Meet Rob: Leading Scotty’s STRIDES Programme
We are thrilled to welcome Rob Illett to the Scotty’s team as the new STRIDES Programme Lead. Rob brings years of experience in bereavement care, particularly in supporting children and young people in school settings. With Rob’s expertise, Scotty’s will continue to grow the educational and developmental support available to the children & young people of bereaved military families.
Rob’s new role leads the STRIDES Programme, which is all about helping young people thrive in education and development.
Rob’s Passion for Supporting Bereaved Families
Rob is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with a passion for helping young people overcome barriers to learning and development following the loss of a loved one. Since qualifying from Birkbeck College, University of London, in 2016, Rob has built bereavement services for children in several hospices across Essex and Suffolk, providing holistic care to families navigating loss. His previous work includes developing support services within schools, helping staff understand and address the unique needs of bereaved students.
Rob shared his excitement about joining Scotty’s Little Soldiers:
“I’ve always been inspired by the care and support that Scotty’s offers to its members. I look forward to raising awareness of the needs of bereaved military children and ensuring that Scotty Members have the opportunity to thrive and succeed in life—without letting the past be a barrier to their potential.”
Growing the STRIDES Programme
In his role as STRIDES Lead, Rob will continue to develop the Programme, focusing on removing barriers to learning and helping young people build confidence. Through training, school consultations, and financial support for educational resources and extracurricular activities, Rob will ensure that bereaved military children can access the tools they need to thrive.
Rachel Scott, Head of Service at Scotty’s, expressed her excitement about Rob joining the team:
“Rob’s vast experience in bereavement care, combined with his passion for supporting young people, makes him the perfect fit for our STRIDES Programme. We’re confident that with Rob’s leadership, we will continue to enhance the educational and developmental opportunities available to our members.”
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is committed to making sure that every bereaved military child is supported in achieving their full potential, and Rob’s work in the STRIDES Programme is a key part of that mission.
To learn more about our programmes and how you can help support bereaved military families, click here.
