Rosie has held roles in strategy, policy, research and practice in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scottish Government, Victorian Government (Australia), The University of Strathclyde and latterly Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children. She has had the privilege of contributing to major public health success stories including the first ever physical activity strategy for Scotland: ‘Let’s Make Scotland More Active’. Alongside her public sector roles, Rosie was at the heart of a local environmental improvement project ‘Bluebell Park’ which was to become a place where her community would thrive. It was as a community activist that Rosie realised the potential for environmental interventions that can positively nurture good health.
Following a volunteering sabbatical with Path for All, Rosie has been supporting the national walking charity to deliver their Step it Up strategy. She has now joined the Ian Findlay Path Fund team to work directly with communities to improve local path networks that will make it easier and more attractive for people to walk, wheel, cycle or choose public transport for local everyday journeys.
Rosie has wasted no time in getting her ‘boots on the ground’ in her new role. Within days, she was on site in Aberdeenshire to witness construction works and meet members of Westhill and Elrick community - one of the first projects to benefit from the Ian Findlay Path Fund. Rosie was inspired to hear how a group of volunteers were empowered by the support they received from the team at the Ian Findlay Path Fund to develop their plans to restore a path network that was lost following the devastation of storm Arwen.
One month on since breaking-in her shiny new work boots, Rosie has been trail-blazing across Scotland by foot, train, bike and zoom to find out about our array of projects on the ground. She has been talking to communities from the Borders to the Outer Hebrides and listening to their stories about what matters to them. Rosie is discovering that every project is unique, from the landscape to the language, to the challenges and the champions behind the cause. Rosie is excited to connect with Scotland’s communities and together they can discover ways to realise the power of the path.
If you are thinking about how an accessible path could make it easier for the people of your community to walk, wheel, or cycle for everyday trips instead of using the car, The Ian Findlay Path Fund may be the key to powering your plan.
We can help with all sorts of advice and support so if you would like to discuss your ideas with the team, drop us a line at IFPF@pathsforall.org.uk
Get inspired and find out more about the Ian Findlay Path Fund here.