About Community Infosource
We are a Scottish charity based in Glasgow. Our work is with marginalised communities, especially people seeking asylum and refugees. We believe in the power of community to support people and ensure no one is left behind.
We work with communities and individuals so that they can realise their potential and become integreated more quickly. Our focus is on asylum seeker and refugee commyunities - including people who are survivors of abuse, persecution, torture and trafficking.
Our Impact
We use our range of experiences and expertise to support individuals, communities and organisations to develop skills, systems and services. We support isolated communities and individuals, working with community-based organisations, the voluntary sector, and local authorities.
Our approach is to help develop groups and organisations to put their own ideas into action. Our activities focus on joint projects building towards rights-based integration.
Volunteers
We recruit and train volunteers so they can get involved by working alongisde us on our various projects. It's a great opportunity that develops skills and improves employability.
Services
We create and run services which address the needs of minority groups. These initatives help us reach out to the people within the community.
Research
We conduct research into issues which affect people's access to services, rights or opportunities, particularly action research with researchers from the community.
Our Team
We are a small organisation, but our impact is real. We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, and funders who make this work possible. Together, we continue to stand in solidarity with people seeking asylum and refugees. We work for a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
We envision a Scotland - and a world - that celebrates diversity, supports its most vulnerable, and ensures justice for all. Our mission isn’t simply about addressing crises; it’s about creating systemic change, with solutions guided by the individuals and communities we serve.
Stuart Radose
Chief Executive Officer
Maureen Donaldson
Finance Officer
Hassan Darasi
Outreach Delivery Manager
Kevin Curtin
Service Delivery Manager
Abubakr Awad
Fieldworker
Nabaz Aziz
Fieldworker
Wafaa Awadelkarim
Caseworker
Anna Yeamans
Befriending Caseworker
Our Board
Community InfoSource is guided by a dedicated Board of Trustees. Our board members are all volunteers who give their time and expertise to make sure the charity is run well. They oversee our strategic direction, finances, and legal responsibilities.
Coming from a range of professional backgrounds, our trustees bring valuable skills in areas like community development, finance, and law. Many have personal, lived experience of the asylum system.
Ako Zada
Chair
Ako first joined CIS as a Director in 2013 and returned to the Board in 2019 after moving back to Glasgow. He became Chair in 2020 and is active in promoting CIS and its work. From a refugee background himself, Ako brings a deep understanding of the asylum system and the challenges faced by new arrivals. He is from Kurdistan, Iraq, and is a founding member of Zagros, a Kurdish Scottish organisation established in 2019.
Duncan Sim
Vice Chair
Duncan joined the CIS Board in 2019 and is a retired academic with experience in social science research at the Universities of Stirling and West of Scotland. His research has focused on minority ethnic communities, refugees and people seeking asylum, including studies for the Scottish Government, local authorities and charities. He has worked with CIS on research into refugee settlement, homelessness and the Living Well project. Duncan also brings governance experience from 19 years on the Board of a local housing association.
Elizabeth Dudley
Director
Elizabeth joined the CIS Board in October 2019 and is actively involved in CIS projects. Nigerian-British, she has a background in education, law, public relations and parliamentary work. She spent almost 15 years as Parliamentary Assistant and Researcher to Margaret Beckett MP. Much of her constituency casework focused on asylum, immigration, housing and homelessness, including work linked to the Windrush scandal.
Sam Bisiriyu
Secretary
Sam joined the CIS Board in 2019 and brings experience in education, health and social care, community development and rights based campaigning. Originally a teacher of Business Studies and Mathematics in Nigeria, he has over 10 years’ experience in care and support roles, including team leadership and management. Sam has volunteered with Positive Action in Housing, providing money skills advice and casework support. He is also co-founder of Migrants Organising for Rights and Empowerment, campaigning for dignity, rights to work, education, housing and voting rights for people seeking asylum and refugees.
Sekou Ouattara
Treasurer
Sekou joined the CIS Board in 2023 and serves as Treasurer, providing financial oversight and strategic input. Originally from the Ivory Coast, he holds MSc degrees in Applied Economics and International Banking and Finance, with expertise in economic forecasting and data analysis. He is active in community and social justice work in Glasgow, including through St Rollox Church, Poverty Alliance, Govan Community Project and Maryhill Integration Network. Sekou brings lived experience, financial expertise and strong advocacy skills, including presenting research to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Migration.
Rowayda Alashqar
Director
Rowayda is from Palestine and holds a Master’s degree in International Studies and a BA in History and Political Science. She brings experience as a researcher, archivist and history teacher. Rowayda was previously a walk leader with the CIS Wellbeing Project, where she led women’s groups to support wellbeing, confidence and community participation. She brings strong leadership skills, lived experience and a commitment to supporting inclusive communities.
Sheila Arthur
Director
Sheila has been involved with CIS since it was established in 2006. She has a lifelong commitment to community-based organisations, including extensive experience in local housing associations, one of which she managed. Sheila has supported people seeking asylum since dispersal began in Glasgow in 2000. She brings long-standing knowledge of CIS, strong community experience and a deep commitment to social justice.
Khadija Chafiq
Director
Further details coming soon
Habab Idris Ahmed
Director
Further details coming soon