Alison Doyle, Director and Chairperson of the Board.
I was one of the original 5 people who had a vision of providing a unique service to the local area so have been involved with The Brae from the very beginning when we first approached Dundee’s Lord Provost in 1996. It took a lot of hard work and determination to get to the great achievement of opening The Brae in March 2008. My involvement has ranged from promotion, fundraising, financial recording and liaising with funders, particularly Big Lottery during the building of the centre.
I have a wide range of experience ranging from Senior Lecturer at Dundee & Angus College, Voluntary Services Manager in Learning Disabilities, Careers/Guidance, Business Management/Administration and Governance.
I was also one of the team that set up Dundee Volunteer Centre and was the chairperson for the first year of its operation.
We all knew that The Brae would be a wonderful place but in actual fact, it is even better than we ever dreamed it could be. Seeing the happy faces of the riders, their families and carers and the volunteers too makes me very happy and proud to be part of this great organisation.
Ian Longair, Director and Secretary to the Board.
“I became involved with The Brae as a volunteer to assist with choosing and setting up of the computers used by the staff in the offices. I have assisted with setting up of databases which help the staff in allocating riders to blocks of lessons and also maintaining records of attainment for volunteers. I also look after The Brae website (www. brae.org.uk).
I joined the Board in 2010.
Like everyone associated with The Brae it is always great to see the progress and pleasure which the centre is able to bring to riders and volunteers alike.”
Lesley Fullerton, Brae Director and Treasurer to the Board.
Norma McGovern+ BraeDirector, Instructor and Horse Committee Member.
“I became a volunteer for the RDA about 12 years ago when the service was delivered at Conchies Yard at Barry. There was a small but dedicated group of volunteers. The joy on the riders faces as they rode and interacted with the horses and volunteers made the role of volunteering most rewarding.
I work with my family’s horses on a daily basis and this experience gave me transferable skills to bring to the RDA.
When The Brae was developed as a riding school for people with disabilities I took a voluntary role as a riding instructor and Director on The Board. As a director I am involved in decision making pertinent to the effective and efficient management of The Brae.
As directors we are involved with various volunteering activities within the organisation, for example I act as a delivery service from the shop at Conchies Yard to The Brae. I am also involved in the fitting of riding hats for our riders and the co-ordination of the appropriate hats to be purchased.
I also serve on the Horse Committee ensuring the welfare of the horses.
I am a passionate believer in the philosophy of UNICEF which is that all children regardless of their ethnic background, religion or social status deserve to be given the opportunity to reach their potential. I fully believe that we at The Brae go a long way to help children achieve this.”
Dave Doyle – Buildings, Maintenance and Health & Safety Advisor.
“I’ve been involved in the building trade all my working life in some shape or form for close on 40 years. Started my working life with a large Tayside Building Contractor as an assistant estimator whilst attending Kingsway tech doing my Institute of Building qualifications, then a number of years as a Surveyor and in 1986 as Senior Buyer for 12 years responsible for all purchases, plant hire (large and small) blacksmiths and joiners workshops, vans along with the material procurement of around 20 building sites.
I started my own building company in 1998 doing extensions and one-off house builds and 2 years later started a hardwood flooring company offering quality floors to Tayside, employing 13 tradesmen along with 5 apprentices. The 2 companies ran in tandem until the just before the recession kicked in when I closed the building company, downsized going for the easy life and just running the flooring company.
My involvement with the Brae started when I was asked to make the build happen with the brief “ a shed in a field will do” and as Project Manager pulled the build together hopefully achieving more than the original task. I was asked to become a Director after the build was complete, with my procurement expertise and the experience of running a few companies along with my building contacts I think I have helped to make the Brae the success it is.
One of my failings (the only one!) is that I treat every pound as a prisoner, and judge every expenditure as if I was spending my own money, this is balanced with the support and experiences of the other directors round the table, every organisation needs a grumpy one. To counterbalance my occasional grumpiness I enjoy playing golf, like listening to Blues/rock music, playing the guitar and pampering my wife.
Over the last year I have been employed as a Business Adviser with the Business Gateway helping and supporting existing business so haven’t been to the Brae as much as I would have liked, when I do I feel a sense of pride in what’s been achieved though the hard work and dedication of The Brae team.”
Yvonne Miskell – Director, Coach and Fundraising Committee Member.
My name is Yvonne Miskell. I am a retired physiotherapist who worked within the NHS for 40 years. I have been involved with The Brae since its conception when we approached Dundee city council in 1996 to provide an RDA centre for the people of Dundee.
Today I remain a Director, meeting regularly, to oversee the continuing successful running and planning of the centre.
I am also on the fund raising committee to promote the centre locally and arrange events to keep funds coming into the centre.
I am a volunteer and I am a coach currently (March 2023) about to updtae my coaching skills so I can help cover if any coach is absent.