Mother, campaigner, social activist and honorary doctor, Dr Coll is a Scottish Diversity Champion of the Year winner, 2019 and founder of the charity One Community Scotland (OCS). She currently works as a Project Manager for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and has received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her tireless campaigning and charity work.
The accolade from Stirling University was awarded to her for founding OCS, which offers support to young people and families who are new to the country. The award-winning charity’s aim is to help those from a diverse background overcome barriers and reach their potential as they create a life in Scotland. OCS provides support with everything from mental wellbeing to employability and training and focuses on young people aged 12 to 24 and their families. Dr Coll has supported vulnerable families in Scotland for more than two decades. Her work is informed by her own experience of the challenges encountered moving from Africa to Scotland with a young family. She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2020 birthday honours for services to diversity and equality, and an honorary doctorate from Stirling University in 2023 for her charity and campaigning work. She is also a long-time campaigner against female genital mutilation and gender-based violence.