Suzanne Sturrock
Clydebank
Summary
I'm a dedicated and compassionate professional with almost 30 years' experience supporting vulnerable people across the third sector. I'm skilled in providing advice, advocacy and practical support to individuals experiencing financial hardship, health challenges and complex life circumstances. I have a wealth of experience in assessing individual needs, developing person-centred support plans and helping people access financial assistance, grants, welfare benefits and community services. I'm confident in explaining complex information in a clear and accessible way, building trusted relationships and working collaboratively with housing providers, local authorities, NHS services and voluntary organisations to achieve positive outcomes for my service users. I have strong organisational skills with experience in case management, safeguarding, accurate record keeping, GDPR compliance and using Microsoft Office, Teams and database systems. I'm extremely passionate about helping people maximise their income, reduce hardship and improve their wellbeing and I'm eager to apply my extensive advice and support experience to help households reduce energy costs, improve energy efficiency and access the financial support available to tackle fuel poverty.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work history
Team Co-ordinator
GAMH North East Carers Service
2026.01 - Current
- Support a team of Family Support Workers through supervision, coaching and guidance to ensure high-quality, person-centred services.
- Manage a caseload, providing information, advice, advocacy and emotional support to unpaid carers experiencing challenging circumstances.
- Assess individual needs and develop personalised support plans to improve wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes.
- Help carers access financial support, welfare benefits, grants and community resources through effective signposting and referrals.
- Build strong relationships with carers, families and partner organisations, including health, social care and third-sector services.
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners to coordinate practical support and resolve complex issues.
- Maintain accurate records, monitor outcomes and ensure compliance with GDPR and organisational standards.
- Contribute to service improvement by developing consistent working practices and quality assurance processes.
- Deputise for the Service Manager, supporting the day-to-day delivery of the service.
Advocacy & Support Worker
Glasgow East End Community Carers
2025.05 - 2026.01
- Provided information, advice, advocacy and emotional support to unpaid carers facing complex personal and financial challenges.
- Assessed individual needs and completed person-centred Carer Support Plans and welfare benefit checks.
- Helped carers access financial support, grants, respite services and community resources through effective signposting and referrals.
- Conducted home visits, building trusting relationships while working safely and independently.
- Worked collaboratively with health, social work and third-sector organisations to coordinate support and improve outcomes.
- Promoted the service within local communities and identified hidden carers who could benefit from support.
- Maintained accurate electronic records, monitored outcomes and ensured GDPR compliance.
Wellbeing Co-ordinator
MND Scotland
2022.06 - 2025.05
- Managed national wellbeing services, ensuring people were assessed and connected to the most appropriate support.
- Conducted needs assessments and coordinated referrals to specialist services, improving access to practical and emotional support.
- Built positive relationships with clients, colleagues and external organisations to deliver person-centred services.
- Organised and facilitated online support groups, providing information and guidance in an accessible and supportive environment.
- Developed new services in response to identified needs, including a counselling service for children and young people.
- Monitored service outcomes, produced evaluation reports and contributed to continuous service improvement.
- Recruited, supervised and supported staff and volunteers to deliver high-quality services.
- Worked collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to improve outcomes for individuals and families.
Advocacy Worker
MND Scotland
2018.03 - 2022.05
- Provided independent advocacy, information and practical support to people living with Motor Neurone Disease and their families.
- Assessed individual needs and helped clients access appropriate services, financial support and community resources.
- Worked collaboratively with health, social care and third-sector professionals to coordinate support and achieve positive outcomes.
- Explained complex information clearly, enabling clients to make informed decisions about their care and support.
- Built trusted relationships with clients, families and partner organisations, ensuring people's views and wishes were represented.
- Identified gaps in service provision and worked with the Policy & Campaigns Team to support service improvements.
- Maintained accurate case records and monitored progress in line with organisational and GDPR requirements.
Advocacy & Support Worker
Kindred Scotland
2014.04 - 2018.03
- Provided independent advocacy, information and emotional support to families of children with life-limiting illnesses and complex disabilities.
- Assessed individual and family needs, ensuring they could access appropriate services, financial support and community resources.
- Represented families at multidisciplinary meetings, ensuring their views, rights and preferences were clearly communicated.
- Worked collaboratively with NHS services, Social Work, CHAS and other partner organisations to coordinate support and improve outcomes.
- Explained complex processes and information in a clear, accessible way to help families make informed decisions.
- Built trusted relationships with families and professionals while maintaining a person-centred approach.
- Maintained accurate case records and ensured confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
Carer Support & Development for Health Worker
Carers of West Dunbartonshire
2010.03 - 2014.04
- Worked in partnership with NHS services to implement the Scottish Government's Carers Information Strategy and improve access to support for unpaid carers.
- Identified hidden carers through partnership working and connected them with appropriate services, financial support and community resources.
- Provided information, advice, advocacy and emotional support, helping carers make informed decisions and access available assistance.
- Assessed individual needs and developed person-centred support plans to improve wellbeing and reduce isolation.
- Developed and facilitated specialist support groups, including Dementia Carers, Older Carers and Long-Term Conditions groups.
- Promoted carers' rights and raised awareness of available support across health and community services.
- Built effective relationships with health professionals, local authorities and voluntary organisations to improve outcomes for carers.
- Maintained accurate records and monitored outcomes in line with organisational and GDPR requirements.
Resettlement Worker
Glasgow Simon Community
1997.12 - 2010.03
- Supported people experiencing homelessness to secure and sustain tenancies, promoting long-term independence and stability.
- Provided information, advice, advocacy and practical support to individuals facing complex social and financial challenges.
- Assessed individual needs and developed person-centred support plans to help people achieve positive outcomes.
- Helped clients access housing, welfare benefits, financial assistance, mental health services and community resources through effective signposting and referrals.
- Built trusting relationships with vulnerable individuals, empowering them to make informed decisions and overcome barriers.
- Worked collaboratively with housing providers, local authorities, health services and third-sector organisations to coordinate support.
- Maintained accurate case records, monitored progress and ensured confidentiality and GDPR compliance.
- Developed practical solutions to help individuals sustain tenancies, improve wellbeing and successfully reintegrate into their communities.
Education
HNC - Business Administration
Langside College
SVQ Level 3 - Health & Social Care
Scottish Qualifications Authority
COSCA Certificate - Counselling Skills
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, Glasgow CitySkills
- Customer Advice & Support
- Advocacy & Client Empowerment
- Assessing Individual Needs
- Grants & Financial Signposting
- Case Management & Support Planning
- Partnership Working & Multi-Agency Collaboration
- Communication, Active Listening & Relationship Building
- Problem Solving & Practical Solutions
- Safeguarding, GDPR & Confidentiality
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Accurate Record Keeping
- Organisation, Time & Priority Management
- Community Engagement & Group Facilitation
- Service Improvement & Quality Standards
- Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams & Database Systems
- Full UK Driving Licence & Own Vehicle
Affiliations
- Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and my miniature Schnauzer, Finn. I love eating out, going to the theatre and live music events. I'm also aspiring to become a regular gym-goer... but Finn still gets more exercise than I do!
Professional Development
Professional Development
- Adult Support & Protection / Adult Protection Awareness
- Anticipatory Care Planning & Neurological Conditions
- ASIST Suicide Prevention
- Cruse Bereavement Training
- Providing a Compassionate Response after Suicide Bereavement
- Trauma-Informed Debriefing Skills
- Understanding Autism & Complex Needs
- Equality & Human Rights
- GDPR UK Essentials
- Health & Safety Essentials
- Personal Safety Training
- Homes for Life (Accessible Housing)
- Manual Handling
- Talking Mats
- Inclusion Ambassadors: Behaviour & Relationships
- SCVO Appraisal Training
- SCVO Coaching Conversations for Managers & Leaders
- SCVO Introduction to People Management
- Time Management in the Workplace
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Team Co-ordinator
GAMH North East Carers Service
2026.01 - Current
Advocacy & Support Worker
Glasgow East End Community Carers
2025.05 - 2026.01
Wellbeing Co-ordinator
MND Scotland
2022.06 - 2025.05
Advocacy Worker
MND Scotland
2018.03 - 2022.05
Advocacy & Support Worker
Kindred Scotland
2014.04 - 2018.03
Carer Support & Development for Health Worker
Carers of West Dunbartonshire
2010.03 - 2014.04
Resettlement Worker
Glasgow Simon Community
1997.12 - 2010.03
HNC - Business Administration
Langside College
SVQ Level 3 - Health & Social Care
Scottish Qualifications Authority
COSCA Certificate - Counselling Skills
University of Glasgow