Meet the Board, Staff & Volunteers

This is some of our team, who play a vital role in the running of Mid Argyll Youth Development Services. Without everybody's help and involvement MAYDS would struggle to meet the needs of the young people throughout Mid Argyll. All our staff & volunteers have been through the PVG scheme to ensure their suitability to work with young people.  MAYDS runs a volunteer program which encourages anyone and everyone to get involved, without barriers to ability, age, experience, etc..

Fiona has worked for MAYDS since 2008. Her position as Manager means she deals in all aspects of running MAYDS from staffing, funding, monitoring and evaluation, policies & procedures, finance etc.. Fiona has BA degree in Health & Welfare and a Masters in Health & Wellbeing. Fiona has certificates in Child protection, ABI's, SHARE training, COSCA Counselling Skills and Drug & Alcohol awareness to name a few. Fiona is a keen swimmer and has three children.

Lynn also joined MAYDS in 2008, initially as a part-time youth worker. Since then Lynn's role has changed and she now works as MAYDS Admin and Counsellor. Lynn has a BSc degree in Applied Social Science, SVQ level 3 in working with offending behaviour and 2021 achieving her Diploma in Counselling awarded by The Spark/COSCA. Lynn is continuing her CPD to gain further counselling knowledge and skills.

Lynn also likes to swim, walk & has two young children & numerous pets.

Karen started with MAYDS early 2013 as bank staff, she previously worked as a social care worker for Argyll & Bute council.  

Karen helped out at the young parents group as well as working at a number of the other youth groups.

Karen was promoted to Senior Youth Worker in 2018 and has completed a number of courses including First Aid, Child Protection, Understanding Autism, and Makaton Level 1- 4. 

Karen has three children and 2 dogs. 

Sarah started volunteering for MAYDS in 2012. Sarah is now a sessional youth worker and an active member of the Youth Forum. Sarah completed college in June 2018 and would like to have a career in child care. Sarah has completed First Aid, Fire Warden, Food Hygiene, Internet Safety and Youth Bank training. Sarah enjoys horse riding and spending time with her friends.

Joanne has recently joined the MAYDS team in January 2021 to undertake the role of Young Carers Support Worker and will work with Young Carers in Mid Argyll and Islay.

Joanne will also work as a sessional youth worker at our drop in youth sessions.

Joanne has previously worked as a Young Carers Worker and has a vast amount of knowledge in working with young people. She has recently completed Child Protection training and Understanding Autism. 

Joanne enjoys walking and generally being outdoors but does love a good box set too! She like crafts, in particular putting together a scrap book of days out and memories and also likes to colour to unwind.

Hannah started volunteering with MAYDS in 2018 and is now a sessional youth worker. Hannah followed in her sisters footsteps and joined MAYDS as soon as she was old enough. Hannah completed her Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work with the council early 2020 and has taken over the role of the co-ordinator of MAYDS Young Parents Support Group.

Hannah has also completed Child Protection and Makaton training and works with Mayds ASN group for children who have Additional Support Needs.

Neil starting working at MAYDS in 2018, where his role is to run J.A.M. - Just About Music, which is on every Wednesday evening, teaching everything from writing to recording to editing & playing. Alongside this Neil will organise concerts & gigs for the young people to participate in. Neil is also a musician in his own right, gigging with his band whenever possible. 

Heather has recently joined the MAYDS team in 2021. Heather has a vast amount of experience in working with the public with Police Scotland. Heather was keen to use her knowledge to work in the community, engaging with young people and be able to sign post them to specific services if they need it. 

Heather also enjoys walking no matter what the weather is!

Mina joined our team in October 2021. Mina has previous experience of youth work and worked in an Additional Support Needs school in London. Mina also works in Residential Care for the Elderly. Mina is looking forward to getting back into youth work again and putting her knowledge and experience to good use!

Mark was employed by MAYDS as a part time 

caretaker/handyman/emergency call out  in 2011. Mark left MAYDS employment in 2016 to focus on his business as a  welder/blacksmith. Mark is also a tutor at Argyll College, teaching Skills for Work. Keen to still help out he has taken on the role of volunteer with MAYDS. Mark has completed first aid training.

Isla has just recently began volunteering for MAYDS in May 2021. Isla regularly helps every Saturday at our Young Carers group, she enjoys interacting and helping others and is always keen to gain new experience.

Isla enjoys music and plays the Harp.

Jacky started volunteering with MAYDS in 2016. Since then Jacky has helped out on trips and supported us in various other ways. Jacky was co-opted onto the board in 2018 and became Chairwoman later that year. Jacky also helps out with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and Scouts. Jacky has four children and is a self-employed landscape gardener. Jacky is a keen athlete who likes to cycle, run marathons & ultra marathons.

Raymond has been with MAYDS from the beginning, currently serving on the board. Raymond is retired he was previously employed by the council as a CLD worker for youth services. Raymond previously helped run an annual summer camp for hard to reach young people in the Possil park area of Glasgow, the camp had been running for over 30 years. Raymond also ran the local youth forum and is a keen golfer.

Pasqua has been volunteering with MAYDS for a number of years. Pasqua helps out at the young parents group. Pasqua is also a member of our board, helping to shape and ensure the future of MAYDS. Pasqua has attended both Child Protection training, First Aid and Book Bug training. Pasqua has two children, one of whom is now a volunteer with MAYDS.

Zandra joined the board recently in 2021

Jean has been with Mayds since 2018. She has worked in childcare for over 30 yrs, set up Neighbourhood Nursery in Oxford and managed other settings. Jean, originally from Lochgilphead, came back home in 2005 and managed her own local nursery business for 13 yrs. She now works for the Council with the Early Years Team promoting good practice and outdoor play and is also a Therapeutic Play Specialist.

Jean also has 2 children aged 14 and 19 yrs old, in her limited spare time she enjoys walking with her dog.

Stuart joined the board in 2020, he was keen to get involved with the skatepark aspect of the development project. Stuart brings with him his experience as a parent, a former foster carer, a support worker and from academic study in social work.