Manager - Community Development

• Aug 2023 - Present

• Lead role in Community Wealth Building.• Deputising for the Senior Manager – Community Development and CEO.• Managing a team of Community Development Officers. • Working closely with partners from NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Police Scotland, and Scottish Fire & Rescue at a strategic level. • Coordinating the North Lanarkshire Community & Voluntary Sector (CVS) Employability Network. • Member of the North Lanarkshire Local Employability Partnership representing the Community & Voluntary Sector. Show less

Senior Community Development Officer

• Dec 2021 - Aug 2023

• Successfully managed a team of Community Development Officers, ensuring effective collaboration and achievement of objectives.• Fostered strong relationships with key stakeholders, including NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Police Scotland, and Scottish Fire & Rescue, to facilitate meaningful engagement with the voluntary sector.• Played a pivotal role in supporting the development and coordination of voluntary sector activities at a local level.• Provided comprehensive organisational development support to local voluntary sector organisations, facilitating their growth and effectiveness.• Offered guidance and assistance to voluntary sector organisations and volunteers on various volunteering issues, ensuring a positive and fulfilling experience for all parties involved.• Played a key role in capturing, analysing, and reporting on organisational performance, aligning with strategic plans and contributing to business development.• Produced reports for the Scottish Government and contributed valuable content to various strategies, influencing policy and decision-making processes.• Served as the Coordinator for the North Lanarkshire Community & Voluntary Sector Employability Network, fostering collaboration and promoting employability initiatives within the sector.• Acted as a representative for the voluntary sector at the North Lanarkshire Local Employability Partnership, advocating for the needs and interests of the sector and ensuring their inclusion in local employability initiatives.• Arranged and facilitated a variety of events including locality network events, CommUnity Agreement events and conferences.Key AchievementsLed the team in implementing strategic initiatives that resulted in increased community engagement and participation.Developed and executed effective partnership strategies, resulting in enhanced collaboration between the voluntary sector and key stakeholders. Show less

Development Officer

• Apr 2015 - Dec 2021

• Successfully coordinated the activities of the North Lanarkshire Community & Voluntary Sector Employability Network, fostering collaboration and promoting employability initiatives within the sector.• Acted as a representative for the voluntary sector at the North Lanarkshire Local Employability Partnership, advocating for the needs and interests of the sector and ensuring their inclusion in local employability initiatives.• Led project coordination for the Digital Friends Befriending Support Project, overseeing the line management of the Project Assistant and ensuring successful project implementation.• Served as a member of the Motherwell Community Board, representing VANL and facilitating the Digital Inclusion and Environmental subgroups to address community needs and deliver on the local outcome improvement plan.• Collaborated with colleagues from North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire as a member of the Joint Locality Team for Motherwell, working together to improve community outcomes.• Provided dedicated support to voluntary sector organisations and their volunteers, ensuring their needs and objectives were met.• Assisted organisations in achieving the Volunteer Friendly Quality Award, promoting excellence in volunteer management and recognition.• Acted as a representative for VANL, actively promoting volunteering and its benefits within the community.• Delivered training sessions and talks to organisations on a variety of topics based on need. • Served as a signatory for the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.• Hosted a series of Locality Network Events throughout North Lanarkshire, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the sector. • Held the position of Vice Chair for Young Enterprise Scotland (Lanarkshire), contributing to the development of young entrepreneurs.• Chaired the NL Home Visiting & Befriending Network and provided support to organisations. Show less

Monitoring & Support Officer

• Sep 2008 - Mar 2015

• Monitored and supported organisations participating in employment initiatives including Future Jobs fund and the Wellwynd Employment Initiative which was a local employability programme for the Airdrie area.• Supported organisations to develop policies, procedures and processes, also carrying out organisational reviews and preparation of action plans.• Supported organisations with ongoing monitoring & reporting.• Liaised effectively with partner referral organisations including Job Centre Plus & North Lanarkshire Council to ensure successful delivery of the Future Jobs Fund programme.Key Achievements: Member of strategic partnership recognised by DWP for contribution to the voluntary sector involvement in Future Jobs Fund in North Lanarkshire. Show less

Personal Development Coach & Mentor

• Jan 2022 - Present

Locality Link Officer

• Mar 2020 - Aug 2020

During Covid 19 I have the role of Locality Link Officer working closely with colleagues from North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire. VANL is providing the link between the Community & Voluntary Sector and North Lanarkshire Council's Community Assistance Team & Financial Inclusion Team. • I have responsibility for the Motherwell area and coordination of the Motherwell Team. • Duties include sending referrals to the most appropriate Community & Voluntary Sector organisations who are supporting those that are shielding or self isolating. • Support local organisations where required. This is in addition to my normal role which has been adapted to meet current guidelines. Liaising with both colleagues and the sector via various means including MS Teams, Zoom and email. Show less

Network Development Officer

• Jun 2004 - Aug 2008

• Develop and maintain a database of Lanarkshire social enterprise organisations. • Promote and raise awareness of social enterprises in Lanarkshire.• Assist new and existing organisations to identify enterprising opportunities and provide ongoing support with areas including finance, promotion and partnership working. Key Achievements in this role: Worked with and supported social enterprises in Lanarkshire. Raising awareness of social enterprise as a model which would reduce grant dependency. Show less

Project Worker

• Jul 2005 - Jul 2007

• Mapping exercise for social enterprise activity within urban South Lanarkshire.• Consulted organisations to establish current service provision.• Supported a number of new social enterprises.Key Achievements in this role: Established an up to date list of social enterprises operating within urban South Lanarkshire and supported a number of new organisations.

Development Worker

• Jun 2004 - Jun 2005

• Work with and support the Local Communities Development Trust.• Prepare a funding strategy and complete funding applications.• Manage the Trust budget.• Support the Board as required.Key Achievements in this role: Full support provided to the Board to allow them to pursue new opportunities

Resources Administrator

• Apr 2002 - Jun 2004

• Production of stats and coordination of staff rota system for over 800 people for Intelligent Finance.• Prioritise and reallocate staff in accordance with business need.• Chair daily resource meetings for St James Place Bank.Key Achievements in this role: Management of resources to optimise service delivery.

Deputy Team Manager

• Jul 2001 - Mar 2002

• Deputy Team Manager for a team of 15 staff.• Supported the Team Manager to carry out performance reviews and deal with staffing issues.• Attended daily management meetings.• Dealt with solicitors and customers regarding remortgage legal issues and assigned tasks to be performed within required timescales to release funds.Key Achievements in this role: Worked alongside other teams, the contact centre and solicitors to ensure customers remortgages were processed in a timely manner. Show less

Customer Service Administrator

• Jun 2000 - Jun 2001

• Liaised with a panel of solicitors regarding legal issues impacting on remortgages.• Preparation of funds release for remortgages.• Working with the contact centre for any general customer enquiries.Key Achievements in this role: Provided excellent customer service to ensure customers were kept informed of the process and that funds were released in a timely manner.

Commercial Assistant

• Jun 1992 - Mar 2000

Processed orders for home & export customers which required a knowledge of requirements for different sectors and countries.Project management of high value orders including production, finance and logistics.Key Achievements in this role: Gained knowledge and worked within a variety of requirements to ensure customers received excellent customer service.

Clerical Assistant

• Apr 1991 - May 1992

• Carried out a wide range of clerical tasks including dealing with customer enquiries and compiling offers of steel plate supply.Key Achievements in this role: This role allowed me to work in several specialist teams and gain knowledge and experience of dealing with a variety of customers and their requirements.

Commercial Trainee

• Sep 1988 - Mar 1991

• Spent over two years training in all aspects of production, sales, finance, logistics and project management.• Monthly rotations in various departments and locations including Dalzell Steelworks, Scunthorpe, Leeds and Teesside.Key Achievements in this role: This training provided me with the skills and knowledge to deliver excellent service to customers.

Trainee Auditor

• Jun 1988 - Aug 1988

• Assisted Auditors with annual audits at client's premises. • Assisted Auditors with annual audits at client's premises.