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.
Lorraine Nelson
Manager
lorraine@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full-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.
Allison McWhirter
Administration and Finance Coordinator
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.
Vicki Kitson
Information and development Worker
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.
Karen Anderson
Information & development Worker
karen@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full-time: Monday – Friday
About Karen:
Karen is one of the Information and Development Support Workers, providing information, advice and emotional support to carers and supports them in any way she can. Karens background is in Dementia care, with over 15 years experience and has worked in East Renfrewshire for over 15 years, within the local community and also in a 24 hour care setting.
She enjoys walking, music, eating out and spending time with her family in her free time.
Farah Maiza
Volunteer Coordinator
farah@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Part-Time
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.
Abbie Dunbar
Young Carers Team Co-ordinator
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.
Ashleigh Cloy
Young Carers Worker
ashleigh@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full-time: Monday – Friday
Ashleigh has a background in psychology and has previous experience in supporting vulnerable people.
Ashleigh is one of the Young Carers Worker, part of this role includes supporting young carers individually and in groups and providing emotional support.
Andrew Larkin
Young Carers Worker
andrew@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Part-time
I am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Blue belt, I keep myself fit with running and weightlifting. I also enjoy reading, preferably history books although I enjoy all sorts. I have two cats; Pancake and Duchess. I am a reflective and resourceful practitioner. I am a student of Psychology with Philosophy at the school of Psychology and Neuroscience at Glasgow University.
Tracy Plunkett
Information & Development Worker
tracy@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full-time: Monday to Friday
About Tracy:
I have over 15 years’ experience working directly with carers, young carers and their families. I am passionate about championing carers’ rights and connecting them to the resources they need. With a human rights focus and a commitment to empowering individuals I work in partnership with others to achieve the best outcomes. I bring a resourceful and compassionate approach, tapping into both local and national networks to identify and connect people with the right support.
I have extensive knowledge of Self-Directed Support and I am a qualified Community Broker ensuring carers have access to the information and resources they need to support themselves and their loved ones.
I live locally and appreciate the opportunity to support those in my local community. I have two daughters who I am very proud of and who keep me busy and enjoy reading as much as I can.
Michelle Robertson
Self Directed Support Advisor
michelle@eastrenfrewshirecarers.co.uk
Full-time: Monday to Friday
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 and Shared Care Scotland 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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