Connecting Carers

Roisin's role is Manager of Connecting Carers. As Manager she supports the wider team with operational issues, reports directly to the Board of Directors, liaises with our funders and commissioners and more importantly ensures the service we deliver to Carers meet their needs.

First thing in the morning Roisin likes to start her day with a little run with her Springer Spaniel, Toby, then straight into the office for an energy fuelling breakfast of porridge and blueberries. 

You can reach Roisin on 01463 723573 or mobile 07920 653631 or by email  rconnolly@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Liz joined Connecting Carers in 2014 as the Carer Liaison Worker for Inverness and Nairn, following which she was the Carer Improvement Group Carer Strategy Coordinator. Since February 2018 Liz has been Business Development Officer, responsible for managing the charity's business development and operational delivery.

Before moving to Highland, Liz worked for twenty-eight years within the Civil Service employed in various departments including Employment, Education and International Development. During that time she specialised in Human Resources, project management and led several teams in different policy areas.  She cared for both her parents over a period of nine years. On moving to Inverness Liz has had a variety of jobs and for a time was also self-employed involved in community development, training and life coaching. She is a Trustee for the Elsie Normington Foundation and coordinates an over 60s lunch club at the Royal Highland Hotel on behalf of the Caring and Sharing shop in Inverness on a monthly basis.
 
Liz has several hobbies including painting, singing, writing and swimming.

You can contact Liz on 07850794425 or by email on lsyred@connectingcarers.org.uk

Kirsty has been with Connecting Carers since 2013 and has worked with many wonderful young carers throughout Highland.  She has worked on a variety of projects and respite opportunities from film-making to organising trips for young carers to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Her current role sees Kirsty managing and supporting the Connecting Young Carers team where she is responsible for developing the work delivered in Highland and building positive working partnerships with other agencies to ensure young carers are informed and supported in their caring roles.

You can reach Kirsty on 01463 723562 or mobile 07950 328264 or by email at kcampbell@connectingcarers.org.uk

Mary joined Connecting Carers in April 2016 with the remit to raise awareness of the organisation throughout Highland.  Her background is in marketing and PR and previous roles include Head of Communications in Scotland for Ernst & Young and as the PR  Manager for a London based charity.   Mary's other claim to fame is that she ran the world's largest whisky festival for three years.

When not at work Mary is a professional photographer whose work has appeared in books, magazines newspapers and on television.  She loves to be outdoors and enjoys hillwalking and camping with her partner and her Cocker Spaniel, Scout.

You can reach Mary on 01463 723561 or 07850 794432 or by email at mhemsworth@connectingcarers.org.uk

Kasia joined Connecting Carers in February 2017. Her previous roles included working for Women’s Aid and providing support to people with learning disabilities.
Kasia oversees a team of link workers and makes sure that carers receive a high quality of support. Kasia is originally from Poland but Scotland is now her home.  
In her spare time, Kasia loves going for long walks on the beach, listening to Jazz music and reading.
You can reach Kasia on 07850 794423 or by email kwilczynska@connectingcarers.org.uk

For the 18 months prior to joining Connecting Carers in August 2018 Theresa spent her time tending her vegetable patch and her  greenhouse, baking cakes and making jam, cruising in her boat and  walking her two Border Terriers, Nevis and Lochy.
Whilst not giving all that up entirely Theresa will spend the next six months co-ordinating the formulation of a new Carer’s Strategy for Highland. This will include input from Carers, Health and Social Care and Voluntary Organisations who are responding to the demands of the new Carers legislation.
Previously Theresa was the Lead Officer for Carers within NHS Highland and has had a varied career in Health and Social Care stretching over some 37 years most of which spent in Lochaber where she first worked with children at the Children’s Home in Ballachulish and then went on to work with older people in Care Homes in Strontian and Fort William. Latterly she was Area Community Care Services Manager for Lochaber and then Area Health Services Manager before moving to Inverness and now Nairn.
 

Chris joined Highland Carers Advocacy in the summer of 2017.  Prior to this he had a full and varied career in the Police over 30 years, serving in London, Stornoway and Inverness.  He was latterly posted to a number of specialist departments at Headquarters in Inverness.  Chris retired as a Detective Sergeant in 2017.  He brings with him a wealth of experience of helping and communicating with people; leadership, team-working, problem solving and investigating skills.
 
A native of the Isle of Harris, Chris is married with two sons.  He enjoys spending time with his family, and their energetic Cocker Spaniel helps keep him active!  Chris enjoys all kinds of sport, particularly football (watching only!), running, cycling and hill-walking.

You can reach Chris on 07458 048827 or by email at cmacinnes@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Mary has been a carer for nearly 20 years in addition to working in residential care and home care prior to joining Connecting Carers. Mary brings an understanding of the changes a long term condition can have on a family.   

When not working Mary enjoys genealogy and is mapping several villages along the north coast for a project.  Mary works with Jill, a collie dog who broke her pelvis in an accident,  teaching her assistant duties. Jill's most recent task was to learn to pick up and place something in the bin which she sucessfully achieved, however she still won't roll over!

Mary also enjoys taking time out to watch marvel movies, loves a superhero, crime fiction and is trying to learn to knit.

You can reach Mary on 07920 653777 or email her on mcook@connectingcarers.org.uk

Gemma joined Connecting Young Carers from Barnardo’s Works where she helped care-experienced and at risk young people develop employability skills and gain employment.  Her previous role was for Barnardo’s Children’s services within a residential setting, helping cared for young people to prepare for independent living.

My role as Young Carer Schools Liaison Worker involves visiting schools in Highland to raise awareness of young carers by presenting PSE lessons and speaking to teachers about what a young carer is and the support young carers need.

Gemma will also be helping out with events and residentials.

You can reach Gemma on 07823 415060 or by email at gcooper@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Thea is the Referrals Coordinator and joined Connecting Carers in July 2018.  Prior to joining Connecting Carers, Thea worked for the National Health Service and British Army Reserve.  Thea was a carer for her Grandparents in the past and continues to care for her Mother.  When not in the office, Thea enjoys camping, walking and outdoor swimming with her Husband.      

You can reach Thea on 01463 723567 or email teyre@connectingcarers.org.uk


 

Lyndsey is a Carer Link Worker covering Ross-shire.  Her role involves meeting carers and supporting them to complete their Adult Carer Support Plans. Lyndsey can also help carers access local services and funding, information and support to help them in their caring role.

When not at work Lyndsey is a volunteer with the Scout Association and runs a very busy and active Beaver Scout Colony.  Lyndsey loves to craft, especially with paper, glitter and glue; you can never have too much sparkle in your life!  A carer herself, Lyndsey understands the day to day pressures of being a carer.

You can reach Lyndsey on 07850 794433 or by email on ljohnston@connectingcarers.org.uk

 

Seonaid is a ntive of Inverness and attended Millburn Academy. She attended university where she got a Masters in Script Writing and worked as a journalist before moving in to mental health work.  She is a fluent gaelic speaker and works for the BBC from time to time.

Seonaid joined the advocacy team to support people who are being disregarded in their decision making and has experience as a carer.

When not working Seonaid spends time with her family and her cats.

You can reach Seonaid on 07760 779462 or by email at smacdonald@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Lisa joined Connecting Carers in July 2018 and covers the Lochaber Area. Previously Lisa worked for 20 years as a clerical assistant in the largest Primary School in Lochaber. This was a role that she enjoyed but her interest in helping people spurred her on to look for employment in the third sector. She is looking forward to meeting and supporting the Carers in Lochaber.

Her hobbies include walking her dog and travelling around Scotland in her campervan! She is also a football coach for youth teams in Fort William and has previously worked for Ross County FC.

You can reach Lisa on 07850 794456 or by email lmacgillivray@connectingcarers.org.uk

Dhana joined Connecting Carers in July 2016 and covers Inverness and Nairn area. Dhana is very passionate about her role, enjoys meeting carers/individuals, lending a listening ear and supporting each to reach their desired outcomes.

Dhana has worked in the care sector for over 14 years and her background includes working with adults with learning disabilities, complex needs, mental health, working with the elderly with dementia, Parkinson's and mobility issues.
Previous to this Dhana's background was in hairdressing, which begun when she left school and continued for 16 years'.

You can reach Dhana on 07920 657100 or by email on dmacleod@connectingcarers.org.uk

You can reach Kasia on 07760 779460 or email kmcmorland@connectingcarers.org.uk


 

Alex, our Young Carer’s Worker, joined the team in December 2016.

Her previous job serving in the Military as an Army Combat medical technician has given her a wide variety of skills.   Alex has previous experience working alongside the Army welfare team taking young children on residential activities and working on youth club projects.  Within the Army Alex worked alongside mental health teams and in hospitals.

 Her role at Connecting Young Carers involves working with young carers, planning and organising respite and fun events and attending educational and awareness raising sessions throughout the Highlands.

You can reach Alex on 01463723563 or by email at aquill@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Johann joined the advocacy team in September 2017 and believes that the saying 'it takes a village to raise a child', often equally applies to the support carers require and ought to have.  Johann's previous roles include supporting young people with additional support needs, and policy and research on poverty and health inequalities. 
 
Johann has two children, two cats, enjoys hillwalking, reading, music and has a long held interest in refugee and migrant rights. 

You can contact Johann on 01463 723570 or 07786 042643 or by email at jroden@connectingcarers.org.uk
   .
 

Shirley-anne is the Hospital and Community Carer Link Worker for Nairn and Inverness. She has joined the team with previous experience within NHS roles and also has a personal understanding of caring for someone with a long term illness. Shirley-anne understands the pressures faced by a carer every day and looks forward to being able to help carers hopefully make things a little easier and brighter in her new role.
 
When not at work Shirley-anne is a busy wife and mum to a little girl. Together they enjoy a pretty active outdoor life with walking, cycling, skiing and kayaking.  Everyone needs a little escape and “me time" and for her it’s the garden or baking.

You can reach Shirley-anne on 07760 779461 or by email ssmith@connectingcarers.org.uk

Donna joined Connecting Carers in March 2018 as the GP Link Worker for Badenoch & Strathspey, based in Aviemore at the Doctors Surgery.

Before joining the Connecting Carers team Donna worked as a Childcare and Education Manager for 25 years and prior to that Donna worked in the Retail and Hospitality trade.   

When not at work Donna volunteers for a number of projects in her local community in Badenoch & Strathspey including the Christmas Eve Parade, the Christmas Village Family Party,  the Gala Day, local Foodbank and other projects run locally throughout the year.

In her free time Donna enjoys walking, yoga, reading, painting, sketching and meeting up with friends for a good old chin wag!  She always enjoys meeting new people and has a passion for making a positive difference to the lives of others. 

You can reach Donna on 07850 794568 or by email on dshaw@connectingcarers.org.uk

Rosemary completed her Nurse Training in 1986 and in the past has worked in hospital nursing, practice nursing and various roles through the nursing bank whilst raising a family of four children. More recently, Rosemary worked for 12 years with The Highland Council supporting people into/back to work through training, volunteering, education and childcare support.

Outside work she is very family orientated, enjoy walking her wee dog and reading a good book when she has  the time!
 
You can reach Rosemary on 07458 048826 or by email on rwilson@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Sarah has a varied role supporting all three of our projects and the Connecting Carers Board of Directors.
 
Sarah is also a sessional Young Carer Worker helping support the team at Young Carer events, festivals, residential breaks.  

Tel: 01463 723568
Email: stait@connectingcarers.org.uk