Examples of how Creating Connections has helped build Sustainable Empowered Communities
Research, Evaluation & Writing
I provide effective evaluation and bespoke consultation solutions for community groups using participatory techniques. I conduct research and outreach to provide evidence/ information for plans, reports and for developing a range of communication tools.
Research in Water-Environment Campaigns in Scotland for WWF & Scottish Water’s ‘WaterSense Campaign’
Information researched for a web-based resource guide for people involved at 'all levels' in water-environment based campaigns and activities in Scotland.
July/ Aug 2006 Testimony
Participatory planning and community visioning consultation for the ‘Glen Etive Bothy’ and Venture Scotland community
Using participatory planning and consensus decision-making techniques to consult all parts of the Venture Scotland community (staff, participants, volunteers, management committee etc), to define, design and prioritise developments needed for the bothy over the next 10 years. Provide a ‘permaculture map’ and report of findings; source ecologist/ cartographer to make a scale map of site and an artist to represent the community's final vision.
May-Nov 2006 
Feasibility Study on rural sustainable business centre for the Southern Upland Partnership
Sub-contracted to conduct feasibility study on the idea of 3 rurally situated, sustainably built shared office spaces throughout the Southern Uplands of Scotland; to create and distribute 2 online surveys, research target markets and contacts, funding options, competitors, conduct an analysis, etc.
March - August 2006 Testimony
Journey for the Wild 06 - participant, writer and photographer for the John Muir Trust
Took part in an epic journey involving hundreds of people crossing Britain’s wildest and most spectacular areas as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of wild places. For a full edition of what wrote, and with photos'.
August 2006
Research and write materials for Corporate Social Responsibility training pack for Scottish Enterprise through Scottish Business in the Community
Contributed research and information for a project developing a training module on Corporate Social Responsibility for Scottish Enterprise Business Advisors; research and edit material for the module and provide information on a range of subjects that are part of the CSR mix, including environment and community sections.
May - August 2005 Testimony
Participatory Appraisal research consultant for Donald McPhillimy Associates
Undertook PA based research on specific community needs and ideas for local recreation provision and regeneration in Macmerry, East Lothian
September 05
Project development and evaluation consultant for Volunteer Development Scotland and the pilot of the Youth Achievement Award
Collaborating with a multi-agency team involving 3 national agencies (VDS, Youth Scotland, Young Scot) to provide the pilot of a new National Volunteering Award for young people. Key roles: creation of content for PR materials, collective project design and strategy for delivery of pilot, deliver training to facilitators, evaluation of pilot, written report.
March-Nov 05 Testimonies
Researcher and writer for information pack on Fair Trade Towns by the Co-op College
One of several researcher/writers for an information resource to help the Fair Trade Towns movement, resulting a Fairtrade Town Pack for the Co-op College to use as a training aid throughout the Co-op retail movement. Sections I covered included: What is Fairtrade? Why does the Co-op support FT, Producer benefits, under Fair Trade towns: What it means, What are the goals?
Dec 03 - Jan 04
External moderator for NGB level programme with NEOCN
Moderated the only course in Scotland to be accredited with the North East Open College Network. The Edinburgh Steiner School ran a programme in cooking craft, and I assessed the class’s work (practical and written), brought in other moderators, and gave feedback to the teacher about the programme.
2004