Who We Are & What We Do
Mission
The Scottish Community Heritage Alliance (SCHA) supports both individuals and organisations involved in community heritage throughout Scotland. SCHA strives to represent these grassroots voices at a national level, while providing advocacy, networking, support and research opportunities. We are looking for people who are passionate about Community Heritage to join us and make their voice heard
Values
Small Title
Inclusivity
SCHA is for all within the community heritage sector (and what is deemed to be community heritage) including individuals, organisations, volunteers, those who have an interest in community heritage, students/learners, etc. regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, etc
Collaboration
Community Heritage is stronger together
Advocacy
Listen to the people within community heritage and help to create a positive change
Support
SCHA will continue to share with members opportunities in networking, partnerships, funding, development, sustainability, training and research
Innovation
SCHA will lead the way in supporting Community Heritage to become resilient, respected and understood in the wider heritage sector
Fair Work Commitment
As with any organisation, the SCHA is its people. This means it is committed to promoting and continuously advancing fair work and working conditions for both salaried and freelance staff. Further it seeks to ensure that those individuals and organisations which it funds, or otherwise works with, do the same.
It therefore:
-Embeds these commitments in all it undertakes, specifically in its contracts, reflecting fair pay and conditions, job security, opportunity and safety.
-Secures such commitments to fair work from those individuals and organisations with whom it contracts.
-Supports training and career advancement.
-Offers people flexibility to align with family life and caring commitments.
-Learns from those it engages in order so as to improve its offer to its people.
order so as to improve its offer to its people.
Meet The Board
Seymour Adams (Chair)
Seymour worked previously in the UK civil service (Ministry of Justice, Treasury and Department of Health) and subsequently in the NHS. He specialises in corporate governance and was Chair of the Audit Committee of the Scotland Office from 2012 – 2015. In Argyll, he is Chair of Friends of Kilbride and Vice Chair of CHARTS (Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and the Isles). He is a clarinettist and conductor and is currently secretary of Oban Music Society.
Susan Kruse (Treasurer)
Dr. Susan Kruse is the Learning and Engagement Manager at Archaeology for Communities in the Highlands (ARCH), which she co-founded in 2009. She has led many projects investigating Highland archaeology and heritage, from earliest times to 20th century remains, and is a passionate supporter of community involvement.
Julian Grant
Julian is in a final year of a PhD with University of the Highlands and Islands focussing on People, Place and the North Coast 500. He has previous research experience including oral history in Fife and community action in Maryhill, Glasgow. He is currently based in Edinburgh.
Fiona Howard
Fiona is a member of Helensburgh Heritage Trust. Her background is in the media, and she brings a wealth of experience in promoting community stories.
Helena Koumbouzis
Helena has recently completed a doctorate in Community heritage engagement, published papers on the subject and presented in conferences in the UK and internationally. She has been a member of community heritage organisations for more than 20 years and has led a series of publicly funded community heritage and arts projects in London, the UK and Greece.
Gavin MacGregor
Dr Gavin MacGregor has worked in Scottish archaeology since graduating in 1992, with experience in academic, commercial and community archaeology. As a Director of Northlight Heritage, he developed a range of archaeology and heritage-based projects and programmes for clients and communities across Scotland. Gavin is currently the Director of Archaeology Scotland.
Ailsa Smith
Ailsa has a Certificate in Field Archaeology from Glasgow University, and has been involved with ACFA (the Association of Certificated Field Archaeologists) on some of their projects, as well as Scotland’s Rock Art Project. She is involved with the Lanarkshire Heritage Forum and Scottish Strategic Archaeology Committee.
Morven MacDonald
A qualified Museum Professional, Morven is the Curator and Manager of The Highland Museum of
Childhood and Old Strathpeffer Railway Station Trust and is passionate about preserving the
museum’s collections and the Victorian spa village railway station which is home to the museum.
Her multi-faceted role in the organisation necessitates a diverse skillset – Morven is experienced in
collections management and curation, audience engagement, workforce management,
organisational governance and financial and strategic management.
Anna MacQuarrie (NicGuaire)
Anna is a Gaelic development professional who has worked in museums in curatorial and engagement roles for over a decade. Her work currently focuses on strengthening the use and representation of Gaelic language and culture in museums, both public-facing and behind the scenes. She is a native Gaelic speaker, with an MSc in Cultar Dùthchasach & Eachdraidh na Gàidhealtachd (Gaelic Material Culture & Highland History)
SCHA Advisors
Nicola McHendry
Nicola McHendry is the Manager at the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage and the head of Cairn Heritage - a museum consultancy specialising in community and grassroots heritage. Her experience is in working with communities to break down barriers and collaborate across disciplinary boundaries. She aims to provide better opportunities where they are most needed, in marginalised communities who have historically been underrepresented and underfunded for arts and cultural activities.