VAS Core Staff Team

I have worked in Voluntary Sector for over 20 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 for 26 years. 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.

In my role as Youth Volunteering Support Worker, I hope to pass on my passion for volunteering to other young people. The great thing about volunteering is that it enables you to try and test things that you are interested in while giving back to others. When I moved to Shetland volunteering was the first thing I did and it opened many doors for me. Shetland has such a wonderful culture of volunteering and I feel like taking part in it has so much to offer for everyone.

I really enjoy taking part in Shetland's great community during and after work and I do this by dancing at the Shetland Community School of Ballet and playing rugby for the Shetland Women's Rugby team.

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.

“I started my role as a Receptionist/Clerical Assistant in November 2021. I really enjoy working at Market House getting to greet clients, helping people with information, the day to day running of reception & learning new things everyday. Luckily I was offered the chance to split my time in September 2023 to become the Finance and Admin Assistant along with my reception role. I am so looking forward to a new challenge alongside the job I already love. I love learning about The Third Sector and all it’s varied & wonderful services that are out there for people. In my spare time I love spending time with my family, friends & my cats & also reading, writing, walking & watching documentaries”