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Our team is comprised of genuinely gifted minds

Rachel Keenan
Manager

Rachel Keenan

I have been working with Home-Start Stirling for 10 years as Manager of the organisation.

I have been working with Home-Start Stirling for 10 years as Manager of the organisation. My job is to oversee all the services delivered by Home-Start Stirling, bring in the money we need, support the staff to deliver the best possible services we can and work in partnership with the Board of Trustee to lead the direction of the organisation. Having been with Home-Start Stirling for so long now I have be able to see first-hand the real impact that the support of our volunteers make with families, it is amazing to watch them grow and develop over the time that we support them.
Diana Small
Family Support Coordinator (VIG)

Diana Small

I have been working as a Family Support Coordinator with Home-Start Stirling since the start of lockdown - so I'm learning quickly in the midst of a very dynamic environment.

I have been working as a Family Support Coordinator with Home-Start Stirling since the start of lockdown - so I'm learning quickly in the midst of a very dynamic environment. It has been a pleasure to get to know my families and to get out at last and see folk in their own homes and gardens. I have specific responsibility for working with families using Video Interactive Guidance - a relationship-based intervention promoting attunement and wellbeing.
Before becoming part of the staff team, I was a volunteer with Stirling Home-Start while on the staff team at Falkirk Home-Start as Group Worker. Prior to this, I was a Jo Jingles teacher working in nurseries and running private music and movement classes.
In each setting it has been a privilege to come alongside families as they seek to give their children the best possible start in life.
Barbara McElhinney
Family and Volunteer Coordinator

Barbara McElhinney

I started with Home Start in 2008 as a volunteer and then became a family coordinator in 2015. I was also a group worker for 3 years from 2009-12.

I started with Home Start in 2008 as a volunteer and then became a family coordinator in 2015. I was also a group worker for 3 years from 2009-12. I LOVE my job and working with so many different and diverse families. It is a privilege to be invited into their homes to support mums and dads on their parenting journeys. My role involves (amongst other things) doing initial visits with families and then matching them with suitable support which is often a home visiting volunteer. I also review these families and am there to guide and support their volunteer. I have a small case load of my own which can involve weekly visits and attending various meetings including child protection ones. I am now also the volunteer coordinator and I am passionate about supporting all our volunteers as well as possible. Without you we could not operate and having been a volunteer myself I believe I am well placed to understand most of the issues that may arise.
Family Support Worker

Ruth Banning

I started my journey with Home-Start Stirling as a volunteer and was very interested in joining the staff team.

I started my journey with Home-Start Stirling as a volunteer and was very interested in joining the staff team. My background is in early years and I really wanted to do a job where I could make a real difference to families. I joined the staff team in 2018 as Group Coordinator and I am responsible for facilitating our weekly Play Club and the Pathways Group. I also do some direct family work with some of Home-Start’s families that have complex needs.
I am currently off on maternity leave and I intend to return in roughly in July/August 2021 and I will be delighted to meet all of our new volunteers then.
Administrator

Maureen Scobie

I have worked as Administrator at Home Start Stirling for nearly seven years. My job is mostly storing accurate information, including financial, making payments and sending invoices.

I have worked as Administrator at Home Start Stirling for nearly seven years. My job is mostly storing accurate information, including financial, making payments and sending invoices. In addition, have a catering background, so I like to be involved with organising of the food and drinks at our groups and events. This allows me a little communication with the families which I feel is important. During my seven years I have learned a lot through my colleagues and our volunteers about the types of support we offer to the families and how we improve their parenting skills or support them during a difficult time in their lives. I really feel that Home Start Stirling is a worthwhile charity offering a wide range of supports that includes our volunteer and group supports, our events and working alongside other organisations in order to give the most appropriate support to the families.
Group Coordinator

Kim Levey

Having initially volunteered with Home-Start Stirling for over a year, I have recently started working as a Family Support Worker covering a maternity leave post.

Having initially volunteered with Home-Start Stirling for over a year, I have recently started working as a Family Support Worker covering a maternity leave post. My background is in adult mental health and I have always enjoyed helping and supporting others. My role mainly involves providing friendship, emotional support and practical help to families and I really enjoy working alongside families, together looking at ways that Home-Start can support them to make a positive difference to their lives.