The Inclusive Living Alliance

Moira Mackenzie is the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Innovation at Scotland’s Innovation Centre for Digital Health and Care (DHI). DHI plays a pivotal role inspiring, enabling and combining world-leading industry and academic expertise with service, business and technical innovation to create person-centred digital health and care innovations to positively impact society.

Moira maintains close working relationships with senior strategic stakeholders across the digital health and care landscape, collaborating effectively with the Scottish Government, Local Government Digital Office, NHS and Social Care Innovation Leads, third sector, academic and industry partners. Prior to this, Moira was a senior manager in the West Lothian Community Health & Care Partnership, developing and leading an integrated approach to supported/care housing and homelessness services.

Jeremy is CEO of the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (LIN), a sophisticated network bringing together housing, health and social care professionals in England, Wales, and Scotland to exemplify innovative housing solutions for an ageing population.

Jeremy is also part of the ESRC funded Designing Homes for Healthy Cognitive Ageing (DesHCA), ESRC funding Improving Adult Care Together (IMPACT) Projects. He has also commissioned and published practice papers on inclusive housing and community-led approaches to housing for all ages, coined by the Housing LIN as ‘CollaborAGE’ and hosts a knowledge exchange platform with latest policy, research and practice developments on inclusive living on the Housing LIN ‘design hub’.

Jeremy sits on the government’s UKRI Advisory Group on Healthy Ageing Challenge and was a member of MHCLG’s Home of 2030 design competition, which includes looking at new approaches to inclusive homes and communities for all ages.

Twitter: @HousingLIN

SFHA is the membership body for, and collective voice of, housing associations and co‑operatives in Scotland. 

We exist to represent, support and connect our members. Our purpose has never been as important as it will be over the next three years, as we work together following the coronavirus pandemic. 

In these unprecedented times, our vision is that our members are central to Scotland’s social and economic recovery and renewal. It is everyone’s right to live in a safe, warm and affordable home, in a thriving community. Our members are uniquely positioned as community anchors across Scotland, supporting people and their communities. 

Our mission is to sustain and strengthen the impact our members have on people and communities across Scotland.  

Public Health Scotland is Scotland’s lead national agency for improving and protecting the health and wellbeing of all of Scotland’s people. Our vision is for a Scotland where everybody thrives. Focusing on prevention and early intervention, we aim to respond to the wider determinants including place, that impact on people’s health and wellbeing. 

We are pleased to support the ISPA research given it will explore barriers created to inclusivity by the whole system and because it aims to co-produce and test solutions to overcome these barriers. ISPA should also aid understanding about inclusive places that promote independent living, contributing to places that are healthy, safe and vibrant.

Chris worked in two large local authorities in Wales and England between 1989 and 2010, in operational, strategic, policy and management roles, across housing adaptations, home energy efficiency, housing renewal, homelessness, asylum seeker and refugee services. While in local government, Chris drafted housing renewal legislation for a UK Government Office and worked on secondment to Welsh Government for a year, researching and reporting for Ministers on improving Housing Adaptations services across Wales.

Chris became Chief Executive of Care & Repair Cymru in 2010 and has been involved in Care & Repair in various capacities- partnership, board member and executive for nearly 35 years. Care & Repair Cymru is the national body for Care & Repair in Wales. We are committed to improving housing conditions, providing better services that support independent living, and campaign for improved policy and more resources that support our vision of a Wales where all older people can live independently in safe, warm, accessible homes.

Chris is currently a member of the Ministerial Advisory Forum on Ageing and the Wales Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel.

Paul Smith joined Foundations as Director in 2015, after 25 years in local government managing and commissioning a range of housing services. Paul was one of the authors of the independent review of DFG in 2018 and the subsequent guidance published in 2022, which both emphasise the importance of good design alongside function.

Foundations is the national body for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) in England. Commissioned by the Government since 2000 to support and advise local authorities and other stakeholders on the delivery of home repairs and adaptations.

Lorna joined Horizon Housing Association at the end of 2019 after working for over 30 years in local authority social work and housing services. Lorna's passion is equality and fairness, social justice and empowering people to manage and make choices about their lives. Housing is a human right, and we should all be able to live in safe, accessible, inclusive and supportive homes and communities. achieving our full potential as active citizens.

Horizon Housing promotes and provides affordable housing and services that enable people, irrespective of impairment, to live full independent lives in the community of their choice. We are driven by commitment to the inclusion of disabled people; this affects our choices and priorities, the design and redesign of our housing, properties and related support services. It also drives our focus on addressing the national shortfall of fully accessible homes for wheelchair users such that disabled people have choice and control and can live as active citizens.

The Springfield Group is one of the largest homebuilders in Scotland, its country of incorporation and main country of operation. Made up of Springfield Properties, Springfield Partnerships, Dawn Homes, Walker Group, Tulloch Homes and Mactaggart & Mickel Homes, we build high quality, energy efficient homes across Scotland.

Mark graduated from Strathclyde University School of Architecture in 1996 with a first class honours degree.

Before joining Springfield in 2012 Mark was an Associate Director Architect with ZM Architecture. Simultaneously he led a studio design unit at the Strathclyde University School of Architecture for over 12 years whilst being a Design Tutor with Oxford Brookes University. As well as the overall coordination of the Design Department and product development, Mark specialises in major projects, urban design and master planning.

An occupational therapist by trade and a longstanding member of Royal College of Occupational Therapist Specialist Section Housing, Angela Gardiner has an enduring passion for inclusive design and accessibility.

Currently leading the C~urb (pronounced curb) inclusive design team, Angela is particularly enthusiastic about the impact accessibility can have in homes by removing barriers and facilitating access, inclusion and independence.

Throughout her career, Angela has also worked with local authorities and government agencies to champion meaningful adaptations that greatly improve lives.

C~urb, LINK’s newest partner, builds on LINK’s 60 years’ experience developing and delivering innovative homes and services for people in need.

LINK is a group of award-winning social enterprise companies serving more than 15,000 customers – making it one of the largest social landlords in Scotland.

The LINK group works together to provide affordable housing, property management, regeneration, advice, financial inclusion and employability services. Since Link was established in 1962, it has become a leader in developing and delivering innovative homes and services for those in need.

C~urb harnesses LINK’s highly successful development, management and maintenance activities to deliver commercial success while creating sustainable communities.

Ed Warner founded the inclusive design business Motionspot in 2012 after his friend and Co-Founder James Taylor was paralysed in a diving accident and left underwhelmed by the clinical design and poor quality of adaptations in his home. Ed has since built Motionspot into a RIBA award winning industry leader in inclusive design. Motionspot helps to transform spaces and lives through beautifully designed, inclusive environments that deliver independence for anyone with a disability as well as those with sensory and cognitive needs, including neurodiversity. Motionspot also designs for people of different faiths and genders to create spaces that are truly equitable.  

Motionspot provides inclusive design consultancy and innovative accessible products to retirement and later developments, workplaces, the hospitality industry, care and housing providers, leisure, and retail venues across the world. 

Ed was also the Government Sector Champion for the design of Accessible Spaces and Products for a three year term between 2019 and 2022.

Helena has worked in the housing, support and VAWG sector for over 20 years. 

Since being at Stonewater Helena has headed up the organisations Wellbeing and Support Team, developing specialist services for those fleeing Domestic Abuse, enhancing our Young Persons Supported Living services and reimagining our Retirement Living Services, for those over 55, with the aim of supporting Ageing Well.  

Prior to joining Stonewater, she was Director of Operations at Solace Women's Aid, which is London's largest Domestic Violence charity - she was responsible for all operational services ranging from 21 Refuges, to telephone advice lines and IDVA services. Helena has a history in design and delivery of specialist services for rough sleepers with complex needs and is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity.

Kevin Harrison is the Director of Artlink Central and has led the charity and social enterprise for nearly 15 years.

Embedding participatory arts and design into health and social care, learning and wellbeing, place-making and community development, Artlink Central has a focus on creating more equity and social opportunity through creativity across our everyday lives and environments. As co-lead for Our Connected Neighbourhoods - a dementia inclusive initiative between Artlink Central, the University of Stirling and people affected by dementia and their support organisations, Kevin has sought to weave an arts based approach to enabling citizenship and neighbourhood based inclusion and empowerment with people living with dementia and their carers. In doing so, he has grown partnerships across a wide range of public sector organisations including with Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Canals and Stirling Council who have adopted the Our Connected Neigbourhoods approach into their cultural,  place and economic development plans. Kevin has a background in theatre and film, and has worked as an access worker for disabled professional artists before leading arts and wellbeing development for Slough Borough Council and Sense Scotland before moving to Central Scotland with Artlink Central. At Artlink Central he has been responsible for initiating a range of projects from creative social prescriptions, to social products and developing inclusive partnership based approaches to working with artists across  communities such as Scene Stirling and Camelon Arts. 

Now working as the Policy Manager for the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO) Tony’s career includes work in both central and local government and the Scottish Housing Regulator.  

His previous post as Head of Housing and Customer Service with Stirling Council included strategic control of customer service, equalities, internet communications and advice.  He has also worked on secondment to the Scottish Government developing policy in relation to private sector housing. Tony is also a former member of Shelter’s Scotland Committee and a member of the First Tier Tribunal Housing and Property Chamber.  Most recently he spent a year on secondment to Clackmannanshire Council as their head of housing.

Care and Repair Scotland aim to provide a national platform to lead, promote and support local Care and Repair teams to work collaboratively to achieve strategic outcomes by helping older and disabled persons to live independently in their own homes.

Robert Thomson has been the National Director of CRS since 2000. Prior to that he was manager of Glasgow Care and Repair and Chair of the Care and Repair Forum.

The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) is an independent charitable organisation, human rights defender and partner to the Scottish Government in the delivery of Scotland's learning disability strategy, The keys to life and the Towards Transformation delivery plan.   

SCLD is committed to creating an environment in Scotland in which systems and culture are changed to ensure people with learning disabilities have opportunities and are empowered to live the life they want in line with existing human rights conventions.

Charlie is the Chief Executive at SCLD, responsible for the overall strategy of the organisation as well as the staff team.

The Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities (SCLD) is an independent charitable organisation, human rights defender and partner to the Scottish Government in the delivery of Scotland's learning disability strategy, The keys to life and the Towards Transformation delivery plan.   

SCLD is committed to creating an environment in Scotland in which systems and culture are changed to ensure people with learning disabilities have opportunities and are empowered to live the life they want in line with existing human rights conventions.  

As Strategic Lead: Policy and Rights, Lorne Berkley facilitates SCLD's Housing Advisory Group and sits on the Scottish Government Accessible Housing and Independent Living Stakeholder Group.

Invisible Creations® is all about designing for dignity. Our aim is to design inclusive, attractive and dual-purpose products to support people to live more independently and well for longer. 

We worked with a range of people to really understand their needs, but also to understand their desires and aspirations. We wanted to shift the narrative around ageing and accessibility. To create a business that centres around inclusive design, prevention and positive ageing, with people at the heart. 

We create products that are designed to remove the negative stigma so often associated with current assistive and accessible products. We believe homes should be a haven, not a hospital and products designed to help you remain independent should be attractive, not clinical. We combine everyday household items, such as toilet roll holders, shelves and planters, with support rails to produce a range of grab rails in disguise, providing people with all the help they need to get around the home without needing to compromise on style.  

PROCare is a well-established National specialist shower and bathroom supplier which focuses on the manufacture and distribution of products that provide the best quality solutions to specifiers, contractors, and end users.  

Safe, accessible housing has the power to maintain and even improve health and wellbeing, and social connections, as people grow older. By recognising the critical link between health and housing and creating innovative solutions to adapt homes to meet changing needs we have the chance to dramatically improve people’s quality of life. PROCare and Invisible Creations® is all about designing for dignity. Our aim is to design inclusive, attractive and dual-purpose products to support people to live more independently and well for longer. 

We worked with a range of people to really understand their needs, but also to understand their desires and aspirations. We wanted to shift the narrative around ageing and accessibility. To create a business that centres around inclusive design, prevention and positive ageing, with people at the heart. 

A Talking Mat is a visual communication framework which supports people with communication difficulties to express their feelings and views. Talking Mats can be carried out physically or in a digital space, for example a tablet, laptop or computer for which we have created one of the best apps for communication disability.

Nicki joined  the Talking Mats Team in January 2016 and is our Lead Associate for Licensed Trainers. She has a background in social work and worked in adult services, latterly as a planning and commissioning officer for people with learning disabilities. She became an accredited Talking Mats trainer in 2013 and enjoys delivering training across the UK and internationally. She strongly believes that Talking Mats improves the quality of life for people with communication difficulties by ensuring that they have their voices heard.

Peter Locke is Head of Communities at North Star Housing, based in Stockton-on-Tees. He has worked at North Star since 2013 and has led on their community investment and tenant involvement work since 2017. He oversaw a complete revamp of North Star’s involvement structure in 2021 and is now working on how the organsation will meet the new regulatory expectations introduced in April 2024.

Before working in housing, Peter worked for voluntary and community sector organisations in the North East. He is a trustee for the County Durham Community Foundation and an ambassador for the Taste of Africa charity on Teesside.

North Star is an award winning housing association based in Stockon-on-Tees, North East England with c.3800 homes across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire. North Star provide a wide variety of accommodation from general family accommodation to specialist learning disability, domestic abuse and young persons services. At its core is clear social purpose, North Star care about their people and communities, collaborating to create stable, secure, supportive environments where people feel they belong. The organisation has achieved a strong reputation for living its values of being creative, connected and courageous.

Barrhead Housing is the local community housing association in East Renfrewshire. Set up in 1986, it owns around 1,000 homes for social rent and delivers a range of community services and support for local people. 

Employed since November 2020 as the senior officer, Lorna is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing. Lorna’s previous senior management experience includes executive responsibility at the Scottish Federation of Housing Association’s for Membership Services, Policy, Communications, Public Affairs, Research and Innovation. Before SFHA, she was responsible for managing the Asset Strategy, Business Planning and Strategy teams at Glasgow Housing Association; and had Research and Development responsibility at the Wheatley Group. Prior to this, Lorna worked with East Renfrewshire Council.

SCIE improves the lives of people of all ages by co-producing, sharing, and supporting the use of the best available knowledge and evidence about what works in practice.

SCIE are independent and people-focused, operating at policy and practice levels with a huge database of 'what works' good practice, eLearning tools and resources. Working beyond and across social care and health and children's and adults sectors, the organisation contributes to the development and implementation of better care, support and safeguarding at national and local level.

Rebekah Luff is Senior Research Analyst at SCIE and leads on their housing research and policy activities. Following on from the SCIE-led Commission on the Role of Housing in the Future of Care and Support, she is currently working on projects to support local areas in bringing together housing partnerships and in developing their placed-based plans for housing for older adults.

Housing Options Scotland help disabled people, older adults and members of the Armed Forces community to find the right home in the right place. We have over 25 years of experience, supporting people across all 32 council areas in Scotland. We can help if you want to rent, buy or adapt. Our friendly team give practical support, information and advice tailored to your individual circumstances. We will be with you every step of the way, for as long as you need us.

“Created by Tenants, for Tenants”, Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) is the largest social housing landlord operating in the Scottish Borders, providing over 5,600 quality, affordable homes for rent.  We provide a range of house sizes and types, from single person studio flats to family sized houses.  We are passionate about working with our Tenants, local communities and partners to deliver homes and services that meet current and future needs and aspirations.

United St Saviour’s Charity has worked to support the people and communities of Southwark for almost 500 years. Uniting the people and charitable organisations in the borough, we tackle social need through our grant making programme and offer sheltered housing for older people in  their almshouses, helping to build strong, supportive and well-served communities. 

Alison Benzimra is Head of Research and Influence at United St. Saviour’s Charity. Alison has extensive experience in the ageing research field. She has gained valuable insight into the almshouse movement and works closely with older residents, staff and academic partners on a variety of projects. Alison’s work is focused on journeying with United St Saviour’s residents to determine what aspects of the physical design, community activities and resident support model impact health and wellbeing in later life.

Through collaborations with trusted research partners, the charity’s aim is to share their findings widely so they can positively influence policy and practise both locally and nationally as our ageing population continues to increase. 

Kevin Chase is a National Development Officer with the Scottish Community Safety Network with a portfolio of Home Safety Scotland. He chairs the Home Safety Scotland Forum a collaborative approach to reduce unintentional injuries in the home and sharing best practice across Scotland. He also sits on the Button Battery Partnership a UK wide collaborative approach preventing button battery ingestion. Kevin is a recently retired police officer with several years’ experience working closely with partners across the Community Planning Partnerships. In his spare time, he is a qualified SFA coach and has been coaching children and young people for ten years

Angela joined Hanover in January 2021 and has a distinguished career in social housing having worked at a senior level for a number of local authorities and housing associations and is a highly experienced strategist and business leader.  She was instrumental in setting up and developing that national benchmarking club in Scotland and led the way in terms of improving performance management systems and customer engagement in the scrutiny of performance and decision making.  In more recent years Angela has led a number of significant social care services with the housing association sector and helped inform national policy on the integration of health and social care.

I have a background offering over 30 years multi-industry experience in the delivery and management of complex and demanding projects and services as well as organisational change and improvement.  

Having started my career as a building engineer in the construction industry I then went on to complete the Housing Studies PgDip course which sparked my interest to work in the social housing sector and now have over 20 years experience working as a senior manager with RSLs promoting accessible and inclusive housing.    

I am passionate about providing good quality homes and services which contributes to promoting accessible, inclusive and sustainable communities.  I have a key drive and focus on leadership, teamwork, strategic planning and adaptability to change and supporting people to achieve positive wellbeing outcomes for staff and tenants. 

We are a ‘not-for-profit‘ organisation which provides rented housing and low cost home ownership for people who need it.

We are registered as:

• a social landlord with The Scottish Housing Regulator.
• a charity with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator.

We have to meet the high standards which these organisations set down for Housing Associations with charitable status.

Like other registered social landlords, we have members who hold a £1 share and a voluntary Management Committee elected from among the members.

The Committee is responsible for the overall affairs but our team of professional staff carry out the day to day work who make sure our customers business is kept entirely confidential.

TPAS Scotland is a not-for-profit organisation, and independent partner providing tenant and landlord participation advisory services for over 40 years. TPAS helps tenants, landlords and communities to influence and enhance their housing rights, future of their homes, and the communities they live in.

At Key we support disabled people of all ages throughout Scotland. We believe that good support is essential for a good life and we work alongside each person we support, and their family, to help them live life to the full. People we support are actively involved in everything we do through our strong partnership with TAG (The Advisory Group) - a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation run by disabled people. TAG supports people to play a central role, alongside our Board of Directors, in shaping the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring the quality of our services.

I originally trained as a Mental Health Nurse and have over 30 years experience in health, housing, and social care. As an experienced health and social care manager, I believe in high quality support services that are co-produced and exceed individual expectations. The role of housing and the built environment is crucial, along with personalised support teams, to enable people live their best lives. I have led on several key strategic projects, including service transformation and redesign, piloting technology in care to support people stay at home as independently as possible for longer, supporting innovation from front line workers and engaging with people we support and their carers, to help make a real difference to their lives.

The Clyde Valley Group (CVG) is a thriving social business and registered charity recognised for innovative and partnership approaches to meeting community needs. Clyde Valley Housing Association, the Group’s main operating company, has a track record of delivering housing management, scheme development and high quality housing services for a diverse range of customers. We are regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR). We are also regulated by The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

 The Group’s activities cover principally North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, with further work and new homes in partnership with East Dunbartonshire. There are 2 principal companies in the Group:

• Clyde Valley Housing Association Limited
  The Group parent
• Clyde Valley Property Services Limited
  Its commercial property company (and wholly owned subsidiary of CVHA).

 Clyde Valley Group owns and manages around 4,600 properties and provides services to 3,000 factored homeowners.

 We are a highly successful developer of new affordable housing and have a strong track record in providing excellent services for a number of other associations and partners. We have an ambitious development programme and will own 5,000 properties by 2025.

Our vision is “to provide high quality homes and services that make a difference to people’s lives and their communities”. Our vision is underpinned by our values and we are committed to encouraging inclusion and engaging colleagues, customers and partners in delivering excellent services that are accessible to all."

Friend is an adult autism support group based in Airdrie, Scotland and we welcome people from surrounding areas in North Lanarkshire. We provide a safe place for autistic people or their carers to get together. A place where friendships can be made and welfare advice can be given. Somewhere the autistic adult and their carer can benefit from a listening ear that is likely to understand their experience.

Christine qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 1998 and started her career at Dingleton Hospital in Melrose.  Working in varied clinical settings including inpatient older adults, adult acute admission, and crisis services as a staff nurse and Community Psychiatric Nurse, Senior Charge Nurse in Specialist Dementia Unit, and Team Manager for community mental health teams within NHS Borders. Also was previously a project officer with Scottish Government leading on Physical Health Care in specialist dementia in-patient care.

In November 2015 the Specialist Dementia Unit team were winners for Top Team and Mental Health Awards at The Scottish Health Awards 2015 for reducing falls and length of stay.

Christine has achieved an MSc in Gerontology with Dementia Care with a particular focus on pain, assessment, identification and management for people with dementia in the acute hospital setting.

Christine has been the Dementia Nurse Consultant for over 6 years and was chair of the national group for last 2 years.  Christine is currently chair of the local dementia strategy group and leading on the development of a local dementia strategy.

Jane is a valuable member of the Centre for Inclusive Living Perth & Kinross, where she has been passionately advocating for people with disabilities. Her dedication is focused on empowering them to have an equal voice in their community.

With a diverse background spanning both the public and voluntary sectors, Jane has had a remarkable career. Initially trained as a nurse, she later shifted her professional focus to sport management and development. Throughout her sporting journey, Jane has been deeply committed to promoting disability, inclusion, and equality. Going beyond traditional sports development models, she has worked across sectors to ensure that excluded groups have access to sport and physical activity opportunities. For over 20 years, she has also dedicated her time to voluntary roles with Special Olympics, supporting individuals with learning disabilities to achieve their full potential through sports both locally and internationally.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Jane remains an active triathlete, finding joy and maintaining her health through training. She is always eager to inspire and encourage others to embrace a similar lifestyle.

In life, Jane lives by the motto of keeping an open mind and embracing others' ways of living.