	CARERS of WEST LOTHIAN Providing Support, Information and a 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), Hugh MacRae (Acting Treasurer) and, Lyn Aitken (Company Secretary)
Management Committee:: Paul Weddell (Chair), Barbara McKenzie (Vice Chair), Hugh MacRae (Acting Treasurer) and Lyn Aitken
Advisors to the Management Committee:: Cllr Alex Davidson, Anne Glencourse (Acredale House), Graham Whitelaw (WLC) and Doreen Trainor (NHS Lothian)
Volunteers:: John Aitken, Val Eaglesham, Molly Hamilton, Ann Haughie, Yvonne Macdonald, Dave McGillivray and Ron Raymond

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 - Acting Treasurer

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.

Lyn Aitken - Company Secretary

Advisors:

Cllr. Alex Davidson
(West Lothian Council)

Ann Glencourse
(Acredale House)

Graham Whitelaw
(West Lothian Council)

Doreen Trainor
(NHS Lothian)

Volunteers:

John Aitken

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.

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.

Ann Haughie

I worked for Carers of West Lothian as a part-time Outreach Support Worker from April 2004 until February 2006, after an earlier period as a volunteer. Before that, I worked for 14 years in West Lothian initially as divisional co-ordinator for Under Fives. I am a qualified Social Worker and gained experience with a variety of client groups with several different local authorities within Scotland and England.


Yvonne Macdonald
	At the end of August 2005 I joined Carers of West Lothian as a volunteer and straight away I have enjoyed being involved in an Office Away Day, the Newsletter distribution, a training course and database input. I have three children and care for my thirteen year old daughter who has Down's Syndrome. My mother has had multiple sclerosis for thirty years, and while my father has been the main carer, I am aware of many of the issues surrounding caring in this situation. My family commitments mean that employment needs to be flexible and volunteering seems to fit the bill. Over the years I have been extremely grateful to the many volunteers who have helped out my family and I hope that I can use my caring experience, as well as my pre-family office experience to help other carers in West Lothian.

Dave McGillivray


Ron Raymond
	Born in 1936. My passion has been the Royal Navy, which I first joined after leaving school. I completed three years boy's service and nine years man service, the latter seven years being in the submarine service, in communications. After the Royal Navy I completed nearly twelve years as a prison officer at Winchester in Hampshire, leaving to bring my wife and family back to Scotland. I then worked as a quality controller and in management. My last twelve years before retiring at 60 was spent working for the Bank of Scotland. One of my interests is the submariners association and has been for eleven years, I have been on the committee and served twice as chairman, which I still am. I have spent seven years since my retirement as a full-time carer for my wife. After her loss I wanted something else to do to help close the void in my life and decided to look into volunteering with Carers of West Lothian who I joined in November 2004. I enjoy very much the variety of work with them and of course the company.

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