Meet the team

Ian Mackenzie is passionate about connecting people and nature to improve health and tackle climate change. As the Green Health Programme Manger he is at the forefront of integrating biodiversity and nature into health care settings and systems. Building on a 20 year career in wildlife conservation, he has a reputation for developing partnerships and collaborations that bridge the gap between conservation and other sectors. Working for greenspace scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Forrest Research he has  created partnership and projects that benefit both people and planet.

Email: [email protected]

Jane joined NHS Lothian Charity in late 2022. Jane has over 20 years’ experience supporting disadvantaged communities and people facing health inequalities, developing and leading projects in both the Third and Statutory Sectors. Prior to joining the Charity, she supported NHS Lothian as Head of Volunteering.

Outside work Jane enjoys cinema, theatre and galleries despite not having a creative bone in her body.

Email: [email protected]

Diane is passionate about storytelling and how it can inspire and engage. Working across all areas of the Charity, she plays an important role in connecting with our supporters and stakeholders, and showcasing the positive impact of our work on patient and staff experience and outcomes.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Becky Brazil is an award-winning filmmaker.  As well as making documentaries for the BBC, she has worked on many arts & community projects.  She is committed to her work at the REH and strongly believes that developing a collaborative, participatory and therapeutic environment is vital for improved health & well-being.

Email: [email protected]

Aisling will be working 3 days a week at the Astley Ainslie Hospital. She originally trained as a nurse, and has worked in social care. She has been a freelance gardener since 2016 and wellness nature guide more recently. She has also run her own volunteer group and done a wide variety of volunteering with people and wildlife over the years. She enjoys connecting people with nature and seeing the physical and mental health benefits this brings them. She thinks this role is ideal for her as she will be using the skills from all her previous roles. She will be working with patients staff and the community. Aisling loves being outside so you might find her doing some emails or meetings outside.

Email Aisling: [email protected]

Lou will be working at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh 2 days a week. Lou is a trained horticulturist, adult educator and group facilitator and has over 20 years of practical experience working in therapeutic and community settings.

Email Lou: [email protected]

Iain is an experienced arts manager with long experience across the cultural sector including working for artist-led, community arts organisations; for museums and heritage organisations including the V&A and for local authorities – in arts development and public art roles. This included periods running projects in Northern Ireland, Amsterdam and France. Iain also worked as a consultant for several years on capital projects for arts and heritage organisation, running architectural design competitions and producing business plans for clients. Prior to joining NHSLC Iain was the Executive Director of the British Ceramics Biennial for over eleven years. Iain has an MSc in Sustainable Architecture and particular interests in environment, place and bio-diversity. Iain lives in Edinburgh and is a keen amateur gardener, volunteering at Duddingston community garden.

Email: [email protected]

Laura has a background in gallery and museum education as well as mental health support work so arts and greenspace combine two of her passions bringing creativity into healthcare settings.

Laura has over 14 years of experience in community engagement and audience development work in the museum, gallery and heritage sector devising inclusive, participatory arts programmes and accessible learning resources that broaden access to culture to as wide a range of users as possible.

Laura cares strongly about co-production and representation in the arts. She was worked for City of Edinburgh Museums and Galleries, National Museums Scotland, Scottish Association of Mental Health and Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

Email: [email protected]