Ru Jarvis joined Tourette Scotland as the Project Coordinator in October 2025.  He has worked for various charities in the health and veterans’ sectors in recent years, and is currently a trustee of two others.  Before that he had a varied career as a university researcher, an army officer and as a secondary school teacher, and admits that what he loves most about working with small charities like TS is the privilege of working with the absolute heart and soul of the charity: the volunteers and service users.  In his (not always terribly hard working) 4 years as a student in St Andrews in the 80s he was lucky enough to be closely involved with a fundraising organisation that supported only properly small local charities, and he has never lost that desire to see the actual difference that time and people can make, rather than getting distanced from the coalface by too much time in a swivel chair.
With a self-confessed recreational gypsy streak, he has lived in 24 houses in 10 different countries over the years, but has promised us it’s not just because he’s avoiding paying the fines on an overdue library book from when he was wee. He now stays in Dumfries & Galloway where he is lucky enough to volunteer as a Coastguard, so he gets to wear very important looking safety kit on stunning beaches, and tries not to get too nostalgic when a rescue helicopter gets involved.
His greatest weaknesses are freshly baked bread and an irrational desire to sleep outside when it’s raining, and his partner can confirm that his answer to any big question will involve a cup of strong tea with barely any milk, but two sugars.

I have four awesome kids, a gorgeous granddaughter and one crazy dog. I have Tourette's as do two of my kids. I joined the Fife support group after my youngest son was diagnosed and it made a massive difference to us. We went from being terrified and lost to feeling like part of a new family. This involvement helped me grow in knowledge, understanding, and confidence in all things Tourette's and I loved being a part of it all. I joined the committee in 2017 and was part of the team who relaunched Tourette Scotland in 2018, updating our training program, information, relaunching groups, and introducing new services. I've recently stepped down from the committee but continue to volunteer.

Tourette Scotland is a charity close to my heart as I have 3 family members with Tourette's. My niece and nephews have taught me so much and I am immensely proud of them and their achievements. In my day job I am an Occupational Therapist so I bring many of my skills to the work I do with the charity. My interests and hobbies are many but my favourite is NERF, yes, I love to run around big venues like football stadiums and shopping malls with toy blasters, shooting zombies and other people!! It's so much fun! I also love the gym, I love classes and lifting weights and the many lovely people I've met along the way. Finally, I love a good gig, preferably heavy rock or metal (yes, I know, I don't quite look like a heavy metal fan or rock chick ;-)).

I have three children with Tourette syndrome and all the co-existing conditions! I started helping out with Tourette Scotland when my middle child was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. I became more and more interested in supporting Tourette Scotland due to the help and support we received as a family, particularly when we were in crisis and couldn’t see a way forward. 

I served on the committee for 3 years and only stood down last year. I am still heavily involved in training and outreach. I assist with training in schools, work place, NHS and anywhere really that needs it.