This week, we at A Place in Childhood have a raft of changes in our boardroom.
Firstly, we’re delighted to announce Karen Ridgewell as our new Chair of the Board! Karen is an Architect and Adaptation Planner, currently working with Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS), Scotland’s design champion whose aim is to see the benefits of the Place Principle become an everyday reality in the way Scotland’s places are created, adapted and sustained.
Karen brings her 15 years’ experience of low impact design and climate change adaptation to the Board.
She said: “I feel privileged to have been elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of A Place in Childhood.
“As an experienced architect and facilitator, I am excited to be able to support the charity’s co-directors and the Board of Trustees to build on the great work undertaken to date.
“Most of all, I’m keen to ensure that APiC supports young people across Scotland in changing our world for the better.
“The last 12 months have been challenging for most, but especially for our children and young people.
“My vision is to create more opportunities for Scotland’s young citizens to create impact and shape more inclusive policies, services and environments that benefit everyone in society.”
She succeeds Matluba Khan as chair, who co-founded the charity with Jenny Wood in August 2018.
Matluba said: “I congratulate Karen on being elected as the new Chair of APiC’s Board of Trustees.
“I have been fortunate to see APiC thrive, grow and serve even during the most unprecedented times.
“The arrival of a new Chair is a significant occasion for any charity and I am hopeful APiC will continue to be stronger and deliver its mission under the skilful leadership of Karen.”
This week we also welcome two new trustees: Lesley McMillan and Daniela Miler. Lesley is an Interior Architect and Designer working for City of Edinburgh Council. She is also Chair of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID)’s Education Design Council. Daniela is a Landscape Architect at design consultancy HarrisonStevens. Both bring their enthusiasm and expertise of child-friendly design to the board.
Lesley said: “Creating engaging spaces and places is my passion. I’m driven by values such as wellbeing, inclusivity and sustainability, and believe that inclusive participatory design is fundamental.
“I am delighted to join APiC and bring my experience of creating evidence-led, child friendly spaces to the board.”
Daniela said: “It is a great privilege to join APiC. I am excited to improve children’s experience of the city and promote freedom to play in urban environments for every child.”
A Place in Childhood has several projects planned for 2021, and has recently been awarded funding from the Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland to investigate young people’s experiences of the most recent COVID-19 lockdown.