Mel started working with us part time in January 2024. She is responsible for grant applications and coordinating our Neil Jaffrey Initiative which supports disabled children and their families in north-east Scotland.
We were very lucky to receive support through NJI for my disabled son Matthew, and the difference it made to our lives was incredible. We will always be so grateful to have been given opportunities to make memories doing things as a family. To have been able to access equipment and resources through NJI which made this possible will always be incredibly special for us all.
After my son Matthew died in October 2023, I knew I needed to change direction in my work life. I wanted to do things in Matthew’s memory that were important, and to use my knowledge and experiences to help support other families. Being given an opportunity to work at GEF is the perfect new path for me and a wonderful opportunity to put my new goals into action. To give back to a very special charity that will always have a place in my heart is a wonderful feeling.
I truly understand that for families with a disabled child, every aspect of life demands an extraordinary effort. Specialist care and equipment come with exorbitant cost, which increases pressure on families who are already frustrated and exhausted. At GEF we want to recognise these families who are often overlooked, and make life even just a fraction easier, with one less thing to fight for.