We are thrilled to welcome Aileen Webster as VANL’s new Community and Organisational Development Lead.

With a rich background in project management and development, Aileen brings a wealth of experience to the role. Her journey in the third sector began during COVID-19 volunteering for some charities, which led to paid employment with third sector organisations and charities.

Aileen is deeply passionate about health and wellbeing of people and empowering everyone to create lasting change in their local community. Her diverse career, from being an athlete (much younger!) to community sports development then project management in health and wellbeing projects.

A word from Aileen herself:

“My name is Aileen Webster. I am delighted to be the Community and Organisational Lead for VANL in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and the Northern Corridor.

I have worked in the public sector since 2006, when I took an opportunity of redundancy from the banking sector to return to studying sport as a mature student whilst working part-time in Sports Development for a Local Authority. From 2014-2021 I worked as a Sports Development Officer for Glasgow Life, teaching sport to children and young people of all ages and abilities in leisure centres and community venues. My memorable moments with Glasgow Life were the wonderful community sports events run alongside the larger sporting events such as Glasgow2014, Indoor Athletics World Championships and the Homeless World Cup 2016. In 2019 during lockdown, I had the opportunity to volunteer for a number of different charity organisations, both National and local and thought this is what I want to do! In February 2021 I started working for Bike for Good, a charity in Glasgow, where I learned the importance of community development work first-hand. One of the first groups I collaborated with was Glasgow Afghan United, which highlighted the importance of social integration and inclusion in communities. More recently, I worked as an Active Travel Project Coordinator in Forth Valley College for over 2 years, covering campuses in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa, with 7500 students and 1500 members of staff. This role was extremely busy and fast-paced and highlighted the need for collaboration and partnership working. I built great working partnerships with the Regional Transport Partnerships; SEStrans and Tactran, Local Authorities; Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannan, Sustrans, Paths for All, EAUC, local community organisations and charities. During my time with Forth Valley College I attended many networking events and shared best practice and resources with colleagues in similar roles.

From volunteering personally, I understand the highs and lows of a volunteer journey. I have been fortunate to volunteer at many large-scale sports event and see first-hand what vital support volunteers lend to the smooth running of events, support and training within large and smaller organisations, community groups and sports clubs. Currently, I volunteer ad-hoc to lead health walks in my local area and as a cycle ride leader with Glasgow Gals Cycling Club, which I am really passionate about. Previously, I’ve also volunteered in different roles (Treasurer, Secretary, Chair) on Sports Club committees, which is great experience that I am able to pass on to help support organisations with governance reviews.

I see great opportunities with VANL’s Community and Organisational Development Team with the solid foundations being laid by previous and current employees. I am excited to see what I bring to the role building new relationships, strengthening existing partnerships and collaborating with colleagues to improve VANL’s services and support to local people and communities.

It would be great if any community/voluntary organisations, charities and residents based in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth or the Northern Corridor could reach out to Aileen. We are keen to find out more about community organisations, voluntary groups and residents and would also like to hear from any organisations who would like information, support or training.

You can contact Aileen by email to info@vanl.co.uk or by calling 01236 748011.