SCCAN’s work circles are supported by a small team of paid staff and freelancers.
Staff
Craig Dunn
SCCAN Operations Support Lead
Craig joins us directly from leading the team at the Knoydart Foundation. He spent four and half years there and oversaw a rapid increase in turnover, services and climate action. He has thirteen years experience as a director and has a large level of experience in business development, marketing and operational systems. He’s based in rural Aberdeenshire with his wife and two kids (Bruce 10 and Hamish 6). Recently he became a director of fàs, a community interest company and community farm, specialising in growing techniques that adapt to climate change. He has a particular interest in how we fund climate action in Scotland.
Contact: craig@sccan.scot
Laura Forde
Finance & Admin Weaver
Following a 20 year career in banking, I joined SCCAN to help build a responsible and sustainable future for my children. I support SCCAN staff and volunteers by helping in aspects of finance, human resources and administration. I enjoy yoga, jigsaws and the Scottish countryside, celebrating local business and raising awareness of disabilities especially invisible ones.
Contact: laura@sccan.scot
Rebecca Gibbs
Adaptation Programme Lead
I’ve worked in health, policy and politics. I have 15 years working on climate change – most recently on adaptation and am particularly interested in social adaptation. Before working in the policy world, I spent time as a community worker in South London and lived in two eco communities in Dorset and Southern Spain. When I’m not at SCCAN I try to make my garden grow and co-convene an adaptation forum, The Cadence Roundtable.
Contact: rebecca@sccan.scot
Kaska Hempel
Story Weaver
Based in Tayport, North East Fife, I have worked in climate communication and digital community storytelling for 8 years, with PLANT group, Tayport Community Trust and with Transition University of St Andrews and now SCCAN. I believe empowering individuals and communities to share their stories of climate action can drive real change. I take care of 1000 Better Stories podcast, related training and audio storyteller collective for change.
Contact: stories@sccan.scot
Joana Avi-Lorie
Story Weaver & Event Coordinator
I’m a writer, artist and student researcher working with climate anxiety, stories and children. I joined SCCAN because I wanted to learn about and contribute to community climate action. I am also interested in sociocracy as a way to create positive change that can cascade across different areas of society.
Contact: events@sccan.scot or stories@sccan.scot
Fabio Villani
Engagement Weaver
I am an active citizen working – paid and unpaid – on all aspects of sustainablity and regeneration since before I knew the words. I have over 40 years experience in business and community development, complemented by post-graduate level qualifications in social sciences and leadership. I am a firm believer in the value of peer-led learning and non-directive leadership; I’m seldom happier than when facilitating learning and collaborative working.
Contact: fablo@sccan.scot
Ruth McLaren
Communications Weaver
I have worked and volunteered in the environment sector for over 5 years and I have always been extremely passionate about issues surrounding the climate emergency, especially climate justice and addressing inequalities. I live on the Isle of Arran and am also involved with the island’s marine conservation organisation, COAST. I love spending time in nature and reading (sometimes both at the same time!).
Contact: ruth@sccan.scot
Madeleine Scobie
Assistant Communications Weaver
I am based in Ayrshire and have been with SCCAN for 2 years. I currently provide communications support for SCCAN’s activities and the Unbound project. I’m also studying a part time Masters degree in Marketing and Digital Communications. I am passionate about using digital media to raise awareness of important issues such as climate change.
Contact: madeleine@sccan.scot
Fani Apospori
Assistant Communications Weaver
I’m a climate communicator with a background in community engagement, environmental humanities research, and participatory storytelling. With over three years of experience in the climate sector, I am leaning towards a cross-sectoral approach to climate communications. I’m interested in how we frame climate issues in ways that are accessible and relevant to people’s lived realities.
Contact: fani@sccan.scot
Kirsty Heron
Climate for Change Programme Lead
My work is about creating opportunities for people to explore their responses to the climate/ecological/social crises, uncover motivation to act, and find empowerment through collective action. I’m an Active Hope facilitator and trainer, passionate about communities building resilience together. I’m also an ecological fruit grower, natural builder, and dancer, currently based in rural Perthshire.
Contact: kirsty@sccan.scot
Pam Candea
Community Engagement and Support Animator
Based in Stirling, a founding member of Transition Stirling, I have been with SCCAN almost since its inception, believing strongly that grassroots initiatives, supporting each other, are key to moving toward a more sustainable, more democratic society. I have been on SCCAN’s board in the past, developed and delivered various training courses and workshops, and have been part of a number of our working circles. I am currently working on the Building Resilient Communities and Unbound projects.
Contact: pam@sccan.scot
Lisa Busby
Community Climate Resilience – Project Coordinator | Angus Climate Hub – Food & Growing Network
With a background in arts and music making before moving to the land and environmental sector, Lisa has worked on various projects to support, connect and empower people, networks and communities. She lives on the west coast and is a student of Horticulture – you will often find her planting for pollinators or in the sea.
Contact: lisa@sccan.scot
Eilidh Mckay
Accounts Administrator
I recently joined SCCAN’s finance circle with a hope of contributing to a healthier, fairer and more harmonious future for our planet. I am an artist and a mother and I previously ran a sociocratic Community Interest Company focused on local, organic food paired with community events.
Contact: eilidh@sccan.scot
Thomas Woolnough
Project Development Weaver – Alternative Climate Finance
With over a decade of experience developing climate action projects, I joined SCCAN to help unlock greater financial support for community-led climate initiatives across Scotland. My career has spanned renewable energy, climate mitigation, and biodiversity. If you’re interested in partnering or learning more about how you can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact: thomas@sccan.scot
Board Members
Pat Abel
SCCAN Board Member
Contact: board@sccan.scot
Carolyn MacPhee
SCCAN Board Member
As an island resident, I’m passionate about the sea and managing waste streams. I’ve always lived on the coast and am lucky enough to work in the marine renewables energy sector. I strongly believe in community empowerment, community energy and social justice and therefore, SCCAN has become the perfect home for my volunteer hours with their key role in the just transition and in giving communities a voice within the climate change arena. I’ve previously served as a trustee and committee member for third sector charities, transport, social care, disability access and was a founding member of a climate hub CIC.
Contact: board@sccan.scot
Philip Revell
SCCAN Board Member
I’m a community activist, independent researcher, project manager, potter and grandad. Holding a positive vision whilst building well networked, resilient communities, all exploring and telling a new story of humans and nature flourishing together, locally and globally, is becoming ever more urgent.
Contact: board@sccan.scot
Emma Yule
SCCAN Board Member
I work on projects that engage and inspire people to take climate action and begin their journey into climate science and climate justice. I am a PhD researcher and tutor at Edinburgh University focused on extreme weather and climate adaptation. I was listed on the Scottish Power COP26 Green Power List for her climate action work.
Contact: board@sccan.scot
Investing in Regional Networks – Support Staff
Jean-Matthieu Gaunand
Edinburgh Regional Network Coordinator
With a background in community project management, I started working at SCCAN in 2018 as SCCAN communications coordinator and later as Network Weaver. I am now the Network Coordinator for the Edinburgh Climate Action Network. More info is available here.
Contact: jean-matthieu@sccan.scot
Alison Limbert
Lanarkshire Regional Network Coordinator
Working with private and public sector stakeholders,I have previously supported projects which built and upgraded public sector buildings. In more recent years I have worked with social enterprises, charities and community groups, in supporting circular economy and sustainability projects. Moving with my family from an urban to a rural area allows me to enjoy Scotland’s stunning natural environment and inspires me to protect it for my children and future generations to be able to continue to enjoy it.
Contact: alisonl@sccan.scot
Circle Members
Zainab Al Lawati
Volunteer and Climate for Change Conversations Facilitator
I am very passionate about planet conservation. I think it very important to look after the environment and address the climate emergency, which is why I joined SCCAN. I also joined because SCCAN follows sociocracy, which enables each person to have a voice, which is essential too.
Hazel Darwin-Clements
Storyteller, Community Climate Action Project worker
I’m interested in how to inspire effective community climate action in an artistic, meaningful and joyful way. My background is in theatre and arts, but I also freelance for a Porty Community Energy, run a cargo bike library, Community Fridge and Car Pool as well as organising Community Energy/Heat conversations.
Andrea Harrower
Development Worker at Greener Kirkcaldy
I started as a Media Volunteer at Greener Kirkcaldy in 2014. I joined their staff in 2021, coordinating the events schedule and marketing and communications activities. I also have a keen interest in media production as it is in this area I got my degree.
Katie Revell
Audio Producer
I’m an audio producer with a particular focus on food, farming and the climate crisis. For me, being involved in community climate action is a way of feeling connected and useful, and getting a regular dose of positivity – a necessary antidote to the frustration and despair that often comes with dwelling too much on the global situation!
Syed Sulaiman Shahul Hameed
SCCAN Volunteer
With a robust background in the energy sector, I am eager to channel expertise into fostering sustainability. Joining on a journey to contribute to the Scottish Communities Climate Action Network, where passion meets purpose. Together, let’s make strides toward a greener and more resilient future for all.
Mary Troup
SCCAN Volunteer
Alette Willis
SCCAN Volunteer
For the last two decades my work and my passion has revolved around how we think with stories about everyday ethical actions in relation to place and to the more-than-human world. I have explored this and experimented through performance storytelling, writing children’s books, doing research, teaching and facilitating workshops.