Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Custom
Affiliations
References
Timeline
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Linda Johnston

Bowling,West Dunbartonshire

Summary

Results-oriented professional with expertise in customer service, communication, and leadership. Proven track record in organizational efficiency and time management, excelling in multitasking and detail-oriented tasks. Skilled in problem solving and relationship management, with strong negotiation and influence capabilities. Focused on advocacy for vulnerable populations, utilizing cultural awareness to mentor teams and drive success.

Dedicated advocacy professional with experience representing clients from diverse backgrounds. Educates and guides individuals using expert knowledge in up-to-date legal rights and entitlements. Proactive and adaptable to meet evolving case demands.

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience
2020
2020
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Advocate

Voiceability
03.2023 - 09.2025
  • Delivered SSS benefit advocacy through autonomous, home-based work.
  • Ensured individual voices were effectively heard in all interactions.
  • Provided comprehensive support and welfare rights assistance.
  • Fostered collaborative working relationships to enhance service delivery.
  • Liaised with colleagues and experts, fostering effective collaboration in complex cases.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information, upholding professional ethics.
  • Maintained accurate and up-to-date records of all advocacy cases, using prescribed formats and with confidentiality.

Housing Support Practitioner/Gifs

Action For Children
08.2020 - 11.2022
  • Contributed to Early Action System Change Team, focusing on Youth Homeless Prevention and Pathways to Housing.
  • Delivered awareness sessions on youth homelessness in local authority secondary schools across West Dunbartonshire.
  • Coordinated support initiatives for young people to prevent homelessness, offering tailored interventions and guidance.
  • Established effective relationships with young people, families, colleagues, and external agencies to enhance service delivery.
  • Provided high-quality services based on needs assessments and outcome-driven strategies.
  • Managed personal diary to ensure timely service provision while maintaining accurate records.
  • Utilised various IT systems for information capture and documentation.
  • Ensured proper care by providing emotional and physical support to service users.
  • Advocated on behalf of clients to secure rights and benefits.
  • Improved communication with service users by employing effective listening techniques.
  • Recorded progress notes timely to update client files.
  • Established and maintained working relationships with clients based on trust and non-judgement.

Support Practitioner

The Richmond Fellowship
10.2019 - 07.2020
  • Assisted individuals with personal care and hygiene needs.
  • Managed household tasks to ensure a safe environment.
  • Supported individuals exhibiting challenging behaviour with patience and understanding.
  • Engaged with individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system to promote reintegration.
  • Performed duties independently while ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
  • Administered medications as prescribed, ensuring adherence to treatment plan.
  • Developed individualised activity schedules, promoting active participation in community events.
  • Advocated on behalf of clients to secure rights and benefits.

Community Colleague

ASDA
Clydebank
09.2015 - 09.2019
  • Served as public face for local store, enhancing community engagement.
  • Managed in-store fundraising initiatives for two national charities.
  • Supported local community groups and organisations to deliver impactful projects.
  • Oversaw grant applications to Asda Foundation, securing funding for local projects.
  • Utilised digital platforms for database management and documentation processes.
  • Delivered exceptional customer service by proactively listening to concerns and answering questions.

Coach/Development Assistant

YOKER BOWLING CLUB
Glasgow
05.2017 - 05.2019
  • Established partnerships with Glasgow Life and Police Scotland to enhance community engagement.
  • Launched Yorker Bowls Academy to promote skill development, social inclusion, and fitness among youth.
  • Provided leadership by setting strategic goals and uniting local residents to address social inequality and crime.
  • Conducted research on community needs to identify barriers and develop new opportunities.
  • Raised public awareness of community issues, empowering residents to take action and voice concerns.
  • Cultivated effective relationships with local groups and agencies to foster collaboration and secure funding.
  • Organised meetings and events while recruiting, training, and mentoring staff and volunteers.
  • Mediated disputes between groups with opposing views on local matters in a professional manner.
  • Promoted sportsmanship amongst players with consistent reinforcement of ethical conduct.
  • Enhanced communication with personal development sessions.
  • Built confidence of players by offering individual praise and recognising progress and achievements.

Project Co-Ordinator

YOKER PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
04.2017 - 04.2018
  • Developed programme for two community meals monthly to combat food poverty and isolation.
  • Coordinated recruitment of volunteers to support project initiatives.
  • Collaborated with multiple government agencies to enhance project effectiveness.
  • Assessed community needs through direct communication with volunteers and user groups.
  • Delivered training workshops, enhancing volunteers' self-confidence and knowledge.
  • Identified and selected vendors or consultants to fulfil project requirements.
  • Managed annual budgets for information technology projects, ensuring financial accountability.
  • Coordinated project tasks, ensuring timely completion.
  • Kept up-to-date records on project status using advanced tracking software.
  • Worked closely with the Project Manager to define objectives, leading to clear guidelines.

HR Team Lead

ASDA
Clydebank
09.2003 - 09.2015
  • Led a team of four to manage HR operations for 12 departmental managers and 450 colleagues.
  • Oversaw core HR processes, providing guidance to team members.
  • Executed operational plans for all key HR activities, ensuring regular training sessions.
  • Collaborated with service delivery teams and stakeholders to improve compliance with employment laws.
  • Assisted in hiring new employees to support departmental needs.
  • Conducted six monthly file audits to maintain data integrity.
  • Led HR team meetings, facilitating efficient decision-making processes.
  • Oversaw recruitment procedures, securing top talent for company roles.
  • Improved staff retention rates via robust employee engagement initiatives.
  • Interviewed and hired staff fitting job and team requirements.
  • Coordinated reference and background checks for compliance with right-to-work guidelines.

Education

BA - Criminal Justice

UWS
Blantyre, Scotland

Skills

  • Customer service
  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Organisational skills
  • Problem solving
  • Multitasking
  • Attention to detail
  • Leadership
  • Relationship management
  • Networking
  • Negotiating
  • Influencing
  • Mentoring
  • Teamwork
  • Diplomacy and tactfulness
  • Vulnerable person advocacy
  • Independent advocacy
  • Cultural awareness

Custom

  • Level 1 Award in using sport to tackle youth crime, Clydebank, 2017
  • Calm Practical & Theory, Glasgow, 2019
  • Medication Awareness, Practical & Theory, Glasgow, 2019
  • Moving and Handling Practical & Theory, Glasgow, 2019
  • PVG Membership, Renewed 2019
  • SafeTALK, Clydebank, 2019
  • Self-Harm Awareness Training, Clydebank, 2019
  • SSSC Memberships (with conditions), 2020

Affiliations

  • I am a drummer with the only all female collective drumming band in Scotland and I practice every week. We support local causes and organisations
  • I enjoy long walks, mostly on the flat now, but still love to get out in the outdoors with family and friends

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Advocate

Voiceability
03.2023 - 09.2025

Housing Support Practitioner/Gifs

Action For Children
08.2020 - 11.2022

Support Practitioner

The Richmond Fellowship
10.2019 - 07.2020

Coach/Development Assistant

YOKER BOWLING CLUB
05.2017 - 05.2019

Project Co-Ordinator

YOKER PARISH CHURCH OF SCOTLAND
04.2017 - 04.2018

Community Colleague

ASDA
09.2015 - 09.2019

HR Team Lead

ASDA
09.2003 - 09.2015

BA - Criminal Justice

UWS

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Linda Johnston