Debbie Forsyth

Associate

Debbie works with Gig Buddies with Thera, a project that enables adults with a learning disability to have improved social lives. She is a passionate campaigner, a member of the Stay Up Late Scotland Committee, an Ambassador of the No Bedtimes campaign, and the New Routes Home campaign to end hospital and out of area placements for people with a learning disability.

Her passion is driven by her personal experience with her son, who is a young man who is autistic and has a learning disability. As a family they have experienced difficulties accessing education, illegal exclusion, mental health crisis, and managing a direct payment during times of crisis. They have experienced first-hand the difficulties accessing and using Self-Directed Support, and know how good it can be when it is working as it should.

Debbie is on the Board of Trustees for C-Change, and has been a member of the Keys to Life Expert Group with SCLD since 2016. She is a Partners in Policymaking graduate from 2016-2017, and has been a co-facilitator of the Working Together for Change programme since 2019.