Michelle Davitt reflects on her first few months as chief executive of Scottish Love in Action
What is the first thing you do when you arrive at work?
I water our massive plant which is on the stairs on the way to our office. Everything early doors is done whilst also imbibing caffeine of some sort.
What makes a good day at work?
Opportunities coming to fruition and having a laugh whilst working hard.
How often do you socialise with colleagues outside the Christmas party?
I haven’t been here long enough to have time for much socialising, although our Ladies’ Cinema Night fundraiser was lots of fun. We’re planning a night out soon at Tuk Tuk. Not only is their Indian street food yum, they’ve made us their charity partner, with 50p per meal being donated to us by their restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Is it better to work for a big charity or a small charity?
Both will have pros and cons but my experience and expertise (and let’s be honest probably my heart) lies with small is beautiful, and hopefully agile. I’m endlessly inspired and energised by the ideas, passion and enthusiasm bursting out of small charities and social enterprises.
What do you enjoy most about working at SLA?
Seeing the transformative impact our Indian partners are having on the lives of the children they work with. I also love continuing to increase connections, links, ideas, inspiration and networks locally, as well as far and wide. Our founder Gillie Davidson believes that the opportunities and connections you need come to you when you need them most and I’m inclined to agree with her.
What’s your favourite book?
Too numerous to mention, although The Catcher in the Rye was a favourite when I was younger.
Would your 16-year-old self be impressed with where you are now?
Taking the answer to the question above into account, probably not! Joking aside I don’t know if my 16-year-old self would be impressed, but hopefully she’d be quietly pleased.
Which do you prefer and why – Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin?
I’ve never joined Facebook (that now seems like an avant garde choice but was probably just laziness; it is now however a conscious decision to not get sucked down rabbit holes). I love Twitter and LinkedIn for work and am hoping our Edinburgh College web development students will help us get on it with Instagram!.
What’s your perfect weekend?
Horizontal, reading the paper with the wood burner going and regular caffeine input at home with my son and partner.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Being the first person in my family to go to university. Everything else has probably stemmed from that.
What was your first job?
I worked in a newsagents when I was 14. We didn’t have an electronic till so I had to do sums with a pencil on the back of a paper sweetie bag. Retro.
Is the third sector a calling or an accident?
I came into it slightly by accident, whence it became a calling.
Which Brian Cox do you prefer?
It’s got to be the actor; how can one man encompass Bob Servant and Hannibal Lecter?! (And IMHO he was the superior Lecter).
Michelle Davitt is chief executive of Scottish Love in Action, a Scottish charity that cares for and supports vulnerable children in India
