Our Story
East Renfrewshire Carers Centre was formed in 2001 by a group of local volunteers who wanted to improve information, advice and support to carers and young carers.
Since this date we have continued to work with East Renfrewshire Council and have established the Carers’ Centre as the main voluntary sector service specialising solely in supporting carers and young carers.
The Centre is governed by a Board of volunteers who oversee all governance of the charity and have the responsibility for managing and supporting the staff and volunteers of the Centre.
Our dedicated staff team provide a high quality service providing a range of emotional and practical supports to carers as they face the many challenges and difficulties that often come with caring responsibilities
Our Team
We’re a small team of eleven based primarily in our office in Giffnock as well as throughout East Renfrewshire in the community.
The Centre consists of two Co-Managers, the Adult Carers team, the Young Carers team as well as sessional staff.
If you’re interested in joining us at the Centre click below to check for any current vacancies on GoodMoves.
Claire Caird
Co-Manager
07561683049
claire@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Part time: Monday – Friday
Claire Caird is one of the Co-Managers at the Carers Centre. She has worked here since 2010 and previously at another Carers Centre for seven years. Claire has also worked with adults with learning difficulties, autistic children and prior to that, with Glasgow City libraries. Her very first job was in a bank which only lasted a week! Counting money was not her strong point!
Claire describes meeting carers as the most rewarding part of her job and is often in awe of the strength and resilience that she continuously witnesses. The most important part of the role for Claire, alongside supporting staff, is listening to carers and trying her hardest to provide the support they need.
Vicki Kitson
Information and development Worker
07964 859932
vicki@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Vicki is one of the Information and Development Support Workers, primarily supporting carer’s of people living with dementia. Providing information and advice, income maximisation and emotional support where she can.
Vicki is also a mum of two teenage boys and is kept busy chasing homework and footballs. She enjoys spending quality time with friends and family. She also enjoys reading, cooking and walking and has recently joined a local gym.
Lorraine Nelson
Co-Manager
07561683094
lorraine@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Part time: Monday – Friday
Lorraine is our Co-Manager alongside Claire. She provides information, advice and offers emotional support to carers and tries to support in any way she can.
Lorraine is a mum of two girls and is kept busy all the time. She enjoys getting out and about with her family and friends and ensuring quality time and fun with them is a priority. One of her hobbies is lawn bowls and she is a member of a local club. Lorraine tries to keep physically and mentally active and enjoys running when she gets the chance.
Kevin Dailly
Young Carer’s Coordinator & Educational Worker
07752833756
kevin@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Kevin’s role involves raising awareness of young carers in schools through speaking at assemblies, delivering PSHE lessons, working closely with school staff to support existing young carers and identifying hidden young carers. Meeting with young carers in school is also a key part of his job. Kevin’s role also involves raising awareness of the Young Carers Statement in East Renfrewshire which every young carer is entitled to.
Outside of work his hobbies are going to the gym, playing football and going to gigs!
Bushra Sharif
BAME Carers Information and Development Worker
07548490344
bushra@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Bushra is one of the information and development workers and primarily works with BAME carers. Her aim is to provide advice, information and emotional support to the BAME carers and help make them aware of the support and services available to them.
Bushra enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, rowing and paddle boarding.
Allison McWhirter
Administration and Finance Coordinator
07599622011
allison@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Allison is our Admin & Finance Coordinator at the Carers Centre and has worked here since 2003. Allison supports the team and keeps them right! and ensures the bills are paid on time.
Danielle Henderson
Short Breaks Development Worker
07838018607
danielle@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Danielle is the Short Breaks Development Worker. A short break looks different for every individual. Danielle will be researching what opportunities are out there for short breaks and explore the benefits a short break can provide for carers.
Abbie Dunbar
Young Carers Support Worker
07561683082
abbie@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Abbie has a background in education, and has done a lot of work and research in complex learning needs.
As part of her job, Abbie provides information, advice, and individual/group support to young people with a caring role.
Farah Maiza
Volunteer Coordinator
07467070169
farah@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Part Time: Monday – Friday
Farah is the volunteer coordinator of the Dementia Walking Buddy project. This consists of providing a one-to-one volunteer support for individuals living with dementia to attend health and wellbeing walks. This not only benefits the person living with dementia, but also gives the carer some time to themselves.
Farah’s role is to recruit volunteers, organise training, and provide ongoing support.
Outside of work Farah enjoys cooking, watching historical movies and travelling.
Amber Sharif
Digital, Information, and Development Worker
07759911677
amber@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full time: Monday – Friday
Amber is in charge of all things digital for the ERCC. Keeping carers and the community up to date with regular newsletters and social media posts! Amber is also a development worker for adult carers, ensuring they get the right support they need.
In her spare time, Amber is an avid traveller, and loves learning about new cultures, particularly food and music!
Our Awards and Funders
The Centre Board, staff and service users are all very grateful for the financial and practical assistance provided by our funders and supporters below.
The majority of the funding we receive is from East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, which is itself a partnership with the local authority, East Renfrewshire Council, and the area health board, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
BBC Children in Need, Shared Care Scotland and The Robertson Trust also significantly contribute to our operations.
Carer Positive
Exemplary Employer
Carer Positive Award
We’re proud to have been recognised as a Carer Positive employer at the ‘Exemplary’ level. This means we’ve put measures in place to support unpaid carers working at the Centre.
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Scottish Charity Regulator
Registered Charity
Registered Charity
As with all charities in Scotland we are registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Our charity number is SC033142, based at Sandler’s Cottage, No 2 Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock.
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