Our Team

Founder

Diane Ord Msc. has a long professional track-record working within substance use services. She holds a Masters degree in Substance Use from the University of Stirling. For over 35 years Diane has worked within health and care professions across Grampian region. She has been active in supporting recovery within Aberdeenshire for over 2 decades as a Lead Practitioner, Development Worker, Community Forum and ADP Sub-group Chair and is a freelance SVQ Qualified Assessor currently working for the Scottish Drugs Forum.

Founder

John Bolland BSc., MSc., MPhil is an established writer and an experienced project and business manager. John is in active Recovery having confronted life-long mental health and substance use issues and their intergenerational impacts. He has three decades of experience in the international oil and gas industry in roles of project management, corporate governance, technical assurance, performance improvement and organisational development. John has also been actively involved in Aberdeenshire ADP as Vice-Chair, Lived Experience Sub-Group Chair and as part of the team leading Public Health Grampian’s response to the Charter of Rights. John has also recently completed the SVQ level 7 accreditation in Advocacy Practice.

Trustee

Lee Gall is a volunteer activist with lived and living experience. She has been an active member of the Aberdeenshire Recovery community for over a decade and is currently pursuing accreditation as a volunteer through local Aberdeenshire CLD programmes and continues to focus on her own recovery and personal development.

Trustee - Family Support

Friendly, attentive, and always ready to help, our customer service manager ensures every interaction is a positive one. They keep communication clear, timely, and human.

Trustee- Children and Young Persons

Hollie is a teacher and Pilates instructor. She is passionate about supporting people of all ages to feel confident, connected and well. Hollie particularly enjoys working with young people and creating positive opportunities where they can feel included, develop new skills and build confidence. As a keen violinist, Hollie does this this through the medium of music. She works hard to bring opportunities to all children, working with the Youth Music Initiative for Scotland. Hollie is passionate about community projects that bring people together and provide practical support, such as food clubs and activities for young people. Alongside teaching, Hollie is a qualified Pilates instructor, reflecting a real interest in promoting physical and mental wellbeing.

Community Development Officer

For the past 16 years, Laura has worked within Drugs and Alcohol Recovery Services across Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Throughout her career, she has been passionate about helping people build positive, fulfilling lives in recovery.

As Community Development Officer with ACR, Laura enjoys creating and developing support groups, strengthening community connections, and helping people access the support they need closer to home. She has led groups, delivered recovery programmes, and supported individuals through every stage of their journey.

Laura says, ”reaching out for help can be one of the most difficult things a person ever has to do. I pride myself on being approachable, friendly, and easy to talk to, helping people feel heard and supported from the moment they reach out.”

Laura strongly believes that recovery flourishes through connection, understanding, and belonging. Everyone deserves the chance to feel valued, supported, and hopeful about their future.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work has been supporting people to access training opportunities when they feel ready to build on their skills and confidence. Watching individuals grow and progress into facilitator roles, delivering these vital groups themselves, is something she is incredibly proud of.

“I believe recovery is strengthened through peer support, and I am always delighted to step back and give others the opportunity to lead. In these situations, I remain in the background, offering guidance, encouragement, and mentoring whenever it is needed.”

Laura is seconded to Aberdeenshire Community Recovery from our partner, Alcohol & Drugs Action (ADA)

Community Development Officer

Lynne has a passion for helping people to recognise their strengths and achieve positive, lasting change. She believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, kindness and understanding and provides a safe, supportive environment where people feel heard and valued.

Her own recovery journey has shaped who she is today. She understands that change is not always easy, but with the right support, encouragement and plenty determination, it is possible. Her lived experience gives her hope and the empathy which she brings to every interaction while maintaining a professional and person-centred approach.

She has completed a variety of specialist training including SCQF Level 7 in Advocacy Practice, SMART Recovery Facilitator Training, MRAM, DART and Self Coaching. These have provide the skills and confidence to support people through their own recovery journeys, navigating the pitfalls and successes whilst empowering them to build on their own strengths.

Lynne says, “I feel incredibly blessed to have been given the opportunity to work in a role where I can help to make a genuine difference in people’s lives. Building relationships, supporting the community and celebrating progress, no matter how small, this is what inspires me every day. I look forward to continuing to learn, grow and work alongside others to help create a stronger, healthier and more connected community.”

Outside of work, you will usually find her surrounded by dogs. Lynne fosters for the SPCA, giving puppies and dogs a loving place to stay while they wait for their forever homes.