We are celebrating the exciting news that two of the Care Inspectorate’s young inspection volunteers have been selected for prestigious roles through the First Minister’s mentorship initiative.

Toni Twigg has been selected as the overall winner by the First Minister and will be mentored by Nicola Sturgeon for one year. Ashley Mayer, who was also on the final shortlist of candidates, will now be matched with a mentor through the Scottish Chambers of Commerce network.

Gordon Weir, Interim Chief Executive, said: “I know the mentoring experience will be of real benefit to Toni and Ashley. During my career, I have been a mentor and so I know this amazing opportunity will be hugely rewarding.

“As young inspection volunteers, Toni and Ashley help amplify the voices of children and young people who are experiencing care. They are passionate about ensuring the voice of care experienced people is heard and acted on. Young inspection volunteers like Toni and Ashley join our inspections of children’s services right across Scotland and help those services to reach high standards.

“Toni and Ashley are real assets in our fantastic team of young inspection volunteers. Everyone at the Care Inspectorate is so proud and thrilled.”

The First Minister officially announced Toni as the new First Mentee today at the Advisory Council of Women and Girls in Edinburgh. She said: “I am looking forward to getting to know Toni and working more closely with her in the year ahead. When I met Toni during the shortlisting process I was really impressed by her determination and ambition to raise awareness of care experienced young people in Scotland – an issue close to my heart.

“Toni is a passionate and intelligent young woman. I hope that working with her over the next year will help her take a step closer to achieving her goals and realising her ambitions for the future.”

During the mentorship period, Toni will have a minimum of four 1:1 mentoring sessions with the First Minister, as well as the opportunity to shadow her at events and in meetings throughout the year.

Toni said: “I am passionate about raising the profile of care experienced young people and, through this experience as the First Minister’s mentee, I hope to help break the stigma that often surrounds them.

“I decided to volunteer with the Care Inspectorate because I know how it feels to be in the care system and to feel as if no one cares or understands you. I want to let young people know they are not alone. I make sure that in my role as a young inspection volunteer I let each young person I speak to know that they are valued, they can achieve anything, and that they are loved and cared for by many people in this world.”

If you’d like to know more about what motivates young people to volunteer with us read Toni Twigg’s blog on our website.

If you’re interested in becoming a young inspection volunteer, you can find more information on the Care Inspectorate website. We’re also happy to answer any questions you may have, just email the Involvement team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.