Team

The Heavy Sound team are a neurodiverse group of people from different countries across the globe with a range of lived experiences and backgrounds.

Dariush

Youth Services Practitioner

I have always had a strong passion for sports and working with young people, particularly within combat sports. I started boxing at 13 and transitioned in to coaching at 22. I have since branched out in to sports specific strength and conditioning, having worked with amateur boxers and professional footballers. Through a combination of my own experiences, understanding of trauma and how it is often linked with offending behaviours, I now design and deliver sports based interventions using relationship building and mentoring as tools to engage young people.

Woman with butterfly wings

Elizabeth

Therapeutic Support Practitioner

I’ve worked at Heavy Sound since it first started. I have experience in supporting young people and families. It is my job to help to create a safe and nurturing environment for all or our young people, this also extends to parents/carers and anyone who walks through our doors. I have experience in working with both adults and young people who have experienced trauma so my aim is to help create a person-centred, trauma informed environment here at Heavy Sound.

Portrait photo of Gavin

Gav

Project Manager

With my background in DJ-ing, studio work and music production I joined H.S in 2019 as Lead Music Practitioner. However, I now manage various projects including our outreach and bike projects. I’m a Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader and qualified to deliver GoMTB awards up to level 3.  I’m also an Arts Award adviser and a John Muir Awards Leader.  I previously worked in a studio where I ran several successful youth music projects and through this became heavily involved with setting up and running the Edinburgh Youth Music Forum.

Grant

Youth Practitioner & Crib Pilot

Hi I’m Grant. I’m a lived experienced mentor with a background in supporting and mentoring people with mental health and addiction issues. I am an empathetic and compassionate individual with a great ability to listen and provide emotional support when needed. I’m a trained bike mechanic and learnt maintenance skills at First Step. I’m very interested in Buddhism and I’m also a reiki practitioner. I believe the holistic approach to health and wellbeing is the way forward for young and old alike.

Man in a music studio wearing a mask

Jordan

Founder

I’m Jordan, the founder of Heavy Sound. I set up Heavy Sound in 2015 based on my own lived experience of trauma, offending behaviours, substance misuse and homelessness. I’ve got over 15 years of hip hop, music making and creative writing experience as well as qualifications in business, creative arts, and community work. I also have over 10 years of front-line youth work experience which is informed by my own lived experience of the issues faced by our target groups. I’m involved in all aspects of running the business as well as delivering projects to our young people.

Kirstie

Kirstie

Link Teacher

My name is Kirstie and I’m the link teacher here at Heavy Sound. Having spent a number of years teaching English in High Schools, I am now studying counselling and psychotherapy and am very much enjoying using my counselling training to work holistically and therapeutically with young people. Coming from a trauma-informed, young person-centred standpoint, I work alongside our young people to support their academic and relational learning by building their social and educational confidence.

This relational approach to learning in embedded in the belief that it is positive, nurturing human relationships which guide and scaffold our ability to engage both with others and with the curriculum, and it is from this basis that we set out to achieve each young person’s individual academic goals.

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Linda

Linda

Chief Executive Officer

Hi, I’m Linda, I’m the Chief Executive Officer at Heavy Sound, and am a trainee Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.  I joined Heavy Sound over 5 years ago because of my own lived experience. Making a difference in people’s lives through the power of positive relationships and creating meaningful purpose is at the heart of everything we do, which is why I love my job. I also chair Families Outside and am on the board of Community Justice Scotland. Outside of work I’ve got 3 kids and a tortoise. Life is busy but I’ll always make time.

Malky

Malky

Mentoring Services Manager

I am Malcolm (Malky), I am the Mentoring Services Manager and I have been working with Heavy Sound since early 2021. I have previous work experience in the Mental Health, Addictions and Community Justice sectors. Along with having qualifications in Counselling and Health and Social Care, I have lived experience from each of the fields I have worked in, so I bring a holistic view and approach to working and want to support people to make changes in their lives. I am a Board member with the Scottish Drugs Forum.

Melissa

16+ Coordinator

Hello, I am Melissa. I’ve been with Heavy Sound since Spring 2022. I joined as a Social Work student on placement but quickly decided that a Social Work career wasn’t really for me. However, the team asked if I would stay on and after a brief stint volunteering I am now a fully-fledged member of the team and love every second of it.  

I have a background in Performing Arts, gaining an Hons degree in Drama. I appeared in Trainspotting 2 which was great fun and a fantastic experience.  I also have lived experience of addiction, trauma and PTSD, which helps me to relate to young people and offer mentorship founded on building positive relationships.  

Sarah

Head of Youth Services

Hello, my name is Sarah.  I am a neurodivergent educational psychologist and qualified teacher.  I am an avid learner and always curious about wanting to understand young people.  I love animals and also enjoy the tranquillity offered by the outdoors.  Originally from South Africa, I have had extensive experience working alongside, supporting and advocating for vulnerable young people.  I have just recently been invited to join the team at Heavy Sound and I am really excited to explore how I can add value through relationship, in neuro-affirming, trauma informed ways.

Scott

Mentor (Adult Services)

Hi, Im Scott! As a trauma informed, lived experience mentor, I bring firsthand knowledge of (adversity) transforming my life from hopelessness to change. With the help and support of others, I have (continue) empowered myself to fulfill my own goals and aspirations beyond my previous (feelings of limitation) circumstances. Now, I am dedicated to supporting others in their journey towards self-empowerment, guiding them, from a place of empathy, compassion and non judgement to overcome their current life challenges. Together, we lay solid foundations, create/inspire positive change, and embrace the possibilities of a brighter future.

Portrait of Stevie

Stephen

16+ Coordinator

Hi, I’m Stephen. I teach bike maintenance courses and I am a trained cycle leader. Through this I use my own lived experience, understanding of trauma and offending behaviour to work towards building relationships and trust with the young people to be able to support them to a more positive future.  

Thilo

Thilo

Operations Manager

I’m Thilo. I look after the music programmes and one-to-one music tuition here at Heavy Sound. I’m also responsible for supporting the Heavy Sound team and make sure various systems are running smoothly in the background. I have a music degree and have been involved in making music my whole life. I’ve been performing live all over the world, and, with my current band, Scottish Hip-Hop group Stanley Odd I have released various albums and EP’s – two of which had been shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year Awards.