Heather Gardner

Heather retired in March 2008 after working at both senior management and frontline level in the Community Education and Community Learning and Development Services in the Lothians for nearly 40 years, after graduating with an MA in Social Studies from Edinburgh University. Her last post was in North Berwick, East Lothian, where she was the Community Development Officer/Centre manager at North Berwick Community Centre.

Heather has gained considerable experience of developing social, recreational and educational opportunities for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities and played a lead role in setting up East Lothian Special Needs Play scheme as a successful charity. She also has experience of working in the fields of mental health including dementia and helped set up both “Stepping Out” (A mental health charity in East Lothian.) and North Berwick Day Care Association for the frail elderly and those with dementia. As a result of her role in the development of music therapy in Scotland, Heather was invited to join the board of Nordoff Robbins Scotland in 1995 and elected Chair in September 2008. We’re delighted to welcome Heather to our unified board following our merger with Nordoff Robbins Scotland.