Meet the Team

Kaileigh Brown – Executive Director

Kaileigh has been with the company since 2007 when she started as a Clerical Officer. Since then she has progressed to a Placement Officer, Voluntary Action Team Leader then Operations Manager, participating in some extremely relevant CPD throughout this journey. Kaileigh has most recently secured the post of Executive Director Third Sector, where she will oversee the organisation. Specifically, Kaileigh focuses on the implementation of the Third Sector Interface Business Plan, creating and maintaining strategic connections and relationships whilst ensuring that the 3rd Sector has opportunities to contribute to both local and national priorities. Kaileigh is also responsible for our relationship with the wider Third Sector Interface (TSI) Network in Scotland alongside our TSI Partner, Arran Community and Voluntary Service.

Kaileigh is keen to engage with organisations and individuals to discuss their experiences. If you would like to get in touch, please do so by emailing: kaileigh@tact.scot

Lauren Smith – Office Manager

Hi, I’m Lauren and I’m TACT’s Office Manager. I started with TACT through a 6 month Community Job Scotland programme as a temporary Admin Assistant which then lead on to full time employment and I have now been here for 13 years. I have moved into the role of Office Manager and I am really enjoying the role.

I am responsible for the day to day running of the office, Health & Safety, and also the distribution of the E-bulletin. I can also help you with Saltire and any general enquires.

 
 
 
 

Cheryl Newall – Employability Team Leader

Cheryl is working on The Positive Steps with Partners project in partnership with The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. This project offers a different type of volunteer experience to people where they can gain practical work based skills, work towards accredited qualifications and access different personal development opportunities.

“I’m very excited to be part of this project as I know myself the benefits volunteering can bring to someone’s life. Volunteering helped me progress into employment and this is what I hope to achieve with the volunteers involved in The Positive Steps with Partners Project”.

 

Ann Wilson – Volunteer Development Worker

Ann has been with the company since 2003 and for most of that time focused on providing training to both individuals and organisations. She has extensive knowledge on Volunteer Management and policies and procedures on all aspects of volunteering.

Part of the Third Sector Interface Team, she can help with developing the resources needed to enable organisations to utilise their volunteers to the benefit of the organisation, the volunteer and the client group that the organisation represents. Ann has an Honours Degree in Social Science, a University Diploma in Volunteer Management, holds an SQA Assessors Award and is the SQA Co-ordinator for TACT.

She is able to help volunteers find placements and can help organisations develop opportunities, Accredited facilitator for Pacific Institute’s Investment in Excellence, STEPS to Excellence for Personal Success and PX 2 courses. She is extremely keen to hear from any organisations that would like to improve their volunteer’s experience by obtaining the ‘Volunteer Friendly Award’.

John Edgar – Digital Communications Officer

John started as a volunteer with TACT in 2013 and then gained employment with us in 2014. He has a background in commercial digital media development and was responsible for several major digital projects: #NA2014, Town Centre TV and Trinity Studios. He’s able to offer digital services to the third sector such as website design, video and audio production, graphic design, virtual reality applications to help improve mental health and wellbeing and also interactive E-Learning and immersive virtual experiences for cultural heritage projects.

Diane Clancy – Volunteer Supervisor (Eglinton Community Garden)

Hi, I’m Diane. I moved to North Ayrshire in 2014. I started with TACT through a Volunteering opportunity in 2015 which involved me helping with a basic two hour weekly IT Course for local people with no computer knowledge, helping them with access and confidence in using computer systems. This in turn lead on to part-time employment with TACT working for the Job Club which was run for the community to help clients with CV writing, job searches, registering and logging onto the Universal Job Match etc. I am currently supervising a group of Volunteers at Eglinton Country Park, where we are maintaining and developing a large established community garden for volunteers to come along and help in whatever way is suitable for them, we have a wide range of things that people can be included and get involved in whatever the season and weather. So if you think it’s something you’d be interested in then please get in touch to discuss things further.

Barbara Conner – Lead Capacity Building Officer

I have recently moved back into the Third Sector Interface in a new post as Lead Capacity Building Officer.  This is a great way for me to use my previous roles within the Volunteer Centre and now TACT and take what I’ve learned to transfer to the new role. Working with people has always been my remit be they volunteers, patients or staff.  In my new role I’ll be supporting third sector organisations to access Community Wealth Building in North Ayrshire.  Community Wealth Building aims to ‘keep it local’ by giving local organisations a chance to provide products, services and employment opportunities within North Ayrshire

Susan Manson – Capacity Building Officer

I started at TACT in 2011 after previously working for Council for Voluntary Services North Ayrshire as an administrator, I was also carrying out Independent Examinations for groups.

While working within TACT my knowledge of the voluntary sector has grown and continues to grow daily. I started helping volunteers find suitable opportunities which then grew to giving more support to organisations.  I then became a Development Worker and now I am a Capacity Building Officer which gives me a more focused approach to voluntary sector support

My responsibilities within TACT are that support the voluntary sector in many different ways. I can support groups with things such as help with annual accounts, training, legal structures, governance and so much more.  A new part of my role is Community Wealth Building and Community Benefits.

I am an Independent Examiner and can help community groups and charities by examining their accounts for the purpose of presenting at AGM’s or the annual submission to OSCR.

I am currently completing a SVQ IV in Community Development which will only help to strengthen my support to the sector.

Please get in touch to have a chat about how I can help your group.

 
 
 
 
 
Vikki Boland – Finance and Sustainability Manager

Vikki joined TACT in July 2021 as a part-time Finance Officer. She has a very successful background working in finance within a variety of positions. Vikki was attracted to this new position as she is from the local area and wants to help give back to the local community.

In 2022, Vikki progressed to a new role of Finance and Sustainability Manager where she now works alongside the Executive Director with the management, developmental and strategic leadership of TACT.

It has been a very welcome challenge progressing from finance officer to a managerial role. Enhancing my skillset to provide management reports, monitoring and reviewing costs and assisting with the long term sustainability of the organisation. I am enjoying learning new skills such as business development with identifying, supporting and writing funding applications. I look forward to continuing to learn and develop in my new role at TACT.”

 
 
 
 
 
John Beattie – Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Development Officer

I commenced employment with TACT on 27th June 2022 as our Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Development Officer. As part of the Third Sector Interface (TSI) Team, my main role is to provide information to and support groups and organisations in North Ayrshire that are interested in Community Asset Transfer (CAT). CAT is a process to allow a community organisation to take over publicly owned land or buildings, and my role within TACT is to support and assist any North Ayrshire group or organisation interested in exploring and/or engaging with this process.

Zara Little – Admin Support (Positive Steps)

Hi I’m Zara, I have joined TACT working with the Positive Steps with Partners Project as admin support. I got the opportunity to work here threw a pilot course the Council put on for parents looking to get back into work. I am excited to be a part of this project as Positive Steps offers so many great volunteering roles and more for people looking to boost confidence and gain new skills that they can then carry with them to return to work.

Gemma Stocks – Project Worker (Positive Steps)

Hi, I’m Gemma and I’m a Project Worker for Positive Steps with Partners project, I started in June 2023 and I have worked in the third sector for a few years and enjoy helping people to improve their mental health and self-confidence.

Day to day my job role varies and there is always a lot to get involved in and new ideas to bring to life. I find it really rewarding seeing people grow and move into volunteering opportunities and employment.

Carol Boyd – Project Manager (Saltcoats Link Up)

My name is Carol, I am a local Community Development Worker and Project Manager for Saltcoats Link Up. I’ve worked on the Link Up team since May 2022 and I have worked in the Three Towns and Kilwinning area for over 10 yrs.

I’m passionate about what we do and believe that people and community should be at the heart of everything that happens in our project.

Graham Burnett – Community Development Worker (Saltcoats Link Up)

Hello, I’m Graham and I joined TACT’s Saltcoats Link Up team in June 2023.
My role is as diverse and inspiring as the people that I work with.
One of the many fantastic aspects of my job is that no two days are ever the same!

Marie Doran – Community Development Worker (Saltcoats Link Up)

My name is Marie and I joined the Saltcoats Link Up team in August 2023.
I have worked in the Three Towns area for the last 10 years.
Being based in the Argyle Community Centre is like being part of the community family.

Michelle Trainer – Project Coordinator (Kindness Krew)

Hi, I am Michelle, I have joined to be the project coordinator for the new project Kindness Krew. I have worked in various localities in North Ayrshire within third-sector organisations. I have a vast experience of working with groups, organisations, and volunteers in many different projects. I was previously a community link worker so I’m bringing my skills, knowledge and experience to this new role. I’m very excited to see what it brings.