Patricia Gray

Synergy Publishing

Synergy Publishing

I am a professional, full-time, writer and editor with a BA (Hons) Publishing degree. I work with Ray Clark a professional photographer. Together we are Synergy Publishing.

• Startup type: Company
• Status: Active
• Stage: Growth

I am a professional, full-time writer and editor with a BA (Hons) Publishing degree. I work with photographer, Ray Clark and together we are Synergy Publishing www.synergypublishing.org.uk.

Employer:	Synergy Publishing, http://www.synergypublishing.org.uk/
Position:	editor and writer
Time period:	June 2007 - Present
Description:	I manage a publishing company, working with photographer Ray Clark. I am in the process of launching Independent Professional Advocacy Services IPAS. This charity provides professional advocacy and literacy support to people with mental health and psychiatric problems.

Employer:	Luath Press
Position:	All round experience in a small publishing house
Time period:	October 2003 - Present

Employer:	Avenue Scotland Limited, Dunfermline
Position:	Work experience
Time period:	October 2001 - Present
Description:	With this agency, I have undertaken a wide range of placements, which enabled wide experience in a variety of administrative settings. Residents’ Federation: Administrator. Managing all administration for the federation and eight affiliated tenants’ associations. Entirely responsible for all administrative procedures, including writing and publishing newsletters, invites, tickets, cards, brochures (including the annual report), certificates, and leaflets. I was responsible for all correspondence, diary, minutes, minute taking, filing, agendas, distribution of committee papers, postage; and dealing with phone and personal enquiries. (Maternity leave cover) I have an excellent reference from this company, which states ‘Patricia proved a valuable asset...her attitude to adapt to the way we worked was exceptional, sometimes giving new insights into the way we operated...’

Employer:	Ministry of Defence
Position:	Allocations and Licenses Officer
Time period:	August 2005 - February 2006
Description:	I was responsible for allocations and licences (service personnel are licensees rather than tenants) and allocating all MOD tri-services housing for the north of Scotland, which consists of around 1500 houses. I processed allocations’ information using Anite software. I liased with and provided customer care for all levels of MOD personnel worldwide. This works involved knowledge of: housing law, tri-service regulations, and the Civil Partnerships Act etc.

Employer:	Health Scotland
Position:	PA/Divisional Secretary,
Time period:	April 2004 - June 2005
Description:	Working closely with Dr James Inglis Director for Public health for Scotland/Public Health Consultant: I edited materials concerning public health issues and updated health information. I maintained the diary; dealt with travel, meetings, conference bookings; copy and audio typing; general secretarial and admin duties; and selected relevant press material.

Employer:	Lynebank Hospital
Position:	Work experience
Time period:	January 1990 - December 1996
Description:	In this employment, I taught life skills to people with learning difficulties and psychiatric problems. During my time with the NHS, I attended many courses including: intensive communication techniques; dealing effectively with violence and aggression; cardio-pulmonary resuscitation; marital and sexual rights for people with learning difficulties; lifting and handling people; and various health and safety courses. I enjoyed this work but left because the hospital was closing, also by 1996, I had attended night-school and decided to progress to full-time education. At that time, I considered my main interests to be: English, Art, and books in general, therefore I chose to study Publishing.

Employer:	Occupational Health & Safety Advisory Services (OHSAS)
Position:	Medical Secretary for Lothian and Borders Police
Time period:	June 2005

Hobbies:

I am a keen reader, reading widely on many subjects. During my degree studies, I returned to the social exclusion issues nurtured while working with people with learning/psychiatric difficulties. I integrated this interest into many of the subjects which allowed personal input eg the seminar paper I composed and presented in Year 4 ‘Are Libraries Still Needed?’ argued strongly in favour of the retention of public libraries for purposes of social inclusion. My dissertation topic discussed the ethicality and legality of criminals profiting from biographical works. I received high praise for this work, for its originality, depth of research, and for the enthusiasm with which I pursued the subject. I followed this interest up by attending the Citizens’ Advice Rights Fife training course. This was a volunteering course with Citizens’ Advice Rights Fife (CARF), which included comprehensive training in recognizing social exclusion issues, identifying and delivering accurate information and advice especially concerning benefits, and associated administrative work. While with Luath Press, I wrote a paper at the request of the director, Gavin MacDougall, on the state of contemporary Scottish writing and its availability in Scottish libraries i.e. where Catherine Cookston is available but not Scottish writing, especially that written by new writers and published by Scottish publishers. This document was presented to the Scottish Parliament i.e. all MSPs, as a consultation paper for the debate on ‘100 years of Scottish libraries’ where it was widely referred to, and quoted from, during the debate. More recently, I have joined the Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) and have undertaken my Radio Communications Course and First Aid at Sea. I undertake practical boat and sailing work on Sundays and theory training on Thursday evenings. This unit will evolve and include a charity, which teaches sailing skills to people with substance abuse problems. MVS are involved in arranging trips to view sea wildlife, eg dolphins, sharks, seals, and are WiSe accredited. I have recently attained my Powerboat II licence.