About Us

Karen is Company Secretary and founding Trustee of Scottish Registered Charity Real Work Skills, which is a social enterprise dedicated to helping people find sustainable employment.  She is also Franchise Manager for the Suited & Booted project.  Karen is a qualified accountant, has an MBA, and spent 20 years in the software industry, in global roles for sales, marketing and customer services.  She is an award-winning Image Consultant.

Joe has been involved with the Third Sector for over 15 years.  He has been associated with VCSA (now VASA) for more than 10 years, including 2 years as the VCSA chair.  Joe’s professional background includes business development, project management, sales and marketing - mainly in the retail and tourism sector. 

Hugh has been involved with the Third Sector for more than 20 years.  He was a former CVO board member and was heavily involved in the local community of Craigie in Ayr

Rachel was a Project Manager and a Project Financial Analyst in the railway industry for 5 years.  Since moving to Scotland in 2006 she has started book keeping for small businesses and is currently studying for her accountancy exams. Her passions for sport have seen her represent Britain in Triathlon and complete 3 Ironman distances.  With her love of sporting adventure, Rachel entered the TV programme in 2003 - 'SAS; Are You Tough Enough?' - a 16 day boot camp based on the famous SAS course. Twenty-four started, 4 finished - and Rachel was one of those 4!

Charity work started for Reg at school, which had an amazing connection many years later when working in Africa.  His employment background includes gaining an apprenticeship with the Steel Works, Royal Air Force service; being self employed in the communications industry; project management in the telecommunications industry.  Reg in his time has even ran his own ‘antiques and collectables’ company!  He has volunteered in a counselling role with two London organizations in the past.  Currently he is the CEO of the RT Burns Club which involves him in charity fundraising events in this country, as well as abroad.

John Walker is a local solicitor and partner with the Ayr firm of Kilpatrick & Walker.   As a well-known member of the local community, he advises many charities and voluntary organisations.  He is Chairman of the Scottish Charities Appeals Panel (John Walker Chair of Ayr Flower Show - 2nd right)  

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Marie has been involved with the Third Sector for over 20 years. She is delighted with the formation of the new organisation and the opportunity to be more involved at a strategic level.  She is on the board of the Community Planning Partnership, is a member of the Community Health Partnership and the Leader Funding Panel and is involved in the Workforce Plus Group.  Marie has also a role in ensuring that the Third Sector is involved in the Change Fund.  Other commitments include being a Director of Bookcycle, Treasurer of AyrFM and organiser of the Christmas Day event for senior members of the community.   Marie has an honours degree in Industrial Relations and a post-graduate diploma in Information Technology.  She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the Hotel Catering and International Management Association (now Institute of Hospitality).  Recently, Marie trained as a mediator and independent examiner.  Marie is very proud to be supported by a committed and motivated team of board members, staff and volunteers.  During 2011, Marie will lead the VASA team to achieve EFQM and IIV status.

Norah Is a director of Bookcycle Ltd, a new social enterprise that recently was awarded charitable status. She has a BSc in Social Sciences and recently achieved the Post Graduate Certificate in Social Enterprise. She is a member of the Scottish Mentoring Network. She has 20 years sales experience, 8 of which involved running her own business. For the past 3.5 years Norah has been the Placement Officer at Volunteer Centre South Ayrshire where she had previously volunteered. Norah is a member of the Lifelong Learning Literacies Sub Group.

Betty has over 20 years experience working in the Ayrshire community.  During that time she has developed many skills through her work with long-term unemployed adults, offenders and young people.  Betty’s career has also included 5 years working in Enterprise & Innovation Development with a Further Education College.  She is an experienced trainer and mentor and has received an Outstanding Achievement Award for her mentoring work with Forestry Commission Project Scotland volunteers.  Betty joined Volunteer Centre South Ayrshire in 2004 as Youth Volunteering Co-ordinator.  Within this role she developed a number of very successful youth-focused projects and initiatives, including MV Awards.  Betty is delighted to be joining the VASA Development Officers’ team and is looking forward to working with organisations, agencies and groups to develop the Third Sector Relationship with Community Planning.

Anne has been employed in the voluntary sector since 2001. As the Funding / Development Worker with CVO Kyle and Carrick, she has gained a sound knowledge of the local Third Sector in South Ayrshire and has variety of skills and experience in promoting, supporting and developing Third Sector organisations.  Since the formation of VASA, and in her new role as Development Officer Third Sector Organisation Support, she has attended a range of training and can now add mediation and charity law to her range of support.  Anne is looking forward to working as part of the VASA team and tackling the challenges ahead. Anne is a member of the North and South Carrick CLD.

Kenny has been employed in the Voluntary Sector since joining Council for Voluntary Organisations Kyle & Carrick (CVOKC) in 2006. During that time he liaised with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and the Scottish Government, arranged and facilitated events. He was the Project Co-ordinator for the Digital Switchover Outreach Programme for The Third Sector in South Ayrshire (until end June 2011). Kenny is delighted to act as an Independent Examiner and to be joining the VASA Development Officers' team. Kenny currently works with the Third / Community Sector to build the Third Sector Relationship with Community Planning. This includes facilitating Mirrored Theme Group meetings and maintaining the flow of communication between Community Planning and the Mirrored Theme Groups.

Siobhonn has been a member of the VASA team since November 2009 and has 15 years experience as a Youth Worker. Since joining the team she has worked as a Mentor/Youth Support Officer with the Forestry Commission/ProjectScotland/Future Jobs Fund Project and has supported over 150 young people in the Galloway Forest District. She is passionate about supporting and developing young people to realise their aspirations. Siobhonn has also been involved in School Volunteering Awareness raising sessions with schools In South Ayrshire.

Seonaid has been a member of the VASA team since March 2011 and has 15 years experience within the South Ayrshire Community.  She has an HNC in Marketing and a BA in Childhood Studies, which has increased her knowledge and experience of the Third Sector, with a particular emphasis on children and families.  She has previously volunteered in local schools and has experience within the employability sector.  Seonaid has undergone extensive Volunteer Management training and is very enthusiastic about  developing volunteering across South Ayrshire.    She is also currently promoting the launch of the Volunteer Friendly Award and the new Saltire Awards. 

Other team members include an administrator and a small team of dedicated volunteers.