STAY UP LATE SCOTLAND
Meet The National Committee
Michael McEwan
Chairperson
I first was aware of this campaign when I attended a Dates and Mates event in The Arches in Glasgow, as it was branded the first fully inclusive club night for people with learning disabilities. The more I went, the more I saw people getting taken away early, this made me more frustrated and led me to setting up Stay Up Late Scotland campaign.
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I have used social media and connections to get a wide range of people involved and get us to the stage where we are now a national charity, to allow us the chance to support more campaigns and events, to make good social lives a right for everyone.
I'm now Chairperson for the campaign in Scotland.
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Alastair Minty
Vice Chair
I have always been surprised that we need to make the case for a good social life for everyone, and so I try and ask the question “what will it take to make it happen?” rather than looking for reasons not to try.
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I love sharing stories about the many things we have done together and planning for more. Being part of someone’s first rock concert and their first Beast Race (10k mud and obstacle race) are a couple of highlights, along with Heavy Load coming to Aberdeen around 2011.
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When Michael suggested a meeting in early 2017 as things had drifted a bit in Scotland, I got involved, and have been active ever since, including being involved with setting up a regional group in Aberdeen, and helping organise some live gigs and conferences.
Michelle Steel
Trustee
I got involved with Stay Up Late Scotland because I feel strongly about people's rights, and I think it is important that people have the support they need for a good life.
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I love music and going to concerts, and am a long time member of Gig Buddies. I think it is important to have something to look forward to, it makes life worth living.
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Another group I am involved with is People First, which also focus on rights and disability.
John Paul Moffat
Trustee
Since being one of the Directors of dates-n-mates Glasgow at the Launch back in 2008 then becoming National Director my goal is to make sure the person/member is enjoying the event and not having to leave early due to staff shifts ending I first attended STAY UP LATE Scotland National Committees and Local Glasgow Group meetings about 2017 with my role at dates-n-mates
LATE – Scotland’s first fully inclusive club night, I attended the launch on Tuesday 10th of April 2012 at the Arches in Glasgow. With over 200 people, it was clear that there was a demand for inclusive clubbing. By dates-n-mates, a project of C-Change Scotland at the time. The idea was to hold a genuinely inclusive club night actively promoted to people with learning disabilities though open to all. Disabled and non disabled DJ’s played. In 2018 it began to be Monthly in Partnership with includeme2club as CLUB LATE and Live LATE I spoke at a Public Debate during iassidd World Congress in Glasgow in August 2019 about the STAY UP LATE Campaign
Debbie Forsyth
Trustee
I live in West Lothian and I have an adult son who has a learning disability, and loves to party.
It was quite a shock for me to realise my son might not have access to a good life as an adult, purely because he had a learning disability. I was horrified to discover that institutionalised practices were still being used. I believe the Stay Up Late Manifesto is the antidote!
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I was delighted to find out about Stay Up Late Scotland and to be invited to join the National Committee. Since 2019 I have the privilege of working as a Gig Buddies project coordinator in West Lothian, supporting adults with a learning disability to have good social lives and promoting the #NoBedtimes campaign.
William Rae
Trustee
Why I got involved with Stay Up Late Scotland - to make the case for a good social life for everyone and so that people don't have to go to bed when care and people say that they should.
I got involved in 2017 when Alastair talked about meeting that was going to happen and would be people for all part of Scotland after that meeting. I got involved, and have been active ever since then this including being involved with help to set up a regional group in Aberdeen with the help and support of Alastair as well helping to plan and organise some live gigs and conferences.
I love to get involved with things that help people that don’t get their voices heard, I am also the chairperson of the Learning Disability Group of Aberdeen City and Shire and a graduate from Partners in Policymaking. I am also interested in Politics, human rights, citizenship, and animals.
John Gallon
Trustee
My name is John Gallon from Nairn in the highlands.
I am in involved with lots of groups also I work SCLD as Rapporteur the reason why I want to be part of Stay Up Late to spread awareness of young adults being put to bed early after a night out at a party also adults cant afford to stay out for a party because their support isn't flexible enough.
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Lets make the change happen.
Keith Etherington
Trustee
I have been involved in the Stay Up Late movement since the early days, from the Heavy Load Tours to the setting up of dates n mates.
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I promote inclusive music and have organised many online music nights and been involved with in person events too. I am passionate about people's rights and also music, and have been known to burst into song with a guitar now and then.
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Now retired from In Control Scotland, I am still actively involved with the Stay Up Late campaign.
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I didn't get round to writing this bio, so it's lucky the profile pic isn't me in a pink tutu...
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Amanda Ashton Booth
Trustee
I have faced many challenges to get a good social life, and I feel strongly about supporting other people to have this, and the importance for everyone's mental health.
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I like to work with others to help make that happen. I also try to push myself to try new things, but am aware of the support needed to feel confident to take part.