Staff Members
Lynn Hughes: Manager
I started in the Centre in January 1999 as a Clerical Assistant; through sponsorship from the Centre I completed my Aromatherapy and Reiki, which led to the promoted post of Admin/project support worker in March 2000. I then went on to, in March 2001, gained further promotion to the post of Assistant Project Manager where a large part of my work entailed the day to day management of finances and organising client activity and delivering services, both in-house and on an outreach basis. In January 2004, with the start of the Youth Stress Centre and new administrator in post, my role changed once again. Handing the management of the day to day finances over to the Administrator and providing a line management role for the Youth Stress Centre staff. I also continue to play a major role in the development and delivery of core services.
Karen Guthrie: Assistant Manager
I joined Castlemilk Stress Centre in 2003 as Senior Project Worker to the Choose Life Project. I have worked in beauty & complimentary therapies for many years. My career has involved working on cruise lines, teaching in further education colleges and training therapists for a leading aromatherapy skin care company.
After completing a psychology degree I worked on an adult literacy project with people affected by homelessness. This experience was an invaluable learning curve and my first introduction to working in the voluntary sector.
I took up my current post following a time based at the Substance Misuse Team of East Renfrewshire CHCP. My role there supported local developments in relation to alcohol. It is a pleasure working at the stress centre as I believe strongly in the work we do here. It is wonderful to see so many people benefit from the services we provide.
In my spare time I enjoy swimming, travelling and spending time with my young daughter.
Ann Mercer: Administrator
I have worked in various community projects in Castlemilk over the past 15 years and was employed by Healthy Castlemilk as an admin/info worker when the original funding was secured for the Stress Centre. It was then my role to arrange appointments for clients and I became very interested in alternative therapies and gained my qualifications in Aromatherapy in 1995 and Reiki in 2000. I was previously employed by the Stress Centre as a Sessional Worker and now, since January 2004, have secured the position as full time Administrator.
I lived in Castlemilk for 48 years but now stay in Cathcart. I am married have two children and two grandchildren, who I enjoy spending my time with.
Audrey Hughes: Clerical Assistant
I first started in the Stress Centre as the cleaner; I have since undertaken a new role as Clerical Assistant 2000, which I enjoy very much. I have also done quite a bit of training since being involved in the Centre, Stress Management Workshop, Mental Health Training and I have also completed my Reiki Training I&II. Out with the project I have three children whom I enjoy spending my time with.
Anne Ibrahim: Therapist
I started working at the Stress Centre several years ago as a sessional worker; I also had the opportunity to cover Michelle Roderickson’s post as project worker, for four months which I found very challenging and good experience.
I now work 17½ hours at the Stress Centre as a therapist. My job involves carrying out therapies such as Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Reiki. I did my Reiki training, Stress Management and Relaxation Skills all at the Stress Centre, I have also had the opportunity to take part in the STEPS course at the Stress Centre.
Hannah Brown: Project Worker Castlemilk Stress Centre
Hello,I am Hannah and I am a project worker at the Castlemilk Stress Centre. I deliver therapies such as aromatherapy and reflexology at the stress centre and also on an outreach basis. I really enjoyed completing my Reiki training at the Stress Centre and I now offer this as a therapy to clients. I will also be out and about in the community giving stress management and relaxation classes to groups and promoting our services.
Linda McDonald: Senior Project Worker Castlemilk Youth Stress Centre
I first started working part-time at Castlemilk Stress Centre in October 2002, as part-time Project Worker/Therapist. As that post came to an end, I decided to apply for the post of Senior Project Worker Castlemilk Youth Stress Centre. I really enjoy my job as it allows me to combine my skills in admin (which is my background) and in alternative therapies.
On a personal level I enjoy reading/learning about mind, body and spirit stuff, and playing the piano (I’m just learning!)
Ruth Brennan: Project Worker Castlemilk Youth Stress Centre
When I finished my HND Beauty Therapy course, which included Complementary Therapies, I started working in the Stress Centre as a sessional worker about 8 years ago! (Long time eh) working with both adults and young people. The Youth Stress Centre secured funding for a further 5 years enabling the centre to take on 2 new staff and I was one of them! I worked with another local organisation working with young people for 3 years before I got the fulltime post here.
I’m really enjoying my job, working with different young people with different backgrounds and different age groups, it’s very rewarding. Working with the Stress Centre is a good opportunity for me to develop on a personal level too.
In my spare time I enjoy going to the sports centre and participate in fitness classes.
Maureen McCormick: Project Worker Castlemilk Youth Stress Centre
I am a single parent with three children. I started working at the Stress Centre as a sessional therapist in December 2002. My duties involved cover for staff holidays, out reach work etc, and often involved working with young people.
In January 2004 funding was secured for a separate Youth Stress Centre and I am now contracted to work 17.5 hrs per week for the Youth Stress Centre. I am enjoying this position very much so far and hope to develop both the project and personally during the initial three year funding period.
Barbara Williams:
Project Worker Yoga Castlemilk Youth Stress Centre
My Career began in IT developing my skills through various posts over 20 years. After having my family I decided to study Health and Yoga by doing various courses, including the British Wheel of Yoga Childrens Course. For the last five years I have worked for myself covering a variety of yoga classes. I started doing sessional work with Castlemilk Stress Centre in 2004 covering various Yoga Classes within the Nurseries and Schools in the area. In April, 2007 I started in a new position of Part-Time Project Worker for the ‘Youth Area’ of Castlemilk Stress Centre. My main focus will be to deliver Yoga Classes in the transitional stages for children. (Nursery and Primary 7 age-groups) I feel very lucky to work for an organisation that offers such a variety of therapies with the aim of helping others to enjoy and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
On a personal level, I enjoy practicing yoga and am interested in all the holistic therapies, I feed my interest through reading, participating, and attending workshops. I am registered with Yoga Scotland as a Yoga Teacher and enjoy attending the On-Going Training Days. My two children are called Fraser and Heather, aged 11 years and 9 years. We all like to swim regularly and travel, finances allowing!
May Allan: Senior Project Worker Castlemilk Stress Centre
I joined Castlemilk Stress Centre in April 2004 as a sessional worker.I was given the position of Project Worker with the Choose Life Project in October 2004. I am really enjoying my work and find it very rewarding.
I studied Holistic Therapies at JamesWattCollege and completed this in June 2002, I continued to study at college and completed the Stress Management diploma in June 2003. I then took the COSCA counselling skills course and completed this in December 2004. I hope to continue studying soon.
I live in Johnstone with my three sons, Barry Ross and Mark. I also work part time hairdressing for a faithful regular clientele.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, cooking, going to the gym and swimming.
Deborah McGregor: Work Development Co-ordinator – Mental Health – South East Glasgow
I joined the Stress Centre in March 2006. The Work Development Co-ordinator is a new role and overseen by Greater Glasgow NHS. It is a role which I feel extremely positive about and the Stress Centre is a wonderful base from which to work.
My background is Research Psychology and prior to working at the Stress Centre I worked with individuals with learning disabilities and mental health problems.
I am currently studying counselling – part-time at Strathclyde University and Professional Relaxation Therapy. The Work Co-ordinator role enables me to utilise all my previous work and personal experience.
I practice Martial Arts which keeps my mind, body and soul in a ‘good place’!