ROBERT (BOB) RENDALL, M.THEOL

Educated at The Salvation Army’s International Training College in London and St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews, Bob has over 40 years of experience in voluntary sector management and leadership. Commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer and ordained as a Minister of the Religion, Bob held positions within the international charity including church ministry and leadership, community centre management as well as regional roles with responsibility for youth work and finance.

Appointed as Community Projects Manager at the nascent Eric Liddell Centre in Edinburgh, Bob nurtured its embryonic growth by building pivotal relationships in the local community through partnerships and a range of joint initiatives involving local politicians, social care, health and educational managers. This role was funded by the congregations of the three churches, Christ Church Morningside, Morningside Baptist Church and Morningside United Church, who were visionaries behind the development.

As the first Chief Executive Officer at the Eric Liddell Centre, Bob raised the money to complete phases 2 and 3 of the building development. This provided the charity with an aesthetically beautiful, purpose-built facility over five floors which incorporated offices for up to 10 other charities, a day care facility, café, games hall and four other suites available for use by members of the community. The Centre’s nationally important collection of 20th century stained glass was also restored.

Bob also directed the ongoing development of specialized day care services for people with a diagnosis of dementia and oversaw its growth from the provision of 16 places each week to an eventual 70 places. He also developed a citywide service for informal carers from an original concept that he had. This service provided a range of courses emphasising social care, health promotion and wellbeing in the context of lifelong learning. An important offshoot from the service was the development of the Carer Befriending Service and latterly a lunch and activity programme for carers and the people they care for.

He has been a Director/Trustee of numerous Voluntary Sector groups including: Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations; Age Concern Scotland (now Age Scotland); Scottish Association of Volunteer Managers; 3Ms Development Project; 3Ms Youth Partnership, The Corner - a voluntary service supporting people with a range of mental health disorders. Bob has also been instrumental in the development of other services including a Stroke Club and local Dyslexic Society.

Bob is committed to a fairer society in which the infinite value of every individual is valued and where community transformation and development comes about through the transformation of individual lives.

Bob currently holds voluntary positions as Chairman of the national charity, ‘Faith in Older People’, Director/Trustee of East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action and is involved in the development of Tea and Chat, a monthly meeting for people with a diagnosis of dementia and their carers based in the local village church where he and his wife worship and serve.