MEET THE TEAM
CLIVE KENNEDY
FOUNDER
Our Founder and Benefactor, Clive Kennedy, is a passionate and driven individual dedicated to creating meaningful change. His enthusiasm and understanding stem from his own journey of overcoming addiction. At a difficult point in his life, drugs and alcohol were damaging his family relationships and personal and professional life. With the support of others in recovery, Clive turned his life around.
Today, he runs a successful business in Ayrshire, has a young family, and is committed to giving back. His experience motivates him to invest his time and resources into Harbour Ayrshire, helping to create opportunities for others seeking their own pathways into recovery.
EDDIE GORMAN
PROJECT MANAGER
Our Project Manager, Eddie Gorman, brings extensive experience in the field of addiction and recovery. He has worked with innovative organisations such as the Violence Reduction Unit, where he served as a Senior Mentor on their award-winning employability project Street & Arrow. Eddie also held the role of Regional Supervisor with Medics Against Violence’s Navigator programme — a hospital-based intervention supporting individuals presenting to A&E with drug and alcohol-related issues. In addition, he has worked as a Recovery Practitioner at Abbycare, one of Scotland’s flagship residential rehabilitation centres.
Complementing his professional background, Eddie is in long-term recovery himself and is deeply passionate about the work Harbour does to support individuals and communities.
VICKI BORLAND
VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Our Volunteer Coordinator, Vicki Borland, has a wealth of management experience, working previously as an Award-Winning Branch Manager within a local Ayrshire Property Company. Vicki is very passionate about helping others, so much so that she embarked on a new career path in the health & social care sector as a Mental Health & Well-being Practitioner within the Distress Brief Intervention Team for the Penumbra Mental Health Organisation. She has lived experience of addiction & has used her understanding & empathy within her volunteer role as THRIVE women’s group facilitator, empowering & encouraging our women who attend to know that change is possible. Vicki is married & is mother to a teenage son and 3 teenage stepdaughters.
STACEY McCALL
RECOVERY PRACTITIONER
Stacey McCall, our Recovery Practitioner in East Ayrshire, has built strong experience in the recovery field, beginning her journey in the health and social care sector as a Peer Worker for the Sky Project in East Ayrshire. This led to her role as a Peer Practitioner at the renowned rehabilitation centre Turnaround, supporting individuals recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. Stacey also worked as a Navigator with Medics Against Violence — a hospital-based intervention project supporting people presenting at A&E with addiction-related issues.
She combines her own lived experience of addiction with a passion for supporting others through her volunteering at New Horizons, our hospital-based group supporting patients. Stacey is also a mother to a teenage son and brings empathy and understanding to parents and children affected by addiction.
VARI McFADZEAN
DIGITAL INCLUSION OFFICER
Our Digital Inclusion Officer, Vari McFadzean, has extensive experience gained through her work with a global online business platform where digital inclusion was the primary focus. Vari has lived experience of addiction and has successfully transformed her life. Her own journey accessing recovery online has stood her in good stead as she now facilitates the Zoom Room, supporting individuals who are unable to access face-to-face support. Through her role, she works across Ayrshire, connecting people to recovery and helping them access the support they need.
Vari is a mother to three teenage sons and is passionate about providing support to her local community in Ayrshire.
ROBERT HAMILTON
RECOVERY PRACTITIONER (NORTH)
Our Recovery Practitioner, Robert Hamilton, has a successful background in construction, working his way up from a groundworker into a management position. Robert received support from Harbour’s Buddy Service during his recovery from long-term alcohol use and now sees his journey as something that can benefit others currently experiencing addiction. He became a Group Facilitator at our MOT Peer Support Groups and has subsequently turned full circle, becoming a Harbour Buddy himself, embodying the Harbour philosophy that ‘change is possible’.
ANDREW DOWNIE
FUNDING MANAGER
Andrew took up the post of Funding Manager, having helped the Charity on a part-time basis from its inception. He manages a portfolio of funding awards and works to create new opportunities and relationships to assist with the Charity’s ongoing development. Andrew has a strong background in fundraising, starting with his family’s sporting interest in Ayr Archery Club from a young age, and also through his career with Ayr United FC, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and Vics in the Community. He is pleased to be able to help Harbour Ayrshire with its valuable work across the Ayrshire community.
MICHELA COSTA-WATT
ADMINISTRATION OFFICER
Born in Milan, Italy, Michela graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Economics at the prestigious Luigi Bocconi University in Milan, registering as an Italian Chartered accountant in 1994 and a Chartered Auditor in 1999. Michela’s career started in external audit with Price Waterhouse Coopers and, after moving to The Netherlands, continued working in Internal Audit and Management Accounting of international corporations, such as Ferrero International and Nike. This saw her working in locations such as Brazil, Africa and the USA. Michela also worked as a Trade Analyst for the Italian Trade Commission in Amsterdam. After moving to Scotland in 2003, Michela worked as a Senior Auditor for East Ayrshire Council, before progressing to Audit Manager – a role she held for 13 years. She then spent 8 years as a Programme Manager within the East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
CHERYL LEDGERWOOD
FUNDRAISING ASSISTANT
Cheryl is Harbour Ayrshire’s Fundraising Assistant, supporting the development of funding applications, community fundraising events and donor engagement. She works closely with the team to help secure vital funding that enables Harbour to continue providing life-changing support to people affected by addiction across Ayrshire. Cheryl is passionate about making a difference and enjoys building relationships with supporters, businesses and community partners, ensuring every fundraising opportunity helps create hope, recovery and lasting change for the people we support.
CHARMAINE KELLY
SDF TRAINEE
Charmaine is completing her placement with Harbour Ayrshire as part of the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) Traineeship Programme. During her placement, she is gaining valuable experience supporting people affected by addiction while developing her knowledge and skills within a trauma-informed, recovery-focused environment. Charmaine works alongside the Harbour team across a range of services and activities, building confidence, learning from lived experience and contributing to the support we provide across Ayrshire. Her enthusiasm, compassion and willingness to learn make her a valued member of the team as she progresses towards a career in the recovery sector.
BRANDON VAN RENSBURG
CHARITY AMBASSADOR
Brandon is a successful local entrepreneur, owning and operating five thriving businesses that collectively employ over 70 staff across the region. But behind his business success lies a powerful personal story of transformation. Brandon’s recovery journey began when he reached out to Harbour Ayrshire for support with his battle against alcoholism. Brandon is a dedicated husband to Rachael and father to Charlie, Elliott, and Reeva, and is a passionate advocate for Harbour’s work. With lived experience at the heart of his message, he is committed to raising awareness and encouraging other local businesses to support the life-changing services Harbour provides. As a Harbour Ambassador, Brandon brings authenticity, empathy, and leadership to our mission. His story is living proof that recovery is possible.
