Alex Cameron

I am Alex Cameron and I have been a volunteer in A Positive Start’s Community Thrift Shop since
July 2023. I have lived in Hawick for the past five years after relocating from Edinburgh

where I lived, studied and worked for over 25 years. I have a Degree in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier
University and my background was originally in Print and Website publishing where I was
employed mainly in the Higher Education sector. Over the past ten years I have diversified and have
started a couple of small businesses in the historical tours and cycling sector where I still
occasionally work as a freelance cycle trainer. It was my love of the great outdoors that prompted
me to live in a rural location. I also love cycling and walking and there is an abundance of inspiring
scenery in the Scottish Borders. I also believe that these activities and nature can also greatly help to
improve our mental health and well-being and make us feel more connected.
Due to volunteering with A Positive Start CIC I have recently made the decision to train as a Lived
Experience Practitioner. I am at the beginning of this journey and I am currently working my way
towards completing APS’s Trauma Informed Trust course as well as exploring other training
opportunities. However, the counselling seed was actually planted over 20 years ago when I did an
Introduction to Counselling evening course at my local college. I have also sought various types of
counselling support over the years that has had a transformative effect on me and I have read
numerous books and articles as I have a love of knowledge and learning. I now feel that the time is
right for me to embark on this new chapter of my life and in the future I would like to work with
those who have experienced trauma in their lives and particularly members of the LGBT+
community.