Meet our Connected Lives team
7th July 2026
We are delighted to introduce the 3 freelance specialists who will be supporting the delivery of the Connected Lives project.
They will help deliver the Scotland-wide project providing free dementia and social connection training and e‑learning, helping volunteers, staff and carers feel confident supporting people living with dementia.
Edel Roddy
Connected Lives Trainer (In-Person)
Edel Roddy will be delivering our Connected Lives Dementia and Social Connection training at 20 locations across Scotland. With a professional background in nursing, research, training & development, Edel brings rich experience of engaging with health and social care, third sector and community organisations to the Connected Lives project. This work has taken her across the length and breadth of Scotland, the rest of the UK, and the far reaches of Australia!
Edel has a passion for creating spaces of connection and learning, where people can share their experiences and expertise, and come away with fresh perspectives and ideas.
Sean Catlin
Videographer
Sean Catlin is a videographer and editor based in Glasgow who works primarily with charities and community organisations. He specialises in creating work that captures candid moments of authenticity grounded in emotionally resonant storytelling. His experience covering sensitive subject matters has informed his approach, telling stories in a way that prioritises the dignity and wellbeing of contributors, giving them space to tell their story while respecting their boundaries.
For the Connected Lives project, Sean will be co-creating short video case studies with Befriending Networks members who demonstrate good practice in delivering dementia-friendly events, projects and services. These will be used in the Connected Lives training and e-learning.
Dr Victoria Jupp Kina
Project Evaluator
Dr Victoria Jupp Kina is the Director of Social Research ReImagined, a creative social research consultancy based in Dundee. Vic brings over 20 years’ experience working across community development research and practice, and loves working with clients to design research and evaluations that open up the reflective space to identify and understand impact. She leads an interdisciplinary team of researchers, practitioners and creatives who are passionate about finding new and creative ways to ask the right questions, the right way.
She will be evaluating the Connected Lives project to demonstrate the impact for those who take part.
Connected Lives is a Befriending Networks project funded by the Scottish Government’s Dementia Resilient Communities Fund.
Befriending Networks is a small charity but our impact is big: our network reaches 22,000 volunteers and their matches across the UK every year. Donate today to support our work.