	CARERS of WEST LOTHIAN Providing Support, Information and a Voice for Carers in West Lothian

WHO's WHO IN CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN

Volunteers - Board, Management Committee, Advisors & Other Volunteers

Board of Directors (Trustees):: Paul Weddell (Chair), Barbara McKenzie (Vice Chair), Jim Stevenson (Treasurer), John Aitken (Company Secretary), Hugh MacRae, Barbara Strachan and Lyn Aitken.
Management Committee:: Paul Weddell (Chair), Barbara McKenzie (Vice Chair), Jim Stevenson (Treasurer), John Aitken (Company Secretary), Hugh MacRae, Lyn Aitken and Barbara Strachan.
Advisors to the Management Committee:: Cllr Alex Davidson, Ann Forrester (Braid House), Ronnie Barnes (WLC) and Julie Cassidy (NHS Lothian)
Volunteers:: Val Eaglesham, Molly Hamilton, Mary Chambers, Ann Bruce, Irene Hall and Dave McGillivray.

Paul Weddell - Chair

I have been a carer for about 25 years, my wife suffers from M.S. and has been in wheelchair for about 16 years and my youngest daughter was cerebral palsied at birth and needs total care.

As a family we have an excellent care package which, despite my caring role, allows me to pursue my various interests. I am a member of the Public Partnership Forum and also chair West Lothian's Learning Disability forum.

I love sport and music and, amongst other things, I am involved in running the West Lothian based No Limits sports club for disabled children and young people.

Barbara McKenzie - Vice Chair

Barbara was appointed Vice Chair in June 2006. She has experience of working for Education, the NHS, the Voluntary Sector and for Local Government:- trained and worked originally as a biology and science teacher, later, following break to bring up family, worked in occupational therapy and nursing departments of a large psychiatric hospital then worked for some years as a principal development officer for the vocational rehabilitation section of a national mental health voluntary organisation.

Latterly worked for West Lothian Council as a development officer with Community Services, where one of her responsibilities was to provide support and advice to Carers of West Lothian. In this capacity Barbara has been closely involved with the organisation since its early days of meeting in people's houses.

Now retired, her time is partly spent walking dogs, gardening and helping her elderly mother.

Hugh MacRae

I was born and brought up in a poor area of Leith around the time of the Second World War. I was the only member of my family to go to university and, on graduating, I took a teaching post in Edinburgh. In 1963, I went overseas with my young family where I spent the next twenty-odd years on a variety of educational projects in Third World countries, mainly working with the British Council. On returning to Scotland I continued to teach until my retirement when I moved with my wife to West Lothian.

Since my childhood I have been involved with caring in one form of another, and I remain particularly concerned with issues involving vulnerable adults. I am a representative from West Lothian to the Scottish Older Persons Advisory Group and a delegate to the UK Group where, under the umbrella of Better Government for Older People, I am able to raise these and other concerns about ageing on a national level.

I hope to get involved with the work of West Lothian Carers in whatever capacity I can make use of my time, skills and experience.

John Aitken - Company Secretary

John Aitken became Treasurer of Carers of West Lothian in 1999 and helped to restructure financial systems and the accounts to meet the growing needs of the organisation until 2006. He helped with incorporation as a Company Limited by Guarantee and was Company Secretary from 2003 to 2007. He served on the Management Committee, Policy (as chair), Publicity & Publications and IT Sub-Committees and now supports the website and database applications.

John takes an active part in the Linlithgow Union Canal Society. He runs a small Internet services company and was formerly treasurer of the ARK Housing Linlithgow Project Committee.

Lyn Aitken

Advisors:

Cllr. Alex Davidson
(West Lothian Council)

Ann Forrester
(Braid House)

Ronnie Barnes
(West Lothian Council)

Julie Cassidy
(NHS Lothian)

Volunteers:

Val Eaglesham

Being a carer myself, I understand how lonely that position can sometimes be. Now that things are a bit easier for me, I felt I would like to become involved with an organisation which really cares for carers, and in so many practical and emotional ways. I know from experience how much a phone call means - "How are you doing?" - just a short chat and it can help a carer feel like a "real person" again.

Molly Hamilton

I retired eight years ago from the civil service after twenty-two years. At this time I had intended to do some part time work, however I was unable to take on another job as my mother was diagnosed as having dementia. I became my mother's carer for approximately five years. As her condition worsened she eventually had to go into residential care. I was not aware of Carers of West Lothian until after my mother went into care and I am very happy to be involved in this kind of volunteer work. So far I have helped with administration work at the Strathbroch Centre and have also visited Linlithgow Health Centre as part of the Outreach team. I am looking forward to speaking to carers across West Lothian and offering them the services Carers of West Lothian provides.





Dave McGillivray

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Staff Members