Benedict Lejac Email & Phone Number

Edinburgh, Gb

Developed and delivered the organisation’s devolved policy and public affairs approach.Built and maintained relationships with elected representatives and government ministers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Represented the organisation on third sector networks in the devolved nations, including the Scottish Cancer Coalition. Produced briefings on key policy issues for members of devolved legislatures, civil servants, and third partners. Led on the organisation’s responses to relevant devolved government policy consultations.Designed and delivered influencing activity tailored to the unique political environments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

I supported Support in Mind's policy and public affairs engagement by producing policy briefings and consultation responses for Scottish and UK government departments, contributing to the development of the organisation’s policy and public affairs strategy, and coordinating Support in Mind Scotland’s communications with Scottish Government Ministers, MSPs, manifesto teams and other relevant policy stakeholders. I delivered mental health research projects and produced reports for policymaking and public audiences, including 'Social Prescribing in Scotland: From Origins to Opportunities', published by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in April 2020.I also provided secretariat support for the National Rural Mental Health Forum and the Scottish Personality Disorder Network, and provided coordination for political engagements and events, including Scottish Parliamentary hustings.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

I supported the Director of Policy and Public Affairs, collating and disseminating information to the members of the National Rural Mental Health Forum on issues facing rural Scotland. Focusses for the Forum during this time included the impact of COVID-19, improving access to digital resources in remote communities, and the implications of Brexit for mental health in rural areas in Scotland.I was responsible for signposting queries from Forum members to appropriate support from the National Information Service, and compiling information sheets and packs for distribution to the Forum's members. I also drafted and proofed reports and consultations for Scottish Government as appropriate.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

I provided administrative support to Support in Mind Scotland's Highlands and Islands Connections Project, including proofing and drafting web and press releases, collating and summarising project information for reports and case studies, preparing research and survey summaries for internal use and for informing policy, and proofing and editing project reports, both for the public and for the Scottish Government.I also supported the National Rural Mental Health Forum, including minuting meetings, supporting at events, and providing administrative support as needed.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

I coordinated the Edible Edinburgh sustainable food partnership, including managing the partnership's website and social media, organising and servicing meetings, and maintaining online content archives, and reported to the partnership's key stakeholders, including the City of Edinburgh Council. I also co-ordinated the partnership's campaigning activities, including events and social media, and worked on the partnership's successful application for the Sustainable Food Cities Bronze award in 2020.

London, United Kingdom

I coordinated the young people's advisory team, including schedule management, minute-taking, supporting timesheets and maintaining content archives, and chairing team meetings, including agenda management and producing summaries. I supported the delivery of presentations and workshops, and co-ordinated the team's response to the UK government's White Paper on mental health in Education in February 2018.

London, United Kingdom

As part of the Debating Mental Health programme, I co-designed and delivered training sessions on debating and public speaking skills to young people in CAMHS services in south-west London. I collaborated with education and mental health professionals to develop and structure appropriate sessions, and conducted reviews with participants throughout the programme.

London, United Kingdom

As a member of the AFC's first Young Advisor team I co-developed and delivered training sessions for clinical psychologists and service managers on young people's involvement for the NHS' CYP-IAPT service improvement programme, focussed around the principles of person-centred care and collaborative decision-making.I also participated in consultations and outreach sessions across CAMHS services across London and South-East England to support the representation of young people's views and service-user involvement in young people and family's mental health services in London and the South-East.

Msc, International And European Politics, With Distinction

Dissertation studying the relationship between EU cohesion policy and polity-building in economically and culturally peripheral European.

International Studies B.A. (Hons.), International Relations And Affairs, 1St

Focus on international politics and global history, also studying international development and economics. Final year independent research.