Examples of how Creating Connections has helped build Sustainable Empowered Communities

Bespoke Event & Course Design, Organisation & Delivery

I create, organise and/or deliver bespoke courses to more-than-profit sector organisation in the fields of: community participation, ecology and sustainability, environmental and outdoor education.

Provider of 1 and 2 day Strategic Campaigning Training Courses for More-then-Profit sector organisations

Organised 2 bespoke training days for staff on Strategic Campaigning Training, with Michelle Sheather (a Greenpeace International training consultant). Liaised with organisation (WWF Scotland and Scottish Green Party), staff and venue, assess learning needs, produce PR materials and training pack, and ensured smooth running of the day. In addition, I have also promoted and delivered 2 day training courses to over 40 individuals and organisations through shared training events in Edinburgh.

Jan 05 - Sept 06 Testimony

Workshop facilitator on 'Sustainable Communities’  for the Sustainable Development Educators annual Network Day

Led a participatory workshop using the ‘World Café technique’ to discuss complex issues of ‘Sustainable Communities’ aligned with the 4th area of the new Scottish Executive Sustainable Development Strategy

July 2006

EU conference presentation on sustainable communities

Wrote and delivered a presentation on ‘Building Sustainable Empowered Communities’ at a EU Conference: ‘Your Community, Your Planet: Promoting Sustainability Through Participation’, through Envolve at the Guildhall, Bath.

8 July 05

Volunteer facilitator of organic whole food pizza making workshops in a yurt and wood fired oven at the infamous Knockengorroch Festival

For 4 days I played along with a team of volunteers to help children and adults to make their own handmade, wholesome, tasty and hot organic pizzas. The event, organised by ROE, was an outstanding success.

August 2005

Presenter, Sustainable Future in Scotland event

Wrote and delivered a presentation on personal and social sustainability for The Glasgow School of Art’s ‘Sustainable Future in Scotland’ day

Feb 05

Residential Programme Leader and Member of Steering Group, the John Muir Award

Involved with the original pilot of the John Muir Award in Scotland (through the Green Team). Over 10 years I have designed and delivered many week-long residential programmes for young people (14-25+) in locations across the UK and in Northern Spain. Each programme was tailored to a different theme and client group but included: environmental and conservation activities, adventurous and low-level journeying; personal development, vision quest (Mull 03); and to support the 4 Award aims: discover, explore and conserve a wild place, and share you experience with others (through enhancing communication and reflection skills).

Additionally, helped support and develop the Summer Programme with other members of the Summer Programme Steering Group, sourcing and supporting new leaders and giving feedback to shape the services offered.

1996 – 99, 2002-6

Fellow, Personal Tutor and Consultant to Centre for Human Ecology

Since May 04 I have been a Fellow of CHE - to support and promote through our lives a ‘Human Ecology’ perspective through individual and collective activities: 

• Delivered presentation on ‘Human Ecology In Action’ at 2006 graduation.
• Support 7 MSc students through their thesis (choice, research/writing, emotional journey) by acting as their personal tutor (2003-5)
• Collaborative book-writing on Human Ecology with other Fellows (2005)
• Organised Centre for Human Ecology’s Dialogue Day conference (and AGM) in 2003. (Managed budgets, liaised with centre’s staff and organised/ managed volunteer event-contributors).
• Environmental Consultant in a Community Planning and Consultation exercise at NEAC, Pilton with the Community Empowerment  Programme (Sept 2003)·
• Student rep, liasing with the Academic Board and students to ensure quality and ease of course provision

Since Oct 2001 Testimony

Community Woodland Facilitator, NEAC, Pilton, Edinburgh

Worked with a group of local residents (aged 18-75+) to design and create a woodland area in their local Art’s centre’s new community garden. Designed a 10 week course, brought in guest speakers and seasonal activities, to educate about biodiversity, native species, etc; and used consensual and participatory planning exercises to finalise design.  Worked with a landscape gardener to sculpt and enrich the land, ordered materials and plants, etc. The planting day included the group, CSV volunteers and local young people.

2004 Testimony

Panel member on ‘Environment’ for Frock-on’s Conference 03

One of 3 women on a panel talking and raising discussion on environmental issues and community/ individual solutions

Sep 2003

Training consultant for The Green Team and City of Edinburgh Council

After initiating and establishing The Green Team in 1996, I have continued to provide services, including:

• Training of volunteers through CEC's CPD department day courses in Environmental Games and Activities (April and Nov 03)
• Leadership skills (May 02)
• Occasional day projects
• Presentation for 10th anniversary celebrations

2002-2004 Testimony

Training consultant for the City of Edinburgh Council Continuing Professional Development and Adult Education Department s

I have delivered several course for CEC including:

• Environmental Games and Activities 1 and 11 (April and Nov 03)
• Leadership skills (May 02)
• Hillwalking Skills

2002-2004

Design and deliver a programme of 'Deep Ecology' workshops for a Millennium Award Project

I ran a 6 month programme of Deep Ecology exercises through events at festivals around the UK and as part of the JMA Residential Programme. As a successful QNIS Welcome to Wellbeing Award winner, I spoke of the benefits of my project (Deep Connections) to myself and others, at a national conference of over 200 people, and became a Millennium Award Fellow.

May - Oct 02

Participant on in-depth personal/ professional development courses

Including:

• Social Enterprise India Learning Journey with UnLtd, 2 1/2 weeks, 2006
• Non Violent Communication with Marshal Rosenberg - 2 week Summer Session, Switzerland, 2005
• Training for Transformation - 1 week, England, 2004
• Deep Ecology with Joanna Macy, 1 week, 2003
• Deep Ecology with John Seed, 3 days, 2003