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
 

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.
 

Charlotte has worked in a variety of creative communication roles across the Highlands, working with organisations such as The Highland Council and RSPB Scotland. She has also previously worked as a self-employed graphic designer and visual artist, specialising in creative workshop delivery to schools and community groups.

Charlotte's role in Connecting Carers is Communications and Information Officer and is responsible for delivering a creative, informative and innovative communication and information service.

When not working Charlotte enjoys a range of creative hobbies including painting, sketching, graphic design and photography. She loves exploring outdoors, along the coast and in the countryside, with her family and dog Jay. Charlotte is inspired by the natural world and is a firm believer in connecting with nature for wellbeing.

You can reach Charlotte on 01463 723561 or 07850 794432 or by email: cmackenzie@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

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

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

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

 

Claire is the Link Worker for Inverness and Nairn. She has had previous experience working in the NHS and is particularly interested in the field of Mental health. Claire enjoys working in the local community and  works collaboratively with carers to achieve their outcomes by supporting them to complete an Adult Carer Support Plan.
 
When not at work, Claire likes spending time with her family, swimming, watching TV and travelling whenever possible.

You can reach Claire on 07920 657100 or by email on cgallagher@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

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
 

Heather has recently joined the team as their referral and event co-ordinator. Over the last 21 years her career has been focused on education, where she has been a primary teacher across the border in England, as well as more recently back home in the Highlands.

Heather says “This is an exciting new role as it allows me to still work with youngsters through planning exciting events for them to attend.”  Our location is such a fantastic resource and enables us to plan activities in an environment that is outstanding and in my view cannot be beaten (unless the midges are out!!).

 You can reach Heather on 01463 723562 or mobile 07850794530 or by email at h.drake-brockman@connectingcarers.org.uk



 

Pauline joined Connecting Carers in May 2019 as their Volunteer Co-ordinator.  In this role Pauline works closely with the volunteers who provide our counselling services to Carers.

Outside of work Pauline fully understands the challenges and pressures of being a Carer, as this is a role she fulfils for her young daughter.  However, away from work and hospital appointments Pauline enjoys going to a local pilates class for her weekly hour of calm.  She is also lucky enough to have her own ‘personal trainer’ in the form of her pet labrador.  Bailey ensures, come rain or shine, that Pauline gets out for daily walks in the local woods or at the beach.

You can reach Pauline on 07850 794425 or by email: plaraway@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

 

Michael joined Connecting Carers in October 2018 and is the Office and Finance Administrator and Receptionist. Michael says, "my job involves a lot of paperwork, figures, data keeping, all of it necessary, and lots of customer service.  No day is the same. I can be called on to undertake any number of differing tasks, even unusual ones! In addition “every day is a school day”. There is always something new to learn".
 
"Outside office life I am a family man with four boys, only one left at home, and a steadily growing extended family of their partners and children. So kept quite busy. My other massive obsession is music".

You can reach Michael on 01463 723575 or email: mwatson@connectingcarers.org.uk
 

Stuart joined the Connecting Carers team in July 2019 and is the first point of contact for unpaid carers accessing the service. He co-ordinates referrals as well as directly supporting carers to manage their caring role.

Stuart became a Dad in October 2018 and enjoys all the fun and excitement that brings.  He's a sports fanatic and loves watching most sports, especially football and American football. Stuart is also a qualified football referee and uses this as his motivation to try and keep fit! 

You can contact Stuart on 01463 723567 or 07950 794424, or by email: srandall@connectingcarers.org.uk