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 Kalache
MBE MANAGER
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 Johnstone
Admin/Psychotherapist
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 secretary, admin/finance officer and is still involved in the youth work. Lynn has a BSc degree in Applied Social Science, SVQ level 3 in working with offending behaviour, Introduction to youth work, certificates in mediation, first aid, food hygiene, cognitive behaviour modules such as drugs & alcohol & self-harm and Counselling Skills awarded by COSCA. Lynn is continuing her CPD with The Spark in Glasgow to gain a Masters in Psychotherapy. Lynn also likes to swim & has two young children & numerous pets.

Karen Poppleton
Senior Youth Worker
Karen started with MAYDS early 2013 as bank staff. Karen also worked as a social care worker for Argyll & Bute council. Karen previously 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. Karen has completed a number of courses including first aid, Move It essentials Child Protection and Food Hygiene. Karen has three children and numerous pets.
Hannah Nicolson
Sessional Youth Worker

Hannah started volunteering with MAYDS in 2018. Hannah has 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.

Susie MacLennan
Sessional youth worker
Susie joined MAYDS in 2014, she has three children and is a qualified hairdresser. Susie is one of our team of sessional youth workers and has attended training in Child Protection and Legal Highs, first aid and food hygiene. Susie has a dog called Maisie, who has become her fourth child. Susie loves to go to the theatre and enjoys trips away.

Caroline Smith
Youth Worker
Caroline became a p/t youth worker in 2012. Caroline works full time as a member of the community mental health team. Caroline has attended child protection training and is trained in first aid, food hygiene, personnel safety. Caroline is a keen Kickboxer & also does Karate, she is currently working towards her Yellow belt.
Andrea Fisher
Sessional Youth Worker

Andrea started working with MAYDS in 2016. Andrea brings with her a wealth of experience as her day job is ASN at the local primary school. Andrea has a degree in fine art, SVQ 3 IN Childcare and has carried out child protection, food hygiene as well as many other certificated short courses. Andrea likes to walk and is really keen on Zumba
Neil Parkinson
Sessional Youth Worker

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 organises concerts & gigs for the young people to participate in. Neil is also a musician in his own right, gigging with his band whenever possible.

Sarah Nicolson
Sessional Youth Worker
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.
Eve Maxwell
Dance


Trish Collins
Sessional Youth Worker
Eve is MAYDS's dance class instructor, starting October 2018. Eve has a keen interest in music, singing and dance and is hoping to study at The Royal college of music or The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Rachael Murdoch
Volunteer Youth Worker
Rachael is a young volunteer who started with MAYDS in 2015. Rachael has completed her first aid, fire warden and safeguarding children certificates and has also attended other training through her college course. Rachael also works at a local pre school nursery as a nursery assistant.

Mark Johnstone
Volunteer
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.
Aidan Kerr
Volunteer
Aidan has been volunteering with MAYDS since 2017. Aidan helps out on a Friday night at our Ardrishaig Drop-In. Aidan attends LJS and is keen to get involved and help out in any way he can.

Jacky Preece
Chairwoman
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.

Mark Middleton
Board Member

Pasqua Faccenda
Volunteer/Board member
Mark has lived in Mid Argyll for twenty years, is married and with 3 teenage children. Mark's current occupation is a Risk and Health & Safety manager for the NHS. Marks interests are cycling, sailing and kayaking.

Peter Hogbin
Board Member
Peter has been on the board of MAYDS for a number of years, his roles have included chairman. Peter has a background in business, once having his own farm and I.T. company. Peter is involved in a number of community projects and initiatives and though retired is always keen to help out bring his expertise to the table.
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 and first aid and also Book Bug training. Pasqua has two children who both attend a number of MAYDS groups and trips.

Raymond Flanagan
Board Member
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.
Marie joined MAYDS in 2017. Marie has worked at a local Pre School for a number of years and is very experienced. Marie has attended numerous courses in relation to working with children and young people and is keen to further her career with youth work.