“The best thing is having a job where you’re fundamentally supporting positive change.”

Salena Begley MBE is Family Fund’s Partner Engagement Manager for Scotland. Having joined Family Fund in 2009, she told us about her experiences, how things have changed, and the impact Family Fund has had on families.

Tell us about your work with Family Fund:

“I first became aware of Family Fund when I was working in social work for a Scottish local authority supporting families with disabled children. It quickly became one of the first things I would signpost when I was working with families. I helped them to apply, and saw the impact the grants made when they were successful.

“In 2009, Family Fund were looking for Family Fund Advisors who would go and meet families applying for grants. I applied for the role and still remember the interview in Edinburgh. I was delighted to be appointed and started meeting families soon after. It was a really rewarding role.

“After some time, I secured a full time role, and I’m now Partner Engagement Manager for Scotland. It’s an extremely varied role. I promote Family Fund grants and support to families and practitioners across Scotland. My motto is ‘have banner, will travel!”. I ensure our work is promoted, and I build relationships with organisations, funders and elected representatives. There is never a dull moment.”

How have you seen Family Fund make an impact?

“I’ve met many incredible families through working at Family Fund. But there’s one that always sticks in my mind when I think about the impact our grants have. Many years ago, I was speaking to a Mum from Glasgow, Leah, whose daughter was autistic. Leah was caring for her daughter, and for an older family member at the same time.

“Family Fund had helped her through two grants: a washing machine and a day trips grant. They had never been able to go on day trips together. Instead, Leah used to put on picnics in the garden which they would enjoy together. With the grant, Leah took her daughter on a train for the first time. She hadn’t had access to a washing machine, and every week, was travelling to a laundrette via taxi as they had no car. Leah’s resilience and determination always stayed with me. How she talked about the grants relieving additional expense, worry and time, which she could now spend with her family. The more I spoke to Leah, the more I understood how much these grants meant.”

What do you think has been the biggest change since you started working at Family Fund? 

“We’ve evolved massively in terms of the diversity of support we offer. Back in 2009, if I was doing a presentation, I would have just been talking about the main grant scheme. Now, there’s so many different elements from support with finances and staying safe online, to support for siblings and young people over 18.”

“We still have the same core purpose and families are at the heart of what we do, but the support we offer has evolved in so many ways.”

“I’d also say Family Fund Business Services is one of the biggest changes too. I was a bit anxious when it was first announced, and wondered about the impact it would have and how it would be received. But it turned out to be one of the most transformational decisions. It’s enabled us to achieve a lot more and help more people through different channels. The reciprocal way it works is amazing. We’ve really strived to evolve what we deliver and we’ve really done that.”

How has working for Family Fund impacted your life? 

“For me, the best thing is having a job where you’re fundamentally supporting positive change. It’s the feeling that you’re working for an organisation which many families feel truly value them and stands alongside them.

“A personal highlight was when I was awarded an MBE in 2017 for Services to Children’s Welfare:

“I was nominated by the Scottish Government. It felt like I’d really contributed something, having worked in the statutory and third sector for a long time.”

“When I told my mum about it she responded by saying that it was the way in which civil society recognises people’s efforts. It really meant a lot to me.

“I also have Family Fund to thank for my love of running. I’m a slow, inconsistent runner but my friend was running a half marathon for Family Fund and convinced me to sign up for a 10K.”

“Since then, I’ve run five marathons and an ultramarathon, volunteered and run parkrun 100 times. It’s ingrained in mine and my family’s life. I don’t think I’d have started if it weren’t for the impetus to run for Family Fund.” 

What are your hopes for Family Fund for the next 50 years? 

“I would hope that we continue to grow into an inclusive, diverse organisation that families with a disabled child or young person recognise as one that ‘gets it’. An organisation who stands alongside them, enables them to be heard and supports them to bring about positive change.”