New Development Worker for community groups in Edinburgh: Joanna Simpson

I’m Joanna (she/her) and I’m excited to take on the new role of Development Worker for community groups in Edinburgh! In this job, I will be working closely with leaders of current groups and developing new groups that meet varying community needs. LGBT Health and Wellbeing is an organisation I’ve been aware of for a while, and I’m now pleased to be a part of the important work going on here.

Prior to this role, I’ve been a student and I have also worked in a variety of fields. While at university, I studied English and Film. During this time, I was a devoted audience member at film festivals and screenings and even put on my own event for Women in Horror Month. In spaces like this I developed a passion for community and discussion. I put this passion into practice during my Masters in the Digital and Public Humanities by exploring queer inclusion in online spaces and on dating apps. While studying, I worked in hospitality, travelled, and volunteered as a teacher for The Big Issue and in the women’s wing of HMP Edinburgh.

After finishing my degrees, I began working for a social care charity in Scotland. In this role I have been instrumental in creating and running an LGBT network for staff and the people we support. A highlight of this was the charity attending Pride in Glasgow for the first time! This network has also been a great space for bringing people together to benefit LGBT staff and the people we support. I’m excited to now be working with an organisation that has the interests of the LGBT community at its heart.

I’m looking forward to getting to know the community groups currently running and I’m excited to see where we can go from here!