My name is Diane Cairns
I'm 47 and a Development manager with Manor & Castle Development Trust.
"My story is like a lot of women, left school with a few qualifications and started my family at a young age (18), but I then went on to take my O and A levels as a mature student and then a Nursery Nursing qualification, whilst being involved in the local community in a coluntary capacity"
"I became aware of MASKK whilst working at MCDT, helping them with funding, support and advice. I found this part of my community development role very rewarding, as I could use my personal experience and knowledge to help them."
In 2005 some major staff changes affected the club as existing paid staff moved on to progress themselves in alternative paid employment. This was great for them as it offered them an opportunity to develop both personally and professionally, but it left MASSK in a very vulnerable position with a diminshed management committee and team of volunteers.
We carried out an assessment and although it didn't look good on paper I had a gut feeling that MASKK had the potential to survive.
I became the management Committee Chair and initiated a list of actions required to turn the club around. With the support of the last remaining member of staff, volunteers, little learners staff, Manor Initiative, Out of School Network and MCDT we began to see a future.
3 years later the club is a major support to families of the area and has even extended its service to Saturday mornings.
