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

Mary-Denise McKernan - Manager

I manage all aspects of the day-to-day operations of Carers of West Lothian.  This includes management of the provision of our core services to Carers, core administrative services and project developments.  I work closely with Carers of West Lothian Management Committee and Staff, and partnership agencies, to ensure the delivery of a quality support service for Carers in West Lothian.

I have been in post since May 2000, during which time the organisation has achieved substantial strategic developments.  I look forward to the next three years and beyond, where we will focus on consolidating these developments, strengthening the service we provide to Carers.

Annmarie Keast - Depute Manager

I have been with Carers of West Lothian since August 2003.  I started as a Carer Support Worker and took up post as Outreach Development Worker in April '04, working with GP practices to identify and support "hidden carers".

I was appointed Depute Manager on 1st April '05 and have overall responsibility for carer support as well as the day to day running of the Carers of West Lothian Carers Centre.  I also have a lead role in recruiting and supporting our volunteers.  If anyone is interested in volunteering for Carers of West Lothian they should contact me on 01506 771750 for further information.

Victoria Clarke - Administrator and Office Support Worker

In post since August 2003 as Administrator working alongside Mary-Denise at the Strathbrock Centre office, I also took over the Office Support Worker post in December and now combine the two jobs.  I do the publishing work for the quarterly newsletter and design other publications for Carers of West Lothian as well as the accounts, web updates and general office duties.  I am an Arts Graduate and have run my own business working within the Arts field in the Lothian area and previously to this in Aberdeenshire.  Having been a Carer at one time, I have some understanding of the difficulties and frustrations facing Carers and recognise the benefits derived from an organisation such as Carers of West Lothian.

Jim Brown - Carer Support Worker

Keith Lugton - Carers Support Worker (pre hospital discharge)

I joined CoWL in 2008 as a Support Worker and I am based in St Johns Hospital, Livingston and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  My role is to support and give advice to carers who will be caring for an individual when they return home from hospital.

As a student my main interest was sport and I studied Sport and Exercise Science to degree level at Cheltenham. I became involved in social care as a residential care worker where I qualified with SVQ Level III in Care.  I have also worked as a Support Worker with the Community Rehabilitation Service in Edinburgh.  Areas of interest include stroke rehabilitation, physiotherapy exercises and falls prevention advice.  I am also very pleased and excited to be involved in supporting the carers of patients as they are preparing for discharge from hospital.

Wilma Philpot - Young Carers Development Worker

I am the Young Carers Development Worker.  You might not see me around Strathbrock much, as I am based out in Bathgate with the Youth Strategy team.  Before I came to work here, I was a Worker in Pilton Youth and Childrens Project for 2 1/2 years and previously I was a Young Carers Worker in Falkirk and Stirling.

I very much enjoy the challenge of developing the Young Carers work and meeting all the Young Carers.

Xanthe Dalziel-Carruthers - Young Carers Support Worker

I joined West Lothian Young Carers Partnership in June 2007. I came from West Lothian Council as a Family Support Worker, but most of my work experience (13 yrs) has been in residential schools for children with Social, Emotional & Behavioural Difficulties. In between, I gained a degree in Education from Moray House in 2005. I'm married with one child. From my work experience and education I hope I can provide the help, advice and support that Young Carers deserve.

Yvonne Macdonald - Administrator

I joined Carers of West Lothian and volunteered for them for 4 years and in April 2009 I started working part-time as an Administrator. I have experience of caring for a family member with Multiple Sclerosis and I am a carer for my daughter, who has Down's Syndrome. I also have a husband and 2 other teenage children. I enjoyed the flexibility of volunteering, but now that the children are a bit older and my daughter is gaining in independence it is exciting to get back to paid employment and use my experience as a carer, as well as my pre-amily office experience to help other carers in West Lothian.