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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Chief encounters: Eliot Stark on being a community anchor

This feature is about 7 years old
 

Eliot Stark is the chief executive of STRiVE, the third sector interface (TSI) for East Lothian

What is the biggest benefit TSIs provide?
A community anchor, we are here to ultimately to help people, keeping that focus is essential.

What is an average working day look like for you?
There is no such thing, could be in community planning, could be at our outdoor centre, could be financial planning, sometimes the SCVO board!

What do you like most about your job?
Never dull, always different, most of all the staff, they are brilliant.

And least?
Somethings you just cannot say… audit is not fun!

Is it better to work for a big charity or a small charity?
Scale brings different challenges, preference is SME.

How often do you change your job?
Only in my fourth adult job!

Is it possible to stay in a job for too long?
Yes but who would tell you!

Would you quit if you won the lottery?
I would quit paid work yes, but never the sector, volunteer for life.

And would you donate any to charity?
Yes but only to ones working with people!

What was the last thing you did that scared you?
Painting the guttering and flashing on my house, up a ladder pot of paint, paintbrush in each hand and no hand to hold the ladder…

Speaking about ladders, is your current job a step on the ladder to success or your final destination?
It’s just a journey, no ladder, listen to MBV “To Here Knows When”. Where’s the music question?

We replaced it with one about films this week, what’s your favourite film?
Not one but three, Blade Runner, Apocalypse Now and A Prophet.

How often do you socialise with colleagues?
Reasonably frequently when the thole me!

Would your 16-year-old self be impressed with where you are now?
Horrified at my waist line, happy at my musical journey, a long journey from textile college.

Which Brian Cox?
Definitely the physicist, fun learned and entertaining.