VAS Core Staff Team

I have worked in Voluntary Sector for over 25 years and I am passionate about supporting communities to lead the way in resolving issues by listening to people and helping them to develop resources and services to meet the needs of their own community. I love working in the voluntary sector because it has the ability to be flexible and adaptable to meet emerging needs. Through my role within Voluntary Action Shetland I champion the sector to ensure it has a voice at Community Planning and at strategic level to help develop strong partnership working to meet the needs of those in our community

I have lived in Shetland since 2007 and have worked for VAS since then. My work is very varied – I support the development of the third sector in Shetland, making sure their voice is heard and I’m responsible for the day to day VAS management and looking after Market House. When not working I enjoy crafting using recycled textiles to give them a new life. My new passion is open water swimming (or rather floating), it’s so invigorating after a busy day in Market House.

I work with the accounts and payroll for VAS. I also deliver an accounts and payroll service to support charities and community/voluntary groups within Shetland. I am part of the team that complete Independent Examinations for Charities and community/voluntary groups across Shetland. This involves checking over their accounts, their governing document and looking at what charitable activity has taken place over the last year. This is really rewarding work - I enjoy working with and supporting the volunteers involved in making Shetland’s third sector so diverse and vibrant.

I have been involved in Shetland’s vibrant voluntary sector for as long as I can remember, both as a volunteer and also working in the sector since 1995. I joined Voluntary Action Shetland as a Volunteer Support Worker in 2008 supporting adult volunteers to find a volunteering opportunity and also supporting organisations to recruit and retain volunteers.

I have been working as the Youth Volunteer Development Worker at Voluntary Action Shetland since January 2026. If you are a young person under the age of 26 who is curious about volunteering then I am here to help support you to grow and develop as an individual whilst giving back to those around you and your community. A large part of my role is facilitating the Saltire Awards ceremony where we help to recognise the amazing volunteering work that young people are doing across Shetland. My personal journey with volunteering goes back to when I was a teenager, where I would help with various sporting activities (something I still do regularly now as a coach at a junior netball team). My experience with VAS also goes way back, having received Saltire Awards myself, being a previous Saltire Ambassador and more recently helping at the Saltire Awards ceremony. Outside of work you will usually find me running around either the hockey pitch or a netball court!

If you want to find out about setting up or dissolving an organisation, whether to apply for charitable status, or what sort of constitution and legal structure is best for your organisation then chat to me. I also facilitate the Shetland Community Facilities Network and deliver a range of training for committees. Finally I produce the Voluntary and Independent Sector Partnership (VISP) newsletters which keep people up to date on third sector news and funding opportunities.

I’ve worked in the voluntary sector for over 30 years and am on several volunteer committees in Shetland. I love living in Shetland and in my spare time I enjoy dancing, painting, reading and swimming in the sea.

At VAS, my job roles are split into 21 hours as the Admin & Finance Assistant & 14 hours as the Receptionist & Clerical Assistant. This provides me with a variety of tasks throughout my working week. I'm constantly learning new skills, meeting wonderful people & keeping up with the ever changing Third Sector. I love working at Market House alongside some of Shetland's most valuable services. The Third Sector is varied, vibrant & valuable. In my spare time, I love spending time with my loved ones, watching documentaries of any kind, DIY & writing.

I’ve been working as a Receptionist at Market house since April 2024. I really enjoy making sure everyone feels welcomed and supported. Whether it’s answering the phone, greeting visitors or helping the different organisations in the building where I can, I like knowing that I’m making a positive impact. I’m always excited to learn something new and have really enjoyed gaining more knowledge about the third sector in Shetland and how much non-profit organisations can positively impact our community. Outside of work I am a mum of two kids, which keeps me busy! When I do have some spare time to myself, I enjoy playing video games, watching sci-fi and trying to keep my house plants alive!