If I asked you to tell a story, how would you choose to entertain me? Play to your strengths I’d say – draw a picture, write it down, speak your heart. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind how you told your tale. But just say I asked you to create a book. Would you be able to rise to the challenge? Well, that is exactly what 12,000 young people in Scotland have done over the last 10 years, thanks to the support and inspiring efforts of one charity - the Super Power Agency.

How It Started

The Agency began as the spark of an idea.
In 2015, I volunteered in Wester Hailes High School using art as therapy for struggling pupils. I quickly realised that some students had completely switched off from learning. Desperately, a number could neither read or write.

At the time of my mentoring, my own four children were benefitting from numerous opportunities to learn and stretch themselves. In contrast, statistics told me that if poverty or lack of opportunity snubbed out the creative force of a pupil by the age of 16, their future was likely to be bleak. Despite the efforts of their teachers, their school-age writing ability and in turn adult literacy level, would be far below that needed for everyday life. Something had to be done.

Perseverance and Passion

Inspired by the American writer Dave Eggers and his memoir ‘A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius’, I became determined to make a difference. I dreamt of a team of volunteer heroes who would work directly with young people at school to enable them to write their own stories – to create inspiring, funny and powerful tales that would stimulate confidence and ambition within young minds. And so the Super Power Agency was born.

My particular super power is not writing. In fact, I have always struggled to put words on paper. But from a very young age, I have had access to the support needed to help me through. I do however have one particular gift with words. A clever, older brother’s love-filled jibes taught me to think quickly and sharply. I can be very persuasive when passionate about a particular cause.

So, ten years ago, you would find me talking to anyone and everyone about the need for the Super Power Agency. Scotland’s writers, artists, corporations, designers, schools, educators, fund-raisers – they were all on my target list. Hours of my time was used to approach people I admired for their talent and creative foresight.

I absolutely loved describing the vision for the Agency. Slowly but surely, my seed fund - a legacy from my beautiful, gone-too-soon brother Richard who also loved Scotland - grew and within six months, a small team with a very clear remit was in place. The spark was beginning to shine very brightly.

Star Power

I am proud to say that several of Scotland’s best-loved writers were on my original target list. For there is nothing quite like a household ‘name’ for grabbing the attention of young minds and potential sponsors.

In 2016 I manoeuvred a meeting with Sir Ian Rankin with the intention of discussing my hopes and dreams for the agency. He was clear – interested and supportive but really, rather too busy to be involved. Oh Sir Ian – how you rose to the challenge and how we love you for it. Just like other creative geniuses who have since volunteered for the agency, including poet Michael Pederson, artist Kevin Harman and journalist David Robinson, Ian dressed as one of his own literary super heroes (the original ‘Man from U.N.C.L.E’) and injected spectacular life and fun into writing sessions.

A Community of Creatives

In addition to our high-profile volunteers, the day-to-day organisation and actions of The Super Power Agency involves a wide range of very special people: The 55 school teams we work so closely with; the 600 volunteers who have given precious time and talent; Board Members such as photographer Phoebe Grigor, who has been there to capture that last decade of magic, and our original Chair Valerie Lindsay; our current team led by Chief Operating Officer Claire Heffernan – all are part of a powerful force for good backed by brilliantly generous supporters and advocates. The whole journey has been extraordinary and everyone who has said ‘yes I’m interested’ and ‘yes I can help’ has been a star.

About the Future

During the last decade, we have reached many of our targets and have created a robust and financially sound organisation. But there is so much more to be done. There are still far too many schools and pupils not benefitting from the Super Power Agency and we need to widen and further our mission to make a difference. We are also seeking partners to build our first writing centre for young people and would happily become a blueprint for other UK cities and communities to follow.

As for me, after a decade of being closely involved in the agency, it is time to take a step back. The team have the confidence and ability to fly without me. And, as the charity’s first Patron (which makes me giddy with pride), I will be there to support and witness what is achieved.

Bring on the next ten years and if you would like to be part of the Super Power Agency, find out more on the website and get in touch. Our team would love to hear from you.

Friday 25th September, 2026
Edinburgh
Celebrating 10 years with our Board and newly appointed Patrons