My name is Scott Haines, and I am Training Delivery and Content Manager for Shannon Trust. I have worked for the organisation now for just over 2 years, having previously spent various roles working in the drug and alcohol treatment sector.
When I joined Shannon Trust, the focus of my role was on helping to test whether we could offer Shannon Trust reading programmes in community settings, having previously done almost all of our work exclusively in prisons. Subsequently, a big focus of my role is on developing and maintaining relationships with partner organisations. Over the past 2 years, we have helped a number to set up their own reading programmes, and I provide each of them with training and ongoing support, and in some cases help them to find volunteer coaches.
Shannon Trust’s community based work is now established and growing. To support this, I am constantly looking to develop new partnerships and to see how we can expand opportunities for learners to access reading support, and for people to volunteer helping them.
Another big aspect of my current role is leading on the pilot of our new Turning Pages Digital tool with a small group of early adopter sites. I am very working closely with these sites and our developers to identify improvements, which will allow us to make this resource widely available and support even more people to improve their reading. In addition to this, I will also be designing and maintaining a suite of training resources to support people to become reading coaches.
My role is a challenging and tremendously exciting one, but it’s also hugely exciting and gives me the chance to make a huge difference.
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