NCDT Staff
Qualifications/Experience: Sheena has worked for NCDT for over 3 years and supports project and organisational development. Much of her previous career was spent in accounts roles in practice, industry and charity. She is a volunteer director of Scottish Rural Action and has previous experience as a community activist and community councillor. A love of learning has led Sheena to her most recent qualification, MSc in Environmental Entrepreneurship, graduating in 2019. Other qualifications include, PDA in Community Development and professional accountancy.
Wee bit about you: Originally from Scotland, Sheena grew up in south-east England. She lives with her family in Dumfries and Galloway and enjoys walking in the beautiful Nith Valley. In her limited spare time, Sheena plays piano and has recently re-discovered her love of drawing.
Qualifications/Experience: Laura has worked with NCDT for almost a year and has supported many groups within the community during this time whilst bringing about health initiatives and new opportunities to get involved in physical activity. Whilst studying for her degree, BSc Sport Science, Laura set up her own business providing PE classes to over 70 kids per week. Laura is also a qualified Exercise Referral Specialist- tailoring exercise programmes to support those with chronic physical conditions or illnesses and has used this experience to work in cancer rehabilitation as a volunteer. Laura works with a local football team in a Sport Science capacity, mainly dealing with injury prevention and rehabilitation. Prior to studying Sport, Laura qualified and worked in accounts within the construction industry.
Wee bit about you: Laura has 4 children and grew up not far from New Cumnock. Most Saturdays she will be found at the side of a football pitch somewhere in South Scotland but out with this, she enjoys visiting old castles and beaches in Scotland. Laura also enjoys wild camping and a bit of hillwalking here and there.
Qualifications/Experience: Left school at 17 with standard grades and highers moving onto a Skillseeker with South Ayrshire Council in Administration. Worked with SAC for 8 years in the admin sector, while volunteering in youth work and befriending in my spare time before moving to EAC to work as a transitional support worker with another short spell in admin until 2019 when I moved to NCDT. Originally brought in as the Admin Assistant with my post evolving to project worker before becoming NCDT Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator in 2020.
Wee bit about you: I have two children and have lived in New Cumnock for 15 years. In the spare time I have love being with my kids, particularly watching my son play football. Enjoy spending time with friends and family and a binge watch on Netflix!
Qualifications/Experience: Hannah left school at 15 with 5 standard grades and went straight into work. Her first job was in administration where she achieved her SVQ3 in Business and Administration there. She then went on to work in call centres before going back into education. She achieved her HND in accounting in 2019 and then went on to university to study Accounting and Finance. Having just completed her 3rd year, she hopes to be graduating with an honours degree in June 2023!
Wee bit about you: Hannah is from New Cumnock and lived there until she moved to Glasgow at 17. She moved back to New Cumnock when she was 22. In her spare time Hannah enjoys hillwalking, going to the gym, spending time with family and friends and binge-watching The Real Housewives and Below Deck!
Board of Trustees
A wee bit about me: Born in 1971 and having lived in New Cumnock since, I have witnessed the decline of a once economically thriving village. However I can also see that a strong sense of community still exists among residents as well as hope for things moving forward.
I left school in the 1980s with no qualifications and moved between training courses achieving very little. I returned to education after having my children gaining an HNC in Environmental Protection and an Honours Degree in Countryside Management.
I’ve worked with South Ayrshire Council for 18 years supporting various employability interventions for both youth and adults facing barriers to employment and training. I am currently developing and supporting the work of the Employability & Skills Family Engagement team to support unemployed parents back into work and those in work who still experience hardship to upskill and retrain to help close the poverty related attainment gap.
I became a member of NCDT to utilise some of my skills and knowledge to benefit my own community and my personal experience allows me to relate to some of the challenges individuals might face engaging in learning and training opportunities. I am keen to see New Cumnock return to an economically vibrant village for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities alike.
Qualifications/Experience: Retired plumber
A wee bit about me: I am 67 years of age and lived in New Cumnock all my life. I was educated at Cairnhill Primary , Castle Primary and New Cumnock Secondary schools , left school at 15 yrs of age and started as an apprentice plumber with local family firm Mitchell Shankland and Sons in New Cumnock and was there for 34 years up until they retired. I then moved on to Ayr plumbing firm called John R Smith, I was there for 6 years but had to leave to care for my ill wife Maureen. I looked after her for 3 years but was unable to go back to work in Ayr so I started my own company , Afton Plumbing . Sadly I lost my wife in 2008 and kept my business going till 2014 when I decided to retire and hand my business over to my son Derek which is still operating well till present.
I am currently a Scout Leader in New Cumnock and have been in New Cumnock scout group for 59 years . I also hold the position of Group Scout Leader at Hillside School Special Needs Scout Group. I am also minute secretary for Glenafton Athletic football club and help to run the Glenafton Supporters Club. I am on committee of New Cumnock and Afton Lily Burns Clubs and past president of both. I also volunteer with New Cumnock gardening group and help out whenever I,m able.
The village of New Cumnock means a lot to me and I will try and help the community in any way I can for as long as I am able to do so.
Qualifications/Experience: Admin. Product Data Management. NC Burns Club Secretary. Computer manufacture and shoe manufacture.
A wee bit about me: I am a proud Kilmarnock/ New Cumnock man and have lived here coming up on 35years this June and in this time. I have always had New Cumnock’s interests at heart, whether it be NERV, NC Swimming Pool Fund Raising Committee, NC Burn Club, and most recently the resurrection of NC Gardening Club.
I am presently employed by the Princess Trust as a part-time Caretaker at New Cumnock Town Hall, a position that I enjoy immensely as it brings me into contact with all aspects of community life.
I manage new Cumnock fire station for 15 year as Watch Commander And had to think on my feet at all kind of incident and problems.
I hold my first aid, my certificate for train the trainer and have my LGV.
A wee bit about me: Age 59 lived all my life in. New Cumnock worked on the farm for a few years was a part time fire fighter in the town for 40 years and 9 months (retired).
I am scout leader
A wee bit about me: I’m born and bread in NC and care about what happens now and the future of our village. I work full time but like to keep myself busy.
I’m a member of NC Garden Club and a volunteer driver for Ayrshire Cancer Support.
The freetime I get I enjoy photography,hillwalking, watching football and spending time away in our Motorhome.
Qualifications/experience: Bsl introduction and level 1. 8 standard grades, 2 highers in English and art and design , sys in art and design. Qualifications in hospitality.
Basic training in Autism and dyslexia.
Experience in working with adults with additional needs and children.
A wee bit about me: We moved to New Cumnock 10 years ago and have 2 young children. I previously worked for Quarriers for over 8 years working with adults with additional needs in their own home before I decided to change my career to working with children. I started off volunteering at New Cumnock primary school and soon applied for a classroom support assistant role in which I was successful. I have worked at the school for over 2 years now and I truly love my job. I studied British sign language at nights as this was something I had always wanted to learn and I hope to be able to continue with level 2 in the future. I am currently a member of New Cumnock primary schools parent council and work with a great team of parents and teachers to help support the school. I am looking forward to working with the NCDT to help improve New Cumnock and its facilities for all.
Qualifications/Experience: In my professional capacity I am currently the Facilities Manager at Billy Bowie Special Projects Limited based in Kilmarnock a post that I have been in for some 22 years. As the role that I carry out has developed over the years so has the experience I have gained, within the Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental sector. I have also worked as a Facilities Engineer at Volvo Truck and Bus in Irvine. I have also worked as Mechanical Fitter with the MOD and various large engineering companies across the UK.
I have been a Board Member of the Local Housing Association, Shire Housing for the past 5 years assisting in the oversight and future strategy of the direction of the association, this has been a pleasing experience to see the association develop over the past few years. With a diverse board this has helped me gain the skills to look at various financial models and understand the detail behind them
A wee bit about me: Originally from Stevenston I have lived in the Village of New Cumnock for the past 24 years with my wife Jean and our two grown up children. I am the current president of the New Cumnock Burns Club,
Qualifications/Experience: Chartered Civil Engineer.
A wee bit about me: I have 3 children and have lived in New Cumnock for 18 years. Enjoy spending time with friends and. family and generally love being outdoors. We have 3 cats and possibly a few babies coming soon!!
I have started my new business and looking to encourage others to visit. Its called The Way Forward 2045 and is focussed around gamification of sustainability!
I also work at University of Strathclyde in The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship where I work with both students and businesses around sensible ways to be sustainable and develop more community wealthbuilding.
I sit on the DYW steering group in Ayrshire as well as other groups that support young people.
Qualifications: Higher National Certificate in Social Care
Experience: I have worked with people helping shape futures, advocating and driving steering groups.
A wee bit about me: I was born in and live in New Cumnock. I work in Community Care changing my job after 25 years working in Mental Health. I am a passionate caring person with a positive mentality and attitude. I believe New Cumnock has great potential to become one of the most scenic and inviting villages in Ayrshire and share the enthusiasm to make this happen.
I chill out through walking, playing guitar and spending time with my wife Rhona, I’m also past President of the New Cumnock Burns club where I still play an active part in both the committee and actively reciting the works of Robert Burns.
Where else would I be but New Cumnock.