Social care charity Cornerstonehas appointed Dame Anne Begg as a patron for the organisation. Dame Anne, who was named Disabled Scot of the Year in 1988, will be responsible for championing the work Cornerstone is involved in throughout Scotland. The former MP for Aberdeen South began her career teaching history and English at Webster’s High School in Kirriemuir in 1987 and went on to become the head of English at Arbroath Academy. During her time in the Commons she held a number of positions, including chair of the work and pensions select committee in the 2010-15 parliament. She was awarded a DBE in the 2011 New Year’s Honours List for her work for disabled people and equal opportunities.

West of Scotland Housing Association has appointed Lynne Donnelly as its chief executive. Currently operations director at Partick Housing Association Limited, Lynne has worked in the housing sector for over 30 years in a variety of roles. Of her appointment, Lynne said she was looking forward to being able to make a positive difference to customers and communities and hopes to deliver a quality service that reflects their needs. Lynne will take up the position at the beginning of October.

Sixteen-year-old Abbie Wilson has been appointed to the board of national youth information and citizenship charity, Young Scot. Abbie, who is thought to be one of the youngest board appointees to a Scottish charity, was a youth commissioner on the Scottish Government appointed Commission for Smoking Prevention and sat on the judging panel for the 2014 Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards. She is an active volunteer in her local community in Livingston and has also been a member of the Young Scot Youth Focus Group. Abbie is joined by Jordan Linden MSYP, who is the chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament and thus automatically qualifies for a place on the board.