Laura Hughes (she/her)

I joined the Board in March 2020, and I am currently the Chair.

I am a mother of 2 and also have experience in youth work and caring for children and young people.  I believe that children are our future and advocate for their rights to a safe and respectful environment where they can feel optimistic for the future.

I am passionate about art and might be slightly obsessed with rowing.

I joined the Board as I am passionate about promoting equality and share the Compass Centre’s intersectional feminist values and trauma informed approach.

By being part of the Board, I endeavour to help raise awareness and support the service provided to survivors, with the hope of making Shetland a safer place for everyone.

Carina Newell

I was interested in becoming a Trustee as I value the work carried out at the Compass Centre, and want to ensure that the centre can continue to operate in Shetland.  It is essential that all survivors of sexual harm in our area are supported to heal from their experiences and where possible, the are empowered to find their voice and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Given my professional role as a social worker, with almost 3 decades of experience working with young people and their families, I am especially interested in the early intervention and prevention work carried out by the team at Shetland Rape Crisis.

Figures for sexual crimes against children and young people in Scotland remain unacceptably high.  I believe that as a parent, grandparent, professional, and through my own personal experiences, I have a responsibility to be part of the wider movement seeking to reduce those numbers.  I welcome the opportunity to volunteer in my time, to ensure the staff at the Compass Centre, and their young volunteers, can continue to engage in the invaluable preventative work carried out with the young people in our local area.

In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors, photography and I especially love spending quality time with family and friends.

Lindsey Manson (she/her)

I joined the Board in 2021, I am currently the Secretary.

I am an experienced therapist who works as a full time School Counsellor.  I am actively dedicated to upholding and respecting children’s rights in my work. I am also very passionate about supporting and advancing women’s rights, trauma informed self care in the work place.

Outside of work, I love to be at home, walking my dogs and being creative.

Gemma Graham (she/her)

I joined the Board in March 2023, and I am the Treasurer.

I work in Early Intervention for Family Services, and I’m very passionate about supporting others and our community.  I never shy to challenge the status quo and advocate for equal rights and a safer Shetland.

I joined the Board because I wanted to contribute to making a difference to those who need to access the Compass Centre.  Having seen first hand the work they do, it is invaluable to those who have survived sexual violence. I believe we all have a responsibility in educating ourselves and others, to challenge behaviours and to shape the world for a better future for generations to come!

In my spare time, I continue helping others by volunteering for other organisations in Shetland, managing my own business, enjoying sea swimming, being with friends and family, a coffee enthusiast, and of course, being a cat mum to my rescue cats Beau and Bertie.