Listening for Our Time
Wellbeing Through the Power of Listening
Our Vision
To join with others in growing both a listening culture and listening communities.
Our Values
- Accepting people as they are
- Being open and transparent in what we do and say
- Committing ourselves to quality and integrity
- Being real with ourselves and others
Our Training Team
LWS has a small team of Volunteer Trainers able to deliver courses throughout Scotland.
As our CPD accredited courses are interactive and experiential, most are delivered by two trainers.
This means we bring different styles of presentation and additional support and encouragement for participants when required.
- LWS trainers complete a robust training programme to deliver a consistent quality of training.
- Trainers are also committed to regular ‘Development for Practice’ meetings ensuring quality and standards are maintained.
- Our training teams provide in-person and virtual delivery of our training courses as part of our blended approach.
Click the link to connect with our Listening Training Programme
Registered Listening Team
Our Registered Listeners deliver our 1:1 free, confidential Listening Service- Listening Time4U (LT4U.) This is offered in-person where possible, virtually and by phone.
LWS’s vision to make LT4U, widely available in community settings including schools and health centres. All the Registered Listener volunteers complete our robust recruitment, training and assessment programme.(9 – 12months)
Listen Well Scotland knows the potential therapeutic benefit of listening is immense. The charity is committed to ensuring the integrity of the listening practice of our Registered Listeners. All Registered Listeners receive regular supervision and are covered by our Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Listen Well Scotland has a robust annual recruitment and training programme for our own volunteers. We also provide training to support areas and communities wishing to set up their own listening service.
Volunteer Support Meetings
As part of our commitment to support our volunteer teams and ensure ongoing development for practice, regular monthly meetings are held for our volunteers across Scotland. These are either virtually or when possible in-person.
The purpose of these meetings is to provide the opportunity to:
- Strengthen national and local networks
- Share and learn from examples of good practice
- Provide mutual support when experiencing challenges
- Benefit from further training on specific topics e.g. suicide prevention and autism
- Ensure ongoing Listening & Training Practice to maintain skills
Volunteer Team
Maureen Wilson
LWS North Team Service Co-ordinator and National Training Team Co-ordinator
Maureen has over 40 years’ experience in the field of listening as a trainer, supervisor and listener, working in primary care. Her background includes nearly 40 years’ experience as an NHS Physiotherapist. For a number of years she also held a voluntary chaplain role at Raigmore Hospital, Inverness working alongside staff and patients in the Macmillan Unit and Oncology and delivering listening training to hospital staff.
For relaxation Maureen enjoys nothing more than a round of golf as a member of Nairn Golf Club. When the golf is not so good, the views are spectacular!
Jim Angus
Treasurer
I spent 36 years with NHS Highland Finance Department in various roles but mainly as a Financial Services Manager. I was also 3 years with The British Legion Club in Inverness as Secretary/Treasurer and various small Charities in a finance role.
I have an extensive knowledge of finance and administration procedures and regulations. I hope my vast experience will be of help to the Board of Listen Well Scotland.
Trustees
The Board of Trustees has responsibility for the governance and strategic planning of Listen Well Scotland.
Jackie Nixon
Jackie is a retired pharmacist who worked for NHS Highland as Associate Director of Pharmacy until 2023. She has also held senior management and organisational change positions with the Health Board, and was a local post graduate pharmacist education facilitator.
Listen Well Scotland extends a very warm welcome to Jackie, our new Trustee. We look forward to all you hope to bring in support of the work of our charity through your experience, expertise and enthusiasm.
Marie Ogilvie
An appointment (January 2014) as deputy to Maureen Wilson, with ongoing development as a trainer, registered listener and supervisor within LWS, has provided exposure to the many aspects of support essential for the organisation to meet its charitable purposes.
There has been a steep learning curve resulting from needs for a variety of policies and procedures, and compliance with responsibilities relating to legislation regarding data protection, copyright, safeguarding, and risk management.
Previous experience in higher education and health service ensured familiarity with the importance of these duties, and access to training through LWS’ membership of SCVO, Volunteer Scotland and CLA (the Copyright Licensing Agency) has been valuable.
Christine Sewell
Trustee
Keen to work with children, I trained as a Nursery Nurse and worked in Social Work Nurseries where most of the young children were considered at high risk of harm. The role was challenging seeking to model warm and caring interactions with the children and in a non-judgemental way supporting parents often with their own needs. The reward of the role was seeing parents grow closer and more confident with their children.
I then undertook a degree and teacher training and worked in a range of educational settings, first teaching English and completing post-graduate studies in Dyslexia and Autism. Working with young people experiencing difficulties, I found it invaluable to build positive relationships with parents and carers. I ended my career teaching pupils with a wide variety of significant needs.
In retirement I still wanted to contribute something to my community. Listen Well Scotland Training programme attracted me as it drew on many of the skills I had developed in my working life. Being non-judgmental and open; calm and present and actively listening to others. I am now a volunteer Registered Listener as the framework we use is safe, simple and empowering. Recently I became a Trustee believing the skill of active listening is one from which both young people and adults can benefit hugely.
Heather Martin
I’ve been involved as a Registered Listener with LWS since its very early days as a charity. I came to be trained with LWS as I had benefited so much from being actively listened to. I had been increasingly worried that my mental health was deteriorating and didn't want to 'crash and burn'. Early intervention with LWS meant I was empowered to work for my own recovery. As a Listener, I hope I can offer that same early intervention to others.
My career was in nursing, with terminally ill patients, chronically ill patients and, finally, in research. I am currently a co-opted member of the Board of Trustees and want to continue to help promote LWS to the ordinary folk and organisations in the Scottish Borders.
Listen Well Tartan
Listen Well Scotland is very proud that the charity has its own official tartan. Our Listen Well tartan has been registered with The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Every tartan needs to have a story attached to it, in order for it to become registered. Please read our unique tartan story reflecting the importance of listening for health and wellbeing.