Welcome to Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire SCIO
VAER is the Third Sector Interface based in East Renfrewshire.
Our vision is an East Renfrewshire where people can work together to shape their communities. This can only be achieved by valuing the uniqueness of every individual and their contribution; whilst creating the conditions for participation.
Get to know the fantastic people in team VA – both out in the community and behind the scenes.
We’re a member of TSI Network, a body of 32 Third Sector Interfaces across Scotland that promote and support the third sector.
Visit the TSI Scotland website
East Renfrewshire phoneline for local people, groups and organisations looking for support, signposting and community information.
Visit The Community Hub website
Here at Voluntary Action community participation is at the heart of everything we do. This includes promoting local opportunities to get involved, giving residents a voice, and creating spaces for communities to come together.
We are always open to testing, learning and improving. We can all work together to explore new ideas that can make East Ren a better place to live.
Facilitation
We build safe environments for local people, groups and organisations; creating solutions to locals issues by working together.
Engagement
We encourage East Ren wide conversations, supporting local people to share their stories and experiences and influence planning, design and delivery of local services.
Participation
We support local people in finding their way to get involved in the community. This can be anything from joining a group, volunteering or taking part in local conversations.
Meet Our Team
Board Members
Anne Marie Kennedy- Chair
Moira Duncan- Treasurer
Ruth Gallagher- CEO/Trustee
Alan Fairlie- Trustee
Heather Henderson- Trustee
Jennifer Dickson- Trustee
Maryam Imran- Trustee
Staff Team
Ruth Gallagher – Chief Officer
Alan Campbell – Deputy Chief Officer
Claire Ramsay – Collaborations Manager
Linda McCullagh – 3rd Sector Development Manager
Luana Ackermann-Taylor – Partnership and Policy Manager
Maria Hendry – Participation Manager
Paulina Litynska – Engagement Manager
Jada McGlone – Talking Points Lead
Gemma Wood – Talking Points Admin Support
Denise Smith – Youth Volunteer Lead (part-time)
Debbie Carroll – Youth Volunteer Lead (part-time)
Erica Carmichael – Youth Lead: Networks & Opportunities (part-time)
Matthew Garcia – Youth Community Engagement Support
Shirley Ashe – Climate Hub Lead
Corinne Deeney – Climate Hub Support
Liudmyla Kostiuk – Climate Hub Admin Support
Kirsteen Brodie – Engagement and Event Coordination
Sacha Thompson – Volunteer Coordinator (Kindness Collaborative)
Dianne Moir – Volunteer Coordinator
Emma Campbell – Community Development Coordinator
Julie Kirkwood – Finance & Admin Lead
Shannon Chandler – Data and Admin Support
Sylwia Trzaska – Communications Support
Barbie Tam – Community Engagement Support
Lisa Marshall – Call Handler
Margaret Douglas – Call Handler