Our Team
We care about your mental health. Our team are non-judgmental, good listeners and great motivators – and perhaps most important of all, they have a shared, genuine desire to change our service users’ lives for the better. Their hard work and dedication is our organisation’s strength.
Chairperson & Founder, Strontian
My name is Malcolm Gillespie.
More information about them coming soon.
RR Vice Chairperson & Founder, Strontian
My name is Rosie Gillespie.
More information about them coming soon.
Operations & Development Manager, Glenborradale
My name is Carol Thomas.
Carol joined the team following a move to the area in May 2023 to take over the leadership of Ewen’s Room's ongoing development, funding, and expansion of services. Carol’s role is to lead the administration of the organisation, including PR and liaising with external organisations and agencies to meet legal and funder requirements; and to develop a new forward plan and funded framework.
Carol has substantial experience in operational management having previously worked as a Chief Operating Officer for Derby Cathedral and many other operational and project-based roles. She enjoys working with others and creating a collaborative team.
Carol has a PVG disclosure.
ln her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, one main reason for moving to the area! Open-water swimming, walking, and gardening are her real passions in life!
Education Projects Co-ordinator, Ballachulish
My name is Anna McBride.
Anna creates and leads our education programmes.
She is a Family Support Worker at Thriving Families and prior to what she currently does, she worked as a Secondary History and Additional Support Needs Teacher. She enjoys engaging with young people creatively and became involved in setting up and delivering Social Enterprise activities, through the charity she is a founder and CEO of, Kinlochlovin'. This introduced her to the world of the third sector and ignited her passion for social change. She recognises the importance and value of community in trying to build resilience in this fast-changing and complicated world. She is a certified childrens therapist and a GTCS registered teacher. She holds a Masters in Inclusive Practice and a Postgraduate Play Therapy Diploma.
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Anna has a PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and is the proud parent of two adopted children, exploring the outdoors, making a mess with arts and crafts, and watching films in front of the fire.
Education Officer, Strontian
My name is Helen Tait.
Helen delivers our education programmes, primarily working with the schools and communities on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. She runs the Bookbug Sessions with Ewen’s Room and Stories by the Fire. Plus, she runs the Open Doors service in Strontian.
Helen is the School and Community Library Supervisor at Ardnamurchan Library. She was previously a Civil Engineer. She enjoys working with children of all ages and supporting them with their mental resilience, education, and mental fitness.
Helen has a PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, reading, and open-water swimming.
Education & Policies Officer, Wales
My name is Emily Thompson.
Emily delivers our education programmes, creates all of our policies, and helps with our funding applications, and reports. She runs the WBC Mentoring programme remotely. Plus, she runs Ewen’s Zoom service and manages the EwenMe Befriending service.
Emily has a focus on programme development, online support, and mentoring. She has experience in mentoring and supporting young people and adults at risk. She is a qualified Primary/Nurture teacher and Forest School Leader.
Emily has a PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her two dogs, walking, listening to live music, and going on trips to amazing places!
Education Officer, Kinlochleven
My name is Ilona Lawson.
Ilona delivers our education programmes. Plus, she runs the Open Doors service in Kinlochleven.
Ilona is a drama worker, writer, and theatremaker. She has lived in Kinlochleven for 25 years. Ilona is passionate about using arts and theatre as a way to explore mental health, express challenging feelings and perceptions, and as a way to create lifelong passions that help in our resilience. Ilona has toured her commissioned plays on eating disorders, body image, alcohol, depression, self-harm, and suicide, to most secondary high schools in the Highlands. Her work has also been featured at several conferences around Scotland and England. Ilona has a particular passion for working with teenagers and has been running Lochaber Youth Theatre for over 20 years.
Ilona has a PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Education Officer, Mallaig
My name is Jennifer (Jenny) Willens.
Jenny delivers our education programmes. Plus, she runs the Open Doors service in Mallaig and helps her husband with running our Rugby Training in Mallaig.
Jenny comes from a background in Criminology and Policing. She most recently served as a youth worker and previously volunteered with Victim Support Scotland for several years due to her passion for victims' rights.
Jenny has a PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys exploring new walks with her two canine besties and spending time with her family.
Education Officer, Spean Bridge
My name is Isabel Savage.
Isabel delivers our education programmes. Plus, she runs the Open Doors service in Fort William and our Whatever The Weather Walks in Spean Bridge.
Isabel comes from a background in Music Education, teaching various music courses in both primary and secondary schools, and is passionate about passing on the gift of playing a musical instrument to others.
Isabel has a PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Education Assistant, Acharacle
My name is Henry Hodges.
Henry runs our FriendsDay Wednesday service in Acharacle.
He is a qualified Modern Languages teacher.
Henry has a PVG disclosure.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing rugby and spending time with his family.
Schools & Community Counsellor (25 & Under), Mallaig
My name is Margot MacDonald.
Margot offers school and community counselling through us. Plus, she runs the Open Doors service in Arisaig.
Margot has more than 20 years of experience with a variety of people in a wide range of environments, these include Education, Community, Youth Justice, and Mental Health Services. She has qualifications in HG.Dip.P., Dip Person-Centred Counselling, NLP, Diploma Holistic Therapies and Stress Management. She has an interest in Hypnotherapy.
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Margot has an enhanced PVG disclosure.
In her spare time, she enjoys beach combing, films, crafts, and coffee.
