The Community Outreach Team (COT) works with colleagues across the Parliament to enhance opportunities for public engagement in the work of parliamentary committees. By supporting people and communities who wouldn’t otherwise engage with the Parliament, we channel critical lived experience and insight to help MSPs and committees when they undertake parliamentary inquiries and scrutiny of legislation.
To do this we work closely with key partners in communities across Scotland, such as Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs), and individual third sector organisations such as voluntary groups, charities and community organisations.
Depending on the committee business we’re supporting, we also work closely with thematic groups and communities of interest - e.g., children and young people, senior citizens, minority ethnic groups, LGBTI charities, disability rights organisations, etc.
We work with external groups in ways that are appropriate, respectful and safe. This ensures that our external partners feel valued, listened to and empowered.
The Team
COT consists of four members of staff who bring a wealth of experience to the team. Between us, the team covers all thirty-two local authority areas in Scotland. So, wherever you’re based, contact the appropriate Team member and we’ll do our best to help.
- Paul - Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray, Renfrewshire,
Scottish Borders, and West Dunbartonshire.
- Ewan - Argyll & Bute, Dundee City, East Renfrewshire, Fife, Inverclyde, North
Lanarkshire, Orkney, South Lanarkshire,
- Kate - East Ayrshire, Edinburgh City, Midlothian, North Ayrshire, Perth and
Kinross, South Ayrshire, Western Isles, West Lothian
- Leoncha - Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian,
Falkirk, Glasgow City, Shetland, Stirling