Ceartas Staff Members:
There is no formal pathway into Advocacy work, or the Information Work, Peer Support and other roles that staff members carry out within Ceartas. The staff team comes from a diverse range of previous employment, and has a wide range of skills and experience.
What the staff team do have in common is empathy and compassion, respect for other people, an understanding of human rights, and being thrawn enough to do something about putting wrongs to right.
Ceartas tries its hardest to look after its staff, the organisation is a ‘Positive About Disabled People’ employer, a ‘See Me’ Pledge signatory, and has been awarded the gold Healthy Working Lives Award.
Aileen originally joined Ceartas in 2015, but left in late 2016 on maternity leave. The team were delighted to welcome Aileen back to her role as Advocacy Worker when she returned 2020, & the fact this was during the COVID pandemic made her return even more exciting – great to have you back Aileen!
Alex has been with Ceartas since April 2016, she works across the whole range of advocacy activities, supporting people to make choices and have their rights upheld and their preferences respected.
Eleanor joined us in June 2022 as our new Fundraising and Finance Assistant. Her responsibilities include various financial and administrative duties, as well as assisting and supporting the team in all aspects of fundraising – in funder research, applications, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. She also designs and conducts research within the community for fundraising purposes. Eleanor has an academic background in Social Sciences, and previously worked as a fundraiser in the Highlands of Scotland before moving down to Glasgow.
My name is Jacqueline, but I answer to most things including Jac. I have worked as an advocate in East Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and Glasgow prior to joining the team at Ceartas at the beginning of this year. As an advocate I am privileged to work with lots of different people to achieve their best outcomes. Providing person centred advocacy in varied situations people may find themselves involved in. If I can’t help you, I will endeavour to find someone who can. I am focussed on positives. Principles of Advocacy The equal value of all people. The importance of choice and mutual respect. The development of skills and abilities which encourage equal opportunities Inclusion in society. The independence of advocacy partnerships. Accessibility of advocacy.
James joined Ceartas in October 2022, having previously finished his Master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. James works across a variety of advocacy activities, supporting individuals to ensure that their rights are upheld, and their views are heard. Outside of work, James plays basketball competitively and enjoys discovering new wines – something which he has a qualification in!
Kenny joined the Ceartas team back in January 2021 – a new face for the New Year! It’s Kenny’s role to get people involved with Ceartas and other local services through a range of exciting activities. When he’s not doing that, you’ll find him on the tennis court or doing something creative.
Lynne started with Ceartas in May 2022 as a group facilitator to set up and develop our new peer support group. A Bite & A Blether is a collaboration between East Dunbartonshire Citizens Advice Bureau to help reduce social isolation and loneliness and enhance mental health and wellbeing. Previously Lynne worked within health and social care.
Michelle supports the De Cafés and all the peer-support dementia groups, as well as providing dementia information and referrals to other services .
Muleya joined Ceartas in October 2021 in the role of Advocacy Lead. She has 12 years’ experience as an advocacy worker and thinks of herself as a human rights defender, for people of all walks of life. Muleya enjoys recycling and re-using to save the planet (and to find a bargain, of course).
Patricia started work for Ceartas in 2005 on a temporary basis – she’s still here! Patricia is in charge of finance, payroll and admin for Ceartas.
Having worked at Ceartas since late 2015, Ronnie changed roles in late 2021 and is now responsible for development of OPAL: East Dunbartonshire Information Line, and laterally the East Dunbartonshire Asset Map.
Sharon has been with Ceartas for over 15 years, starting off as an Advocacy Worker and now in charge of the day-to-day running of the service. Outside of work, Sharon loves reading crime fiction, and is an avid book blogger.
Susie joined Ceartas in 2007, she is an Advocacy Worker with a background in Social Work. Susie supports people to have their choices respected, their rights upheld, and their views heard.