Melissa Byrne
Edinburgh
Summary
Experienced professional with 30+ years experience of supporting others across community, health and education settings; mainly in the Third Sector. Creating welcoming and safe environments where people can connect are particular strengths.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Area Manager - South
Cruse Scotland
Edinburgh
2025.05 - 2025.11
- Supporting 50+ volunteer counsellors and paid Area Coordinator
- Interviewing and facilitating local induction training and conducting volunteer annual reviews
- Representing Cruse Scotland at allocated local and national meetings & organising volunteer events e.g Volunteer Celebration week.
Lecturer - Health & Social Care
West Lothian College
Livingston
2020.03 - 2024.11
- Course Tutor to 20+ HNC Social Services and 20+ Level 5 Health & Social Care students; providing pastoral care & progression advice
- Teaching students across SCQF levels 4-7 in health and social care subjects
- Organising annual student led fundraising events
- Designing course content and materials for subjects
- Assessing and marking student work.
Family Link Worker
West Lothian Council
Livingston
2018.01 - 2020.06
- Supporting children, young people and their families through the provision of individual support, group work programmes and community events.
- Encouraging home-school links and parent partnership in children's education
- Providing practical support through school and food bank referrals for low income families
- Providing transition support for young people due to start secondary school, including neurodivergent young people.
Inclusion Officer
Fabb Scotland
Edinburgh
2016.05 - 2017.12
- Coordinating activity clubs, playschemes & residentials for disabled children and young people
- Recruiting, training & supporting 30+ volunteers
- Line managing 10+ sessional staff
- Managing office.
New Spin Development Worker
Citadel Youth Centre
Edinburgh
2013.01 - 2015.03
- Running a weekly intergenerational cafe, themed groups & events bringing different generations together
- Recruiting, supporting & supervising 10+ volunteers
- Undertaking monitoring & evaluation of the project.
Weekend Project Worker - Number Twenty Hostel
Four Square
Edinburgh
2009.01 - 2012.06
- Lone working position, supporting 6 homeless young women
- Maintaining a safe environment and dealing with incidents
- Providing key working and informal support
Project Worker/Youth Participation Worker
Citadel Youth Centre
Edinburgh
2002.05 - 2009.01
- Facilitating individual support, group work and youth club programmes for 6-18 year olds
- Running holiday playschemes and residentials
- Recruiting, supporting and supervising volunteers and sessional staff (team of around 20).
Warden - Number Twenty Hostel
E.C.S.H (now Four Square)
Edinburgh
1999.01 - 2001.05
- Providing evening office cover and emergency overnight cover for 6 homeless young women
- Maintaining a safe environment (building checks, security, fire alarms)
- Dealing with crisis incidents (e.g mental health, addiction).
Education
PG Teaching Qualification in Further Education - Teaching
Stirling University
Scotland 2022.09 - 2023.06
BN Child Health - Nursing
Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh 2009.09 - 2012.06
BA Community Education - Youth Work, Community Work, Adult Education
Moray House Institute
Edinburgh 1995.09 - 1998.06
Skills
- Volunteer Management
- Co-ordinating & facilitating activities, clubs, events
- Health & safety, safeguarding, risk assessment management
- Making people feel welcome
Affiliations
- Spending time with my dog, reading, watching documentaries and film, time with friends.
Timeline
Area Manager - South
Cruse Scotland
2025.05 - 2025.11
PG Teaching Qualification in Further Education - Teaching
Stirling University
2022.09 - 2023.06
Lecturer - Health & Social Care
West Lothian College
2020.03 - 2024.11
Family Link Worker
West Lothian Council
2018.01 - 2020.06
Inclusion Officer
Fabb Scotland
2016.05 - 2017.12
New Spin Development Worker
Citadel Youth Centre
2013.01 - 2015.03
BN Child Health - Nursing
Edinburgh Napier University
2009.09 - 2012.06
Weekend Project Worker - Number Twenty Hostel
Four Square
2009.01 - 2012.06
Project Worker/Youth Participation Worker
Citadel Youth Centre
2002.05 - 2009.01
Warden - Number Twenty Hostel
E.C.S.H (now Four Square)
1999.01 - 2001.05
BA Community Education - Youth Work, Community Work, Adult Education
Moray House Institute
1995.09 - 1998.06