OUR TEAM
At the heart of the Craigsfarm Community Development Project is a dedicated team of staff, trustees, volunteers, and community supporters who work together to create a welcoming and supportive space for everyone.
Leadership
Board of Trustees
Murray Carle
Chair
Michael Rae
Treasurer
Femi Odofin
Secretary
Gina Giubarelli
Trustee
Lenny Huges
Trustee
Neil Sutherland
Trustee
Our Staff
Meet the Team
Programme Lead
Manuela Coletti
Manuela joined Craigsfarm in mid-2021 as we were emerging from the lockdowns of the pandemic. She developed and led the programme of research to inform the development of the Craigsfarm Community Wellbeing and Resilience programme, designed around community engagement and participation. Before joining Craigsfarm, she worked as a consultant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and Burkina Faso on poverty alleviation programmes — specifically child protection, child labour, community-based domestic violence programming and livelihoods. She has also worked on financial inclusion and the introduction of a No Interest Loan scheme in Ireland. Programmes she has designed have received international awards, and she represented her organisation at the WHO Health 2020 in Turkmenistan. Prior to her consultancy career, Manuela was Programme Director with several international charities across Central Asia, the Caucasus and Africa, and also worked with the Ministry of Justice in Victoria, Australia.
Finance Manager
Arlene McGowan
Arlene joined Craigsfarm as Finance Manager in 2022. Her previous work experience includes 23 years with HSBC bank working in administration, Arlene also set up and organised a weekly children’s club in Winchburgh where she lives, providing a range of after school activities and outings for 5-10 year olds. Arlene has 2 grandchildren and loves spending time with them. In her spare time Arlene enjoys walking her little dog Teddy, listening to music, reading and working in her garden.
Wellbeing Companions
Fixe & Sophie
Fixe and Sophie are two beloved members of Craigsfarm’s Wellbeing and Resilience team. They are friendly, gentle, and non-judgmental, making them ideal companions for anyone who needs a little extra help and support. Fixe and Sophie are an integral part of the team, and their presence has helped many people to feel more relaxed, calm and at ease. They are much-loved members of the programme and their contributions are greatly appreciated.
Link Worker
Janette Cameron
Janette is the Craigsfarm Link Worker. Janette is a qualified Transformational Coach with over a decade of experience working with communities and is passionate about empowering individuals to believe in themselves. With her extensive knowledge and expertise, Janette is dedicated to helping people reach their full potential. She dedicates herself to truly understanding the concerns and needs of those around her and strives to be provide a supportive and empathetic ear to those in need.
Member
Sihah Waris
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident,
Yoga, Dance Coach
Aga Korsak
Aga facilitates our evening Yoga, Polish Yoga, Meditation and Intuitive Dance. Born in Poland.
I have been living in Scotland for 18 years and I love it. Since I was a child, I have always helped others and I have never been indifferent to human suffering. From account’s education. I am very interested in spirituality. I love yoga, hiking, meeting new people and cultures, and generally I’m very interested in people and their behaviour. I finished my HNC in psychology and I’m thinking of going down that road. My adventure with yoga began 6 years ago and had a significant impact on my life.
Nature Theraphy COACH
Cath Wright
Cath runs our Nature Bathing [Shinrin Yoku] courses.
Cath is a qualified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides. After experiencing the practice of Nature and Forest Therapy and realising how positive the effects where on her own mental health, she knew she wanted to train to guide sessions to help people find the benefits she experienced. Cath qualified as a Therapist in 2020.
Lead Counsellor
Suzanne Laidlaw
Suzanne is our Lead Counsellor within our Counselling 4 All programme. Suzanne is passionate about supporting people through life’s challenges. After a career in the environment and business sectors, where she loved helping team members develop, Suzanne realised that helping people on a deeper more personal level was her calling and trained as a person centred counsellor. She now runs her own therapy centre in Lanark.
Suzanne offers a safe, accepting space for our counselling clients to explore, heal, and grow.
Yoga Coach
Shirley Loughlin
Shirley runs our day Yoga and Meditation courses. Shirley was first introduced to yoga at night class in Craigshill High School 50 years ago and has never stopped learning. Twenty years ago, she qualified as a Yogabugs children’s Yoga Teacher and taught in schools and nurseries in West Lothian. Shirley continued to train with the Scottish Yoga Teachers Association (now Yoga Scotland) and Viniyoga (now the AYS). Most recently she graduated from Seasonal Yoga TT. A committed life-long learner, Shirley is now studying Yin Yoga and Myofascial Release.
Lead Janitor
Greg
Greg is the Lead Janitor at the Craigsfarm Community Development Hub, playing a central role in keeping the building safe, clean, and running smoothly. He brings reliability, care, and a strong sense of pride to his work. Greg is also accompanied by his service dog, Neeva, who adds a calm and friendly presence to the Hub. Together, they help create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who visits.
Janitor
Luke
Luke supports the day‑to‑day upkeep of the Craigsfarm Community Development Hub, ensuring the space is always tidy, safe, and ready for community use. Known for his approachable nature and willingness to help, he contributes greatly to the smooth running and positive atmosphere of the Hub.
Join Our Community
The work of the Craigsfarm Community Development Project is made possible through the commitment of our team, partners, and community members. If you would like to learn more about our programmes, get involved, or access support, we welcome you to connect with us and become part of the Craigsfarm community.