NEW START "HEALTH PROMOTION LEAD, CLACKMANNANSHIRE CHP"

Hello! My name is Betsy Twelves-Dickson and I have recently taken up post with Forth Valley Health Promotion Department as the Lead Officer for Clackmannanshire CHP. My role also involves a Substance Use focus across Forth Valley.

I have been asked to introduce myself by writing a short piece.This is always challenging, but here goes

I am American and I grew up Massachusetts, outside of Boston. I have now lived most of my adult life in Scotland. I am married with 2 sons aged 20 and 17. We moved to Alloa in 2006 after 5 years living in West Yorkshire. Prior to that we had lived for over 20 years in Ayrshire. Before I began this post I was working with Clackmannanshire Council as a Schools Health Development Officer.

In my own time I enjoy being active and outdoors when possible. I like to do things like run, cycle, hill walk and swim. I also teach yoga locally. My culinary tastes lean towards vegetarian food and I particularly enjoy pasta and salads. Travelling is another pleasure and while the USA is a regular destination, it is wonderful having Europe so accessible.

Health improvement is an area I've been involved with from various angles over many years. It is heartening to see it gaining prominence on so many agendas, but clearly significant challenges still lie ahead. I am looking forward to working with new colleagues across Forth Valley and to the challenges that I am sure my new post will provide.