Mike Findlay

Journalist & writer, third sector leader, transformational coach, equalities advocate

United Kingdom

I am a Scottish-based journalist & writer, third sector leader and transformational coach.

My passion is about the role that journalism has in its ability to change lives, create opportunities and challenge perceptions. Most of my writing is centred on social justice, equalities, and mental heath. I have published in a number of national news outlets including the Thomson Reuters Foundation, The Times, The Scotsman, amongst other publications.

I have worked my way through the world of Comms and media relations, from busy press office environments, to now being the CEO of an international non-profit which runs a news service, and works to tackle homelessness and poverty.

My autobiographic short story, 'The Janets', is a coming-of-age short story set in the mid-90s in Glasgow and Stirling and was published in 'Writing Our Space - An LGBTQ+ Anthology' by the Arkbound Foundation.

I am an experienced book reviewer. I also write features about people and organisations who do inspiring work in the charity/communities sector.

Having built a successful career in over the last 20 years in the public and third sectors, working in both London and Scotland, I have developed my writing portfolio over the years.

As an avid lifelong learner, I completed a postgraduate in journalism at Birkbeck, University of London, in 2015. In 2021, I qualified with an ICF Accredited Diploma in Transformational Coaching with the Animas Centre in London.

I'm happy to be approached about ideas for writing and projects.

Portfolio
Thetimes
06/02/2023
It's time we listen to what the homeless have to say about poverty

"Homelessness is a policy choice" is a mantra we often hear, highlighting how first-world governments and leaders sometimes fail to address the issues associated with poverty on their own doorsteps. In Scotland, we have seen the number of people classed as homeless hit an all-time high, an increase of 11 per cent this year.

OPENLY
OPENLY

Impartial LGBT+ news for a world that isn't

Third Force News
03/21/2022
New CEO unveiled for street paper network charity - TFN

Scottish-based charity, the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), has announced the appointment of its new CEO. Mike Findlay, a third sector leader with 20 years of experience working in senior communications roles in both London and Scotland, will take over at the helm of the charity from May 2.

Scotsman
New campaign to help LGBTQ+ community during festive period - Mike Findlay

Mike Findlay is Head of Communications & External Affairs at Victim Support Scotland Over Christmas, people within the LGBTQ+ community may experience loneliness and a lack of support from family and friends in relation to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Estrangement from family and friends is an unfortunate reality for some people who are LGBTQ+.

Westender Magazine
03/18/2022
Writer's Reveal Meets Sarah Smith - Westender Magazine

By Mike Findlay Westender readers would be hard pushed not to notice Brian Toal's complimentary review of Sarah Smith's Hear No Evil in the January/February edition of the magazine. Glasgow-based Sarah Smith has worked previously as a creative writing tutor, family history researcher and project worker with charities, including Deaf Connections, who supported her in the creation of this enticing book.

Westender Magazine
01/17/2022
The T.I.P. Of The Parenting Iceberg - Westender Magazine

How understanding trauma can help us all care for children better. By Mike Findlay Everyone who is a parent, or has cared for a child, aims to do their best. But the reality is that sometimes 'doing your best' isn't quite enough when it comes to caring for some children, particularly those with complex needs.

Westender Magazine
02/17/2020
The Rise of the Life Coaches - Westender Magazine

Mike Findlay investigates the trend for people training as life coaches as their second profession Many years ago, when I was living in 'that London', I hit a major rut in my working life. I was managing a team for the first time and it was hard work.

Westender Magazine
09/10/2021
Don't Fear The Tears, Marking World Suicide Prevention Day - Westender Magazine

Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK, according to the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and other major mental health charities. Let that sink in for a minute. It's not cancer, addictions or heart failure that kills most men. It is the decision to take their own life.

Psychreg
05/11/2020
Singer Heather Small Inspired Me to Do the London Marathon | Psychreg

262 total views, 5 views today Lockdown may seem like an odd time to write about the health benefits of running. Many major marathons are cancelled. But looking outside, it's hard not to notice the increased number of runners on our streets and in our parks - frustrated gym bunnies are pounding the pavements rather than the treadmill during these COVID-times.

Westender Magazine
11/14/2020
Running Therapy - Westender Magazine

Nearly everyone's mental health has had a knock at some point during the pandemic. Even the most positive of us have had our moments, particularly with changing restrictions and lockdowns. The more cooped-up inside we are, the more our mental health suffers. This much we know.

Book Reviews

Psychreg
09/17/2019
Review of 'Roofless' by Stewart Harvey | Psychreg

600 total views, 2 views today Approximately 320,000 people are homeless in the UK and the number is increasing, according to reports last year from the country's leading homelessness charity, Shelter . This number is not far off the entire population of Iceland. In other words, it is far too many.

SWHELPER
04/25/2018
Hiding in Plain Sight: Exploring Scotland's Wellness Health Book Review

Carol Craig believes her 'miserable' childhood affected her adult health Photo Credit: TINA NORRIS Can Scotland's overall poor health record be explained by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? This is the simple but undeniably challenging question that forms the basis of Carol Craig's book, the third in the series of short books - Postcards from Scotland - that are written to spark new thinking about why us Scots are the way that we are.

Psychreg
08/01/2021
Take Control of Your Own Influence: Book Review of 'Influence' by Adam Stones

I love it when two passions combine. Adam Stones' recently published Influence does that for me. Changemakers take note: this book is filled with expert advice, guidance and tools to improve the communications for your cause or business (as a third sector communications leader this resonates with me) but not only that, it takes on an almost coaching approach to the subject, empowering readers to take control of their own influence (as a trained coach, I love the connectedness between comms...

SWHELPER
12/11/2018
Right from the Start: Investing in Parents and Babies - Alan Sinclair

It is widely accepted the earliest months and years of a child's existence have the most profound impact on the rest of the lives. Attachment theorists believe the early bonds and relationships a child forms with his/her carer(s) or parent(s), informs that child's ability or inability to form successful and healthy relationships in the future.

Equalities and third sector

Helsahelps
What's Behind the Spiking LGBTQ+ Hate Crime Figures Across the UK?

Geri, who is a trans woman living in Glasgow, recently told me about an incident where she overhead a member of staff at a train station commenting about her loudly to a colleague. "That's a geezer!" he said to his two colleagues, and then to a passer-by who responded, "Aye, definitely a guy, f*cking poof."

Third Force News
06/22/2020
We must stand up to hate crime

Mike Findlay says its vital to think about how we can support the LGBT+ community as Pride Month draws to a close June is Pride month. Normally at this time of year we see LGBT+ celebrations taking place globally involving marches, floats, and rainbow flags hanging from buildings.

Scotsman
No poverty of imagination in Scotland - Mike Findlay

group of students who undertook an inclusive publishing programme visiting a commercial printer. Many vulnerable or so called "disadvantaged" people and groups in society have become even more vulnerable at this time - mentally, physically and financially. But it's not all doom and gloom.

Third Force News
06/01/2021
The world paused, crime hasn't - TFN

Like most third sector organisations, Victim Support Scotland has seen many challenges during the Coronavirus pandemic. With the switch to remote working, we've had to rely on Microsoft Teams and good WiFi connections, to deliver our work and services.

Psychreg
09/28/2019
What We Should Know About Scotland's Conversation on LGBTQ+ Mental health | Psychreg

Mike Findlay, (2019, September 28). What We Should Know About Scotland's Conversation on LGBTQ+ Mental health. Psychreg on LGBT Psychology. https://www.psychreg.org/scotland-lgbtq-mental-health/ 828 total views, 2 views today 'I felt like a project, not a person.' This quote comes from a gay man's description of his experience of accessing counselling service while he was at university.

Westender Magazine
06/01/2020
All Aboard For The Arkbound - Westender Magazine

Mike Findlay introduces a new charity to Glasgow that has the ability to transform lives through writing. Us Scots like our literature. We can also boast about our number of well-kent writers: A L Kennedy, Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin, Louise Welsh, to name a few.

Professional / business

Westender Magazine
04/16/2021
Time, People & Money by Mike Findlay - Westender Magazine

Running your own profitable business can be taxing. From identifying your USP (unique selling point), recruiting the right team, establishing your loyal customers, through to financial planning. Is it any wonder that many local businesses struggle to find their feet? But fear not, help is at hand.

Westender Magazine
03/01/2019
Power In Sharing - Westender Magazine

Mike Findlay meets an inspiring community group in Glasgow who are supporting addictive eaters on the road to recovery. The current lockdown is exacerbating some people's behaviours, for better and for worse. If you are an obsessive or addictive eater, this is a particularly prickly time.

Psychreg
10/11/2019
What Can F-Up Nights Do for Our Mental Health | Psychreg

Mike Findlay, (2019, October 11). What Can F-Up Nights Do for Our Mental Health. Psychreg on Positive Psychology. https://www.psychreg.org/f-up-nights/ 863 total views, 1 views today Last week I received an intriguing email inviting me to the first 'F-up Night' in my hometown, Glasgow.

SWHELPER
01/21/2018
Networking - The Best Way to Keep Learning on the Job

Like most comms professionals, I have a curiosity about learning. Be it about the latest craze on social media, or the newest news platform that I could try and get my organisation into. I have been fairly diligent about keeping my skills set up-to-date.