Hi everyone!
I’m Valerie McIntosh, and I’m delighted to have joined EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council) as a Development Worker, with a focus on Community Planning and Supporting Place-based Networks. I’ve been lucky enough to call Edinburgh home for the past 12 years, and it is an exciting place to do this kind of work, a city that is full of passionate people, vibrant communities, and a real appetite for change.
A Bit About Me
I’m originally from Scotland, so there’s something especially meaningful about putting down roots here and now, channelling that connection into work that genuinely matters to communities across the city.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me outdoors exploring nature, on the dancefloor swing dancing, rolling out a yoga mat, or planning my next adventure. I’ve travelled extensively across Australia, Asia and the South Pacific, so I’ve always been drawn to exploring different cultures and ways of life, and that curiosity about people and places feeds directly into the work I care most about.
My Journey Here
My path to EVOC has been anything but a straight line, and I think that’s what makes it interesting. Over 20 years working across the third sector, higher education, international volunteering, and retail, I’ve developed a strong track record of delivering high-quality, impactful programmes and services. Across every role, a common thread has run through it all: fostering collaboration, championing diverse communities and empowering people to co-create and lead the changes that matter most to them. Each experience has shaped how I think about community, collaboration and change.
One of the most formative experiences of my career, though, was volunteering in Nepal with Global Vision International — working alongside women and girls on skills development and co-creating resources that reflected local experiences and perspectives. Combined with professional training in Community Development, it gave me first-hand insight into what it really means to support communities to lead their own change.
What Drives Me
At the heart of everything I do is a simple belief: that people, organisations and communities thrive when the right conditions are created for them. I’m not interested in doing things to communities. I’m interested in doing things with them.
My grounding in psychology, alongside qualifications in Community Development, Mentoring, Carbon Literacy and Mental Health First Aid, gives me a holistic lens on wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability. I genuinely believe these aren’t add-ons to community planning — they’re central to it. Effective, lasting change must be rooted in the lived experiences of the people it’s meant to serve.
I was drawn to this role at EVOC because of the opportunity to bring together everything I care about: collaboration, advocacy, community engagement, and social and environmental impact. I believe in the power of co-creation, of building trust, listening deeply and working alongside people to find solutions that are meaningful, relevant and lasting.
What I Hope to Bring to EVOC
I’m coming into this role with a lot of energy and a genuine commitment to making a difference. I hope to help strengthen the third sector in Edinburgh by connecting my skills in collaboration, advocacy and research with the incredible work already happening across the city’s communities and networks.
I’m a collaborative person by nature. I thrive in team environments, I value peer support and knowledge-sharing, and I’m always looking to learn from the people around me. At the same time, I take real ownership of my work and hold myself accountable for outcomes. I’m reflective, resilient and motivated — and I’m excited to bring all of that to the work ahead.
My First Three Months
Getting out and meeting Place-based Networks and third sector organisations across Edinburgh has been one of the highlights of settling into this role. The passion, dedication and first-hand knowledge of community need I’ve encountered has been genuinely inspiring, and a reminder of just how much vital work is happening across this city every day.
I’m still very much in listening mode, building my understanding of the landscape and the relationships that hold it together. But already, I can see the depth of commitment that exists across Edinburgh’s communities — and I’m excited to play my part in supporting and strengthening it.
I’m also looking forward to meeting more people from third sector organisations who understand community needs first-hand at the consultation for Edinburgh’s Community Plan on Thursday, 26 February.
If we haven’t connected yet, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to share what’s happening in your area, explore how we might work together, or simply say hello… my door is open.
Valerie
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