New Staff – Izzy

Isabel Lean is one of  HELPP’s Development Worker’s

 

Hi everyone!!  I started with the project as a Development Worker on the 21^st July 2008, but have been involved with HELPP over the years through my role as a qualified Fitness Instructor.

 

The staff have made me feel very welcome and I feel as if I have worked here all of my life, the whole 21 years!! Well a woman can dream can’t she!!  I previously worked for Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network and Midlothian Council’s Regeneration Development Team on various projects and have experience of Youth Work and working with Adults and Older People.  I am on the board for both Y2K and Mayfield & Easthouses Development Trust, as well as being actively involved with Newbattle High School on their Parent Council. 

 

My work with HELPP will involve the implementation and running of eight week courses for a Men’s Health Group, WWHAM (Woodburn Women’s Health and Motivation Group), Mayfield Community Health Action Group, Mayfield Walker’s Group and Glencourse Soldiers Wives Group.  I am looking forward to meeting lots of new people and showing them the benefits that a healthier lifestyle can bring, both physically and mentally.

 

I can be contacted on 0131 660 5055 or by emailing Isabel@helpp.org.uk  

Changes

There have been some changes at HELPP recently:

Project Manager: Kenny Richardson who has turned the project round and helped HELPP towards the goal of independence has now. Kenny’s role will be taken over by Andrew Gardiner. Andrew is no stranger to HELPP and has been one of the project’s staunchest supporters at Midlothian Council.

Development Worker: Rob Wannerton has left HELPP to move to London. Rob has been a great help in reinvigorating the project in Woodburn and Mayfield. We’d like to welcome Isabel Lean to the team: Isabel will be taking over Rob’s work but also delivering some of our new projects and programmes including the forthcoming men’s health course.

Information Worker: I’m (Tom) leaving after a fantastic year with HELPP. I’ve had a great time developing the website and providing (all sorts!) of support for the staff and HELPP’s groups. I’ll really miss everyone! But every cloud and all that: Linda Sneddon (who has been concentrating on Choose Life recently) is returning as part time information worker.

Sarah Aitken: Sarah, one of our development workers, is now working part time. She’s still very active with our groups in Penicuik and Bonnyrigg and has recently being working tirelessly to get our new community cafe in Penicuik’s Ladywood Centre up and running.

HELPP Staff: Laura

Laura Adamson is one of HELPP’s Development Workers:

“I am one of the Development Worker’s and have been with HELPP for just over a year and a half. Before joining HELPP I worked for six years with Midlothian Sure Start as Project Co-ordinator of the Hand In Hand Centre in Woodburn. I have worked in the Midlothian area for many year (no, I am not telling you my age!) and have found it both rewarding and ‘challenging.’

I am also a Youth worker as was involved in the setting up of the Youth 2000/Y2K Project in Mayfield. I am currently working in the Gorebridge area doing ’street work’ with the young people and this has brought many positive outcomes.

I was previously a board member for Y2K and HomeLink and I am currently on the board of the Gorebridge Community Development Trust.

My work with HELPP involves working with the Grandparents Parenting Again and Kinship Carer’s Group and the WHO Group (Women’s Health Organisation in Gorebridge). I have been involved in the last two year’s International Women’s Day events. I am currently implementing eight week courses for young people at the GO Project in Gorebridge and for the elderly at St David’s Day Care Centre in Newtongrange.”

Laura can be contacted on 0131 660 5055 or by email: laura@helpp.org.uk

HELPP Staff Part 3 – Yvonne

Yvonne Taylor is HELPP’s Project Adminstrator and our financial guru:

“I’ve been with HELPP for 18 months having previously been a Personal Advisor with Leith JobCentre. I’ve recently finished a diploma in finance which included manual book keeping, manual PAYE, SAGE, SAGE payroll and final accounts.

“I provide administrative support to HELPP staff – and the occasional joke. My duties include:

• Reception, dealing with enquiries, taking bookings for the meeting room etc.
• General Office Procedures: Updating database, staff records ie holidays, toil, sick records and filing.
• Setting up system to ensure that all sessional staff have the relevant qualifications, clearances and insurance.
• Accounts: Recording all money in and out, preparing invoices for payments, sending out payments, entering all cash transaction on Quicken system (our accounting system at the moment!), managing and maintaining petty cash and reconciling bank account.
• Budgets: Designing and preparing specific budgets for each area in line with the Business Plan and preparing monthly accounts and budgets for staff, project manager, management committee and MVA board.
• Big Lottery Fund: Preparing accounting information in line with Big Lottery Fund guidelines.
• And any other duties as directed by the project manager. And making the tea.

“I see my role changing quite a bit when HELPP becomes independent. I have already begun to identify the procedures that will need to be changed (e.g changing bank account signatories, payment of salaries etc).

“I have recently become a director of the Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust and I am doing board member training at the moment. This can only help me, and others, when HELPP makes the transition to independence.”

You can get in touch with Yvonne at yvonne@helpp.org.uk.