming and positive effects of the outdoor space and the opportunity for social interaction this became more obvious as her peri menopausal mental health challenges developed. As a trustee she looks forward through Blue Space Highland to supporting you explore if this space can help you through the day to day mental health and well-being challenges of life .
Fiona MacColl
A recent job that involved sitting in a room with no external windows for 8 hours a day brought home to me the physical and mental benefits of daylight, movement and fresh air!
Most of my hobbies involve being outside and I am aware how much better I generally felt when I managed to fit those activities into my day. I am also very aware that a lot people find it difficult to access these sort of activities due to pressures on time, finances, lack of opportunities or the confidence to try something new. Having previously been a facilitator on the Paddlewell initiative I saw firsthand the hugely positive effect a day on the water had on people and hope as a trustee of Blue Space Highland to bring these positive benefits to more people. As a Paddlesport instructor and Sea Kayak Leader I love introducing people to the sport and
seeing their smiles.