BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Lairg & District Learning Centre is a company limited by guarantee with a board of directors comprising local people with experience and knowledge of Sutherland and representing different sectors of the community. The board has overall responsibility for governance matters and for the strategic direction of the centre. Board meetings are held once a month.
Irene Mackintosh
Chairperson
Irene Mackintosh is co-founder and managing director of Mhor Collective, a community interest company which seeks to work with a range of partners to provide resilient models of digital inclusion through the provision of training and organisational support. She’s also a researcher at The University of the West of Scotland attempting a PhD evidencing the links between digital and social exclusion. Irene has been working in the third sector for over twenty years and has a background in -amongst other things – social justice, community learning, family support, advocacy, funding and community capacity building.
She’s a massive fan of Dr Who and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (as you should be too) and considers Sutherland to be the Best Place on the Planet.
Morag MacDonald
Treasurer
Morag MacDonald has lived all her life in Lairg. She attended Lairg Primary and Golspie High School before completing Enrolled Nurse training at University of Stirling Raigmore campus in 1983. She has worked for Bank of Scotland since 1990. Morag has been involved with various committees over the years some being – Play Group, School Parent Council and Board, Community Council, L D C I and is Treasurer of Lairg Branch Macmillan Cancer Support. Morag has participated in Sewing, Wreath Making, and Cake and Christmas workshops. She also took part in creating the Learning Centre Water Garden Feature.
Rita Orr
(Lairg)
Rita moved to Lairg in 2000 and has been involved with the learning centre since it first opened in 2004. She was a member of the original Lairg Learning Association. Rita has worked as a seamstress, childminder and care worker and as a cleaner at the learning centre so has good knowledge of housekeeping matters. Rita has also been a learner at the centre for 10 years and brings a learner’s perspective to the Board of Directors. She enjoys gardening and photography in her spare time.
Sanaa McLeod
Vice Chair
Sanaa McLeod of Moroccan origin worked in administration and marketing department in Casablanca before she moved to the UK in 2008. Sanaa took part in different courses as a learner like Cambridge Certificate and also recreational workshops such as cake decorating and sewing. Sanaa helped with administration tasks and volunteered as an ABE teacher. She worked as a cleaner at the Centre too. With the Centre’s staff guidance, Sanaa took on some teaching training (TEFL, ESOL, ITALL) and delivered a number of courses like SQA class, French language and IT classes. Sanaa is hoping to utilise her knowledge in languages and tutoring to provide services that could benefit Lairg and Sutherland community. Whenever possible, Sanaa enjoys practicing her beauty therapy skills on friends and family.
Marjorie Mackenzie
(Rogart)
Marjorie was born in Lairg and started work in the Dornoch Bank of Scotland. Once she married, she moved to Rogart and became a business proprietor with her husband. Their Post Office and store is in the hub of the village and offers local employment opportunities. Marj is responsible for all of the clerical work for the business, as well as being a Post Office Counter Assistant.
Adrian Owen
(Edderton)
Adrian has been associated with the area since 2006 having taken early retirement from the financial service industry in the South East of England. He currently runs a busy self-catering holiday business with his wife as well as being a professional masseur. Adrian’s first contact with the centre was as a learner but now also offers courses on Financial Planning as well as Massage Therapy. When not working Adrian enjoys nothing better than exploring the Highlands, bird watching and photography. “One day I will try my hand at golf again but at the moment I’m a bit too busy being semi-retired!”
Lorraine Davidson
Lorraine began her career in Counselling and Support in 2002, counselling clients and their family members who were suffering from Alcohol/Drug Abuse Issues. After gaining accreditation with AFS she continued providing advice and counselling on a voluntary basis before moving over to Private Practice, Open Doors, in 2011.
Over the past 15 years she has continued her Professional Development gaining certificates in Life-Coaching, Nutritional Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and many more. Lorraine has taught a range of classes for the Learning Centre since 2012 and is a Trustee for several local charities.
Kaye Hurrion
Bio coming soon