Our Board of Trustees

Dopamine Dolls is governed by a Board of Trustees. Our trustees are volunteers with lived experience of neurodiversity (either as individuals or as support to a family member). Our trustees are responsible for ensuring our resources are managed and used to meet out purposes, in compliance with our constitution and the law. They are also responsible for conflicts of interest, safeguarding and reporting to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

Hiya! I’m Ashley Hope, Co-Founder, Chair, and Director of Dopamine Dolls.

I have a BA(Hons) in Business and Marketing and a PGDip in Social Work. I enjoy the strategy and service development of Dopamine Dolls, but it is the connection at our Peer Support Groups that gets me up in the (late) morning!

I was diagnosed with dyslexia during my second degree at the age of 25 and I gained my ADHD diagnosis on Valentine’s Day 2023, at the age of 31. Like most, I had quite a complex and challenging journey to gain a diagnosis. Connecting with other people, who truly understand my lived experience has been such a special experience.

If I’m not spending time on a new, and possibly short lived hobby, I’m usually in recovery mode - hanging with my family and baby dogs.

Hi, I’m Toni Hope and I am the Treasurer of Dopamine Dolls.

I have had a variety of professions over the years which have included; DJ, Dinner Lady, Traffic Warden, Postie and Gnome Painter - to name a few! Over the past 16 years I have worked for the NHS, within a variety of administrative roles. I currently manage a small team and have responsibilities that include procurement and budget management. 

I previously founded a fundraising committee for my local area, to raise funds for a children’s play park. We were successful in raising over £125,000. 

I have 4 children, 3 of whom have neurodiverse diagnoses. I am also a self-diagnosed ADHDer finding my way through the menopause! In my free time, I love to read, walk (especially with my dog) and camp throughout the summer months.

Hi, I’m Seonaid and a Trustee of Dopamine Dolls.

I started my working life as a BBC journalist before going freelance and focusing on writing for television and radio. When a family member became seriously depressed in 2011, I felt utterly powerless to help and it was this that prompted my move into the field of mental health. I now work as an advocate in Inverness covering the Highlands and Islands.

My ADHD was finally confirmed in 2021 after many years of being told it was ‘just’ anxiety. Discovering this has changed my life for the better and that of my adult daughter who learnt she also has it. I appreciate how fortunate I am and would like to support those who continue to fight for their diagnosis.

Most of my spare time is spent with my family and friends, painting and on Vinted!

My name is Suz Elvey and am a Trustee and the Press and Communications Officer for Dopamine Dolls.

I was a journalist for 10 years, working at local and national newspapers, news websites and magazines in England. I even dabbled in a bit of television and video-making. I now handle communications for a charity that works with disabled people in Scotland. I believe everyone has a unique story to tell and I love supporting the people I work with to share their stories, experiences and opinions.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in early 2023, at the age of 41. The main way it impacts my life is procrastination. Sometimes even starting a task feels impossible, let alone finishing it. When I’m hyper focused though I can plan projects, events and activities like a pro!

Outside of work and volunteering I can usually be found walking (slowly) in the spectacular Highlands’ countryside; planning my next trip away; sampling food and drink from a new restaurant, vineyard or distillery; or chilling at home with my three cats.

Hey there! I’m Rosie, a Trustee and volunteer facilitator for Dopamine Dolls.

I first discovered Dopamine Dolls back in 2023 through a social media ad and haven’t looked back since. I’m an Occupational Therapist so have an understanding of different physical and mental heath conditions, so when I saw the group advertised I had no idea I would find “my people”.

I haven’t been diagnosed with ADHD however the daily functional challenges, mistakes, thought processes and whoopsies are recognised within the group and we all have a cry, laugh or light bulb moment together. Alongside a cuppa and biscuits (and fidget toys). There is no expectation within the group, you can share your thoughts or just listen (and even turn up late with no judgement!) however, this has been a life saver of mine since I’m sharing and understanding with like minded people for the first time in 32 years. Come along or spread the news. Ashley the founder of Dopamine Dolls has created such a safe place and together we can create a pathway of support for us neurospicy dolls!

My name is Will Hope, I am a Trustee of Dopamine Dolls and the twin brother of Ashley Hope (the Founder and Director!)

I have an HNC in Administration and IT which I use to support Dopamine Dolls with all their administrative requirements and any IT issues which arise. Although I don’t participate in online and in-person events, I support Dopamine Dolls from behind the scenes.

I was diagnosed with autism at 12 years old and ADHD at 33! I also have some OCD tendencies. I have seen both the good and the bad side of the NHS support for mental health issues in the Highlands. It is because of this that I wanted to do all I could to help Dopamine Dolls flourish! I am proud of my sister for what she has created and I am also very excited to see how far Dopamine Dolls will go.

In my spare time, of which I have a lot, I tend to be either playing games, watching the same TV show I’ve seen a million times or overthinking every aspect of everything to the nth degree.

My name is Jen Lilley (she/her) and I'm a Trustee and volunteer facilitator with Dopamine Dolls. 

I have been living in the Highlands for the last couple of years, but originally come from Glasgow, and I'm enjoying settling into rural life in the Black Isle with my partner, our dog and cat.

I've been a primary teacher for ten years. I've always loved working with kids, but (as is typical with ADHD) before becoming a teacher I had a variety of different jobs while in search of a career where every day was something new. I've always believed that empathy and inclusion are key to making children's lives better and I want to bring that ethos to my role at Dopamine Dolls. The group made me feel welcome right away, at a time when I felt like I was facing the challenges of ADHD on my own. I hope to help keep Dopamine Dolls a safe and inclusive space for those who need peer support, with a healthy dose of compassion and understanding. 

I realised I had ADHD in my mid-thirties, when I recognised many of my own traits while supporting children who were neurodivergent in my classroom. It took me a while to seek out support, but finding a reason for why I am the way I am was quite the relief. I'm still awaiting an official diagnosis - as many are at the moment - but I like to say I've been peer-reviewed in the meantime.

While working on trying to find a work-life balance (as teaching seems to take up most of my time, due to a combination of procrastination, perfectionism and hyper-focus) I enjoy switching crafty hobbies every few months, reading five books at any given time, making music, playing video games and having a quiet night in.