Chief Executive
Amanda’s career has focused on supporting vulnerable individuals, beginning in Wills and Probate law, where she managed estates and Powers of Attorney, regularly visiting care facilities. She joined V for Life’s board as a trustee in 2009, and since 2019 she has served as Vice Chair of a charity providing therapeutic activities for people with dementia. As a licensed Talking Mats trainer, Amanda is trained to help individuals with communication difficulties express their views, focusing on identity and wellbeing in dementia care.
Director (Scotland)
For the last 10 years Kim has been a Research Officer in Primary Care, working on many studies focused on improving the health of older people. Prior to this she completed a PhD in English Literature and spent some time teaching in college, university, and adult education. Kim also worked in the theatre for a number of years and has worked as a volunteer for a number of good causes.
Kim has been vegetarian for most of her adult life and she supports a variety of vegetarian and animal rescue charities. Kim takes a keen interest in environmental issues and in promoting the well being of older people.
Chair
Barbara is a registered nurse and nurse teacher who worked in the NHS, specialising in the care of older people, for 18 years. She then joined the voluntary sector organisation, Alzheimer Scotland, where she held a variety of operational, practice development, policy and research posts in the support of people with dementia and their families for 30 years, until her retirement in November 2020. During this time, Barbara completed a PhD on stress and dementia, and worked extensively with academic partners to deliver national educational programmes to support Scotland’s Dementia Strategy. On her retirement, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution to dementia in Scotland.
Barbara has been vegetarian, now vegan, for 46 years and active in human and animal rights, and green politics throughout her adult life.
Trustee
Richard has over 30 years’ experience in Human Resources. Before retiring in 2020, Richard was Group HR Director for IVC Evidensia – a company running over 1,500 veterinary practices across 11 countries. Prior to this he spent many years working for financial services and healthcare-related businesses.
He has a degree in Accounting & Finance and a Post Graduate Certificate in HR Management.
Trustee
Sian has over 18 years’ experience in a range of Marketing and Communications roles, 10 of which have been at Senior Management level, and has a wealth of experience supporting commercial and not for profit organisations. She is currently Director of Marketing at Liverpool Guild of Students, the Student’s Union at the University of Liverpool.
Sian completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing in 2007 and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM)
With a strong passion for animal welfare, Sian has been fully vegetarian for 7 years.
Vice Chair
Val has worked in social care for over 20 years. The majority of this time has been spent working with older people in a variety of settings such as hospitals, care homes and in their own homes. She is passionate about listening and learning from older people, supporting and advocating for their rights and helping to enable individuals live the life they choose.
Val has been vegetarian since childhood and takes a keen interest in animal welfare issues and campaigns. She enjoys reading about vegan cookery and trying out new recipes as often as possible!
Support VfL's important mission.