Posts by GCIL
GCIL Marks 30 Years at Scottish Parliament Reception
GCIL celebrated 30 years of supporting disabled people at a reception hosted by Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP at the Scottish Parliament in September. The event featured a speech from the Shirley-Anne Sommerville, MSP Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, with other MSPs attending to show their support. Our chair Dr Jim Elder- Woodward, OBE and CEO Pauline…
Read MoreMandy’s story: Finding purpose through a new kind of role
Mandy was working as an accounts assistant in the aviation industry when she started looking for a new direction. She wanted something more meaningful — a role where she could make a real difference in someone’s life. With no background in care, Mandy wasn’t sure she had the right experience. But when she saw an…
Read MoreCharlotte’s Journey in the Equality Academy
Charlotte was in the final year of her PhD in Medical Humanities (English Literature) when she applied for GCIL’s Professional Careers Programme. An academic career was becoming less viable — it would likely mean moving away from her established support network and the trusted healthcare professionals she relied on. Charlotte had always been interested in…
Read MoreHow Alan accessed specialist support through SDS
Alan lives independently in his own tenancy. He’s supported by his mum, his wider family, and a team of two Personal Assistants (PAs) that he employs through a Direct Payment. Alan has been assessed by the local authority at the highest level of need, described as ‘Complex’, and receives a Direct Payment budget for 12…
Read MoreGetting the right support: Mr and Mrs Lennox’s Story
Mr Lennox cares for his wife, who lives with dementia. At the time he contacted GCIL’s Take Control office, she had a small support package: 3.5 hours of personal care each week and two days at a local day centre. But the personal care wasn’t working well. Carers often arrived late — sometimes after Mrs Lennox…
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