Our Trustees

After a senior career in finance, including Board-level experience, Susan became an accredited leadership coach and mentor. She is committed to helping people develop their potential, with a particular focus on confidence, communication, and personal impact, and actively volunteers with local charities. A keen independent traveller, Susan enjoys connecting with people from different countries and backgrounds. In her spare time, she sings in a choir and can always be found cheering on her beloved football team.

Annette has been a volunteer with ERSC for over 4 years now, before becoming a trustee.

She was a stay at home mother with a background in communications and psychology. She now works in a childcare charity. 

Born in Scotland, from a culturally diverse family - she very much believes in the human in each of us. 

With a family to run after, Annette wishes she had more spare time to help more, play computer games, discover more recipes and all the other pastimes she keeps picking up and not having enough time for!!!

Fae comes with over ten years experience in organising with and for people in displacement and asylum systems across Europe, a MA in Human Rights and Social Work and a fountain of passion for community-based work for structural change and Transformative Justice. In her day job she works as a Grant manager for Edinburgh Trust focusing on strengthening the participation of people with lived experience. If she is not wearing an Organiser hat she can be found gardening or strolling up and down Leith Walk.

 

Gina is an experienced international development professional with a current focus on climate finance research at an international think tank. She has worked with the Scottish Government as a Climate Justice Policy Officer and was a member of Scotland's Climate Assembly Secretariat. At times, Gina's work has examined the impact of climate change on migration and displacement. 

Through community sponsorship programs, Gina envisions communities as part of a global movement fostering welcoming spaces and reshaping the discourse around displacement. She is committed to inclusive decision-making and advocates for community engagement in creating tailored solutions.

Outside of her professional endeavours, you'll find Gina at her happiest hiking with her collie, Winnie.

Jamie is an experienced Finance professional who has worked in the charitable sector for 10+ years, in homelessness (Four Square Scotland), disability (LEAD Scotland, MS Society and Leonard Cheshire) and now works in the Higher Education sector with Queen Margaret University. With prior experience in the private sector, helps provide some commercial acumen to his work within the charity environment.

He is passionate about contributing through his work and understanding the people he works with, to help improve the quality of life and eradicate inequality for all in society.

In his spare time you will find him enjoying his favourite sports, including bowling and golf.

Saima has over six years experience in the third sector, both as a volunteer and professional. Her experience has largely focused on working with disabled people and within the social care sector, alongside roles supporting victims of crime, children, and mental wellbeing initiatives. She recently completed a Masters in Gender Studies and currently works within the criminal justice service.
 

In her spare time, Saima enjoys reading and seeking out Nordic treats that remind her of Finland.

Muhanad, originally from Syria, moved to Scotland in 2020 after living in Greece and Germany. He is passionate about helping refugees like himself, having delivered legal information on Europe's borders in Greece and Calais, as well as assisting Arabic and Kurdish-speaking children in Edinburgh schools.  

Muhanad has just completed an HNC in counselling. He recognises the importance of allowing people fleeing war and trauma survivors to speak about their experiences.

He enjoys spending time with his family, playing with his 2-year-old daughter, and hosting Syrian brunches and BBQs for friends.

Oluwaseun Olawepo is an HR professional with over 10 years of progressive experience in People Management, HR Strategy and Corporate Governance. His career spans multiple sectors, including Banking, Telecommunications, Real Estate, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Health & Wellness, giving him a broad and adaptable perspective on organizational effectiveness and people development.

He is currently completing a Master’s by Research in Leadership and Strategy, with a strong academic and professional interest in Ethical Leadership and People Development.

Oluwaseun is a Chartered Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), UK, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), Nigeria. He serves as a Trustee out of a deep personal commitment to supporting people in need and contributing his skills to meaningful social impact.

Sarah has over 10 years of working with displaced people in the UK and along the UKs borders in Northern France and Greece.  In 2016, alongside a group of friends she co-founded the Refugee Info Bus in Calais, Northern France.  The charity went on to provide people who had just arrived in Northern France and Greece with up-to-date practical, accessible legal information and assistance, access to the internet and phone charging.  In 2020 Sarah moved back to Edinburgh alongside her husband, fellow trustee, Muhanad and works as an independent child trafficking guardian with Aberlour. 

In her spare time you can find Sarah faffing around in leith links with her toddler.