Joyce Gray joins Covid Aid as Executive Director

This comes at an important time for the charity as demand continues for support, guidance and advice on Long Covid and other Covid-19 related issues.

Covid Aid has helped support over 250,000 people across the UK with advice and information. The charity has also supported those significantly affected by Long Covid, grief, trauma and bereavement through courses available in their awards nominated Support Community. With the addition of Joyce, the Covid Aid team believe that they will be able to reach more people in the UK in need of support.

Joyce said: “I am so looking forward to becoming part of the small but amazing team at Covid Aid.  A new Charity with an abundance of ambition, underpinned by the outstanding support they have already delivered to communities across the United Kingdom.

“This is an exciting time to start, with new projects and innovative models of support being developed. I hope to bring my skills in supporting and growing new projects and initiatives to ensure the growth and success of this work.

“Covid touched all our lives, and as some move on, there are thousands of people still living with the lasting impacts of the disease, or great personal loss.  It is our ambition to provide a supportive community, innovative support models and share the stories of those whose lives we endeavour to touch with our work.

“I have had a long career in the third sector, my last role as Deputy Director with Alzheimer Scotland, where I was responsible for driving all the innovation and development for the organisation, with some success.

“I am committed to ensuring that I bring the same level of passion and enthusiasm to this role, and relish the prospect of the new challenge.”

Joyce will be responsible for making critical decisions to drive the charity’s goals, developing strategic plans, leading the team on projects and other crucial duties.

It is a turning point for the charity as Joyce brings with her a wealth of experience which will aid the progress of the charity and further the support it offers. 

Along with the new appointment, Covid Aid is also strengthening the board with founder Michael MacLennan moving into the position of Chair, with further trustee recruitment underway.

Michael said: "All of us at Covid Aid are delighted to welcome Joyce to the charity as Executive Director. She brings a wealth of experience from her time in senior roles including at Alzheimer Scotland, and we were all enormously impressed by the array of skills that Joyce comes equipped with, as well as her open and collaborative leadership approach.

"2022 was an enormously important year for the charity, as we grew significantly in terms of funding and the support we were able to deliver. This was particularly vital as the number of those with Long Covid in the UK continued to increase to more than two million people, with families and loved ones affected by the deaths of more than 200,000 people to Covid-19.

"Covid Aid is now in an ideal position to grow further and strengthen the level of support we are able to provide, and powered by our ever-growing community we are looking forward to helping an even greater number of people whose lives have been turned upside down due to the coronavirus pandemic."

Covid Aid launched in May 2021 to support people in the UK affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The charity has since expanded its service offerings to include grief and bereavement counselling and Long Covid support through its awards-shortlisted Support Community and collaborations with national bodies including the NHS and Asthma & Lung UK.