The Summer edition of Staff Talk has landed and we’re keen to continue shining a spotlight on the council’s Connected Communities team.
Part of North Ayrshire’s Community Planning Partnership, this month we’re shouting-out the dedicated colleagues of the Kilwinning and North Coast Locality team.
Based at the St John’s Primary School Base, the team empower residents of the Kilwinning and North Coast and Cumbraes localities. Their work practice is rooted in Locality Planning. This is one of the ways local communities work together with public and third sector organisations to improve residents’ lives and neighbourhoods.
Locality Planning is about reducing inequalities and enabling communities to participate in decision making at a neighbourhood level.
Kilwinning is a busy locality in North Ayrshire. It sits on the River Garnock, just north of Irvine. There are around 16,100 people who live within its communities and many of them volunteer and work in the area.
The North Coast Locality area includes Cumbrae and the seaside towns of Largs, Fairlie, Skelmorlie and West Kilbride. It has a population of around 24,700 residents.
The team’s main goals are to:
- Identify and deliver learning and community development opportunities for all ages
- Engage with communities to strengthen residents voices in decisions about public services
- Prepare and present Community Investment Fund applications for approval by Cabinet
- Work with other CPP partners such as NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Police Scotland, The Ayrshire Community Trust (TACT) and Scottish Fire and Rescue to tackle the issues identified as priorities in the Kilwinning Locality Action Plan and North Coast and Cumbraes Locality Action Plan.
Why is the council’s Community Planning Partnership important?
It is one of the main ways local communities can work together with us and other public and third sector organisations to improve their lives and neighbourhoods.
It is all about how our local public services work together with communities, third sector organisations and businesses to plan and deliver services that will improve long term outcomes and tackle inequalities.
Find out more about the team via the NA Community Planning Partnership website.
What is the team’s overall mission?
In short, to build a Fairer North Ayrshire for All! The work the team does can be undertaken in two ways:
- Via communities of place – people who live together in the same location
- or with communities who have a shared identity – such as sharing a hobby, common interest or in places likes schools or libraries.
Highlights mentioned in this article are brilliant examples of how the Kilwinning and North Coast Locality team is ensuring the council fulfils its statutory duties in relation to Community Learning and Development and the Community Empowerment Act 2015.
Let’s dive in and meet the team…
First up, is Louise Riddex. Her role is Locality Officer and she has been working in Community Learning and Development for over 20 years.
Tell us your favourite thing about your profession: It is definitely connecting our communities. Having responsibility for two separate localities can be full-on but the work is so rewarding. It is a privilege to empower not only the groups and organisations we work with but also to encourage and uplift my amazing team as they develop impactful projects, identify funding opportunities and most importantly get to the root and heart of what individuals in our communities need so that they can live better lives.
Current exciting projects? I am currently supporting the Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men’s Shed on a Community Asset Transfer to take over the ownership of the Brisbane Centre in Largs and do the accessibility renovation works required to make the venue work best for them and the wider community. It has been brilliant helping them to get to this stage and also support the men involved to secure over £42k from the council’s Community Investment Fund.
Putting council facilities into the hands of communities is a really powerful aspect of true community empowerment in action and this is a part of the job that I really enjoy being a driving force behind.
Now over to Ewan Grant, Community Development Worker who started out as a Youth Work Modern Apprentice with us in 2016, progressed to Locality Worker and gained his current role in 2022.
Tell us your favourite thing about CLD: Working with people but in particular working with young people to help build their confidence. I love seeing the difference youth work makes to young people’s lives. It is really powerful.
Current projects you are excited by: I have been working closely with the North Coast Youth Forum. This group have been involved in some fantastic projects which include the litter campaign with Largs Community Council, and the West Kilbride Media project where they were involved in the filming, production and editing of a short movie from start to finish.
Some of the members have also recently attended and supported the Arran Pride event and they did a brilliant job bringing energy to the parade and spreading the word of the support available to LGBT+ youth.
Interesting fact about you: I have travelled to three African countries, Malawi, Tanzania, and Kenya. I did this as an exchange when I was at secondary school and this was when my passion for youth work started.
Next we say hello to Locality Worker, Amie Main who started as a Modern Apprentice in Business Admin.
Can you tell us about your journey and what you love about the job? After picking up some Sessional Youth Work sessions, I decided to pursue a career in CLD and worked as a youth worker and Locality Support Assistant before my current role of Locality Worker.
I’m responsible for supporting local groups and ensuring residents have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Like Ewan, youth work for sure is my favourite part of the profession. I absolutely love working with young people and (hopefully) being that trusted adult for them, creating and building relationships. Every day is different and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Current projects: Our workload has been full of summer programme prep at the moment and it is always a bit hectic in the lead up but it’s seriously my fav time of year! The team is currently developing amazing localities events for our young people and families. Stay tuned to News In Brief for updates on these!
Fun Fact! I’m known as the jetsetter of the team! Last year I took three months out to go travelling. I volunteered in Indonesia and Australia. I loved every minute and got to do things I never dreamed of!
Next up we have Ailsa Conlin who began with the Multiply project before working for the last 18 months as a Locality Worker.
Tell us about your journey: I am a North Ayrshire based artist and trained at the Glasgow School of Art. Although relatively new to the council, I bring with me over 20 years of experience in a variety of similar Community Learning and Development (CLD) roles. My previous roles include working as an Art Tutor, Art Teacher, Employment Co-ordinator, and Therapeutic Residential Practitioner.
Most rewarding part of your profession: Definitely the privilege of working closely with people. It is incredibly fulfilling seeing someone’s confidence grow through participation. Being part of that journey, however small, is truly the most inspiring part of my job.
Current exciting projects are: I’m delighted to be leading two thriving art groups based at Cranberry Moss Community Centre. Both groups have been at full capacity since their inception in 2024, demonstrating a strong local appetite for creative engagement. Many of the members had never picked up a paintbrush before joining and we are now working towards an art exhibition at the end of 2025.
I am also launching a new Discovery Award for over 50s. This initiative was inspired by the success of my teammate Sarah’s Monday Discovery Award group, which had developed a waiting list due to high interest. In response, and with the support of social media outreach, have successfully recruited 13 enthusiastic participants who are ready to begin their journey.
Interesting facts about me: After graduating from Art School, my first job was as a Level II Industrial Radiographer, where I x-rayed explosives for a living. Although it absolutely nothing to do with the Arts, I did have my very own darkroom – a small creative joy amidst the highly technical environment!
I’m also the proud keeper of two Australian Tree Frogs, named Buscemi and Keitel. My very own “Reservoir Frogs,” are named after characters from the cult classic film Reservoir Dogs. They always add a splash of personality and humour to my home life!
Recently progressing in her career from Locality Worker, Community Development Worker Sarah Crookston is based mainly in Kilwinning and Skelmorlie.
Tell us about your role and what you’re involved in currently: I have been within the team now for 2.5 years and I have a busy and varied role working across different community groups in Kilwinning and also supporting Skelmorlie Community Council on a range of projects including the recent erection of a series of historical memorial sites to mark the 100 year centenary of the Skelmorlie Reservoir Disaster.
I run a group called Take Time families, this group supports families to build toolkits that provide positive wellbeing outcomes for the whole family.
The group based at Kilwinning Library has been running for over two years now and is going from strength to strength with families enjoying weekly activities alongside visits from other services and days out exploring new places.
Recently during Mental Health Awareness Week, we welcomed Change Mental Health in to deliver a session on Mental Health Resilience for the adults as the children had the chance to plant some summer bedding plants outdoors.
I also support the Kilwinning Discovery Group – a group of over 50s who are working on walking and wellbeing challenges and trips away throughout the year.
Current exciting projects: I am currently working on a community hub idea that will support community members to access different services and support they may need.
The hub is in very early planning stages, but it will encompass community services and hopefully provide a space for the community to use in Kilwinning. Stay tuned to Latest News for updates…
Interesting fact about you: I am from Fife, I moved West about 8 years ago but I still sing when I speak so you will definitely hear me coming!
Although she had retired after 20+ years with North Ayrshire Council, retiree Deirdre Oakley couldn’t stay away and has returned as a Locality Priorities Worker for the North Coast Locality.
What brought you back to work? I thought I still had something left to contribute to the local communities and, although busy in retirement, I felt I needed something to keep my mind active!
Tell us about your role: I help to raise awareness and generate interest for Community Investment Fund applications and also assist in developing North Coast and Cumbraes groups to help them to realise their potential.
Favourite part of the job? I love the variety of my job. I like working with different people and building relationships. I also get an immense sense of pride when the groups I work with meet a major milestone. An example of this would be recently supporting Largs Food Hub – a local community larder – to seek charitable status so they can start doing their own fundraising to support even more members and recruit more volunteers.
Current projects: My focus for summer will be facilitating a series of workshops and information days addressing the Cost of Living Theme, which falls into our Locality Priority of Improving Access to Financial Services.
An interesting fact about me is that I was a Coast Rescue Officer with the Ardrossan Coastguard Team for 23 years. This was a voluntary position. We carried out searches, body recovery, beach and water rescues, rope rescues and CERCC (Coastguard Emergency Response Casualty Care) training, and had numerous other maritime responsibilities including raising awareness of Safety at Sea.
Last but certainly not least is Euan Lees, Community Learning and Development Worker. Although coming from a creative background, after studying Film & Television at Westminster University in London 2003, Euan’s career journey pivoted into community empowerment which has seen him gain over 21 years of experience working in communities across Ayrshire.
How did you start out with North Ayrshire Council? Initially I started as a sessional youth worker with NAC at the Caley Centre in 2004 after completing my University work placement there. I took on the role of Community Development Worker within North Ayrshire Council in October 2012, initially part of the Capacity Building team. Then when we moved into the Locality Teams, I was part of the Irvine Locality team, and then the Kilwinning and North Coast team since April 2024.
Tell us your favourite thing about your profession: One of my favourite aspects of the job is to develop the capacity of a community organisation, by building their skills and confidence, where they get to a point in which they become self-sustainable.
Current exciting projects: When it comes to building capacity, I am the key person in the team for supporting groups through the Community Asset Transfer journey. I am currently working with the Board of Trustees of Kilwinning Community Shed who are in the process of developing a much needed Shed for the community of Kilwinning
With events such as the historical Segdoune Crowning in May and Festive Lights, I am also helping Choose Kilwinning with their very active fundraising calendar to ensure these events continue to be a success.
Interesting claims to fame? I once worked on the Big Breakfast and was in one of the sketches on Trigger Happy TV. I also worked in filmmaking and have created short films, music videos and documentaries. Although I have a quiet exterior, I have good stage presence hah and once performed a five minute stand up routine at Jongleurs Comedy Club in Glasgow which went down well!
Would you like to raise awareness and spotlight the focus, passion and inspiration of your team? If so, email: communications@north-ayrshire.gov.uk for your chance to be featured.
Look out in the next edition where we’ll be sharing a Meet The Team with Arran Outdoor Education Centre.