Sally Cochrane
About Sally Cochrane
Sally Cochrane is a Senior Programme Lead for Young People Community Programmes at Mind, where she has worked since 2021. With over 10 years of experience in the charity sector, she focuses on youth advocacy and the accessibility of essential services.
Current Role at Mind
Sally Cochrane serves as the Senior Programme Lead for Young People Community Programmes at Mind, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on developing and implementing programs that address the needs of young people. Her work emphasizes the importance of co-production, ensuring that projects are designed with meaningful input from the youth they aim to serve. Cochrane advocates for fairness and collaboration, striving to make essential services more accessible to diverse populations.
Previous Experience in the Charity Sector
Cochrane has over a decade of experience in the charity sector, particularly focusing on young people. She worked at Mind previously as the Young People Community Services Manager from 2018 to 2021 and as a Senior Programme Officer for eight months in 2018. Her tenure at Mencap included roles as Team Leader from 2014 to 2016 and Youth Coordinator from 2012 to 2014. Additionally, she served as a Learning Support Assistant at the National Autistic Society from 2011 to 2012.
Coaching and Outreach Experience
Before her roles in the charity sector, Cochrane worked as a Trampoline Coach for East Dunbartonshire Council from 2007 to 2008. She also held a position as Outreach Coordinator at the BBC for one month in 2017. These roles contributed to her understanding of youth engagement and community outreach, which she applies in her current work.
Educational Background and Qualifications
Cochrane has a strong educational background, including a Master of Arts (M.A.) from the University of Glasgow, completed from 2004 to 2008. She also holds a Master of Science (MSc) from the University of Reading, obtained in 2011. In addition, she has completed professional training, including a Project Management (foundation) certification from Prince2 in 2014 and Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector from City & Guilds in 2013.
Advocacy and Focus Areas
Cochrane is dedicated to advocating for projects that address the intersectionalities of need among young people. She emphasizes the importance of youth voice and needs-led projects in her work. Her commitment to ensuring that services are co-produced with input from young people reflects her focus on inclusivity and accessibility within community programs.