Meet the Team

Director of Care, Policy and Communication
Elaine has worked in Health and Social Care for over 25 years. During that time, she has managed HMO Properties, Care at Home, and Support Services for mature Adults and Adults with Learning Disabilities and Additional Needs.

Before working with Adults, she worked for 10 years in Special Educational Needs, supporting Nursery, Primary, and Secondary school-aged Children.

Elaine was Seconded-Out of the Service for almost two years to support all Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership Care Providers as Independent Sector Lead, Scottish Care, she found this role extremely Beneficial and made Numerous Key Links with various Partners.

Her other key focus is developing and empowering almost 100 of her employees.

She Excels in Developing Service Policies and has a Hands-On Service Delivery that is responsive to the needs of its Service Users, including their Desire to “Live their Lives as They Want to”. In addition to her impressive list of qualifications, Elaine is also a Licensed Crisis Prevention Trainer and uses British Sign Language.

Elaine enjoys developing Stranraer Skills Station into a service that is Responsive to the Needs of Others to ensure everyone can live the life they want to as Independently as Possible, with a High Standard of Care at all Times.

Her interests Outside of Work include Short Breaks with her husband (John), Listening to Music, Holidays, and Creating Memories with her Friends and Family.

Fun questions

• What is your hidden talent? – “I play the Cello“
• What is the longest and best flight that you have taken? – “Los Angeles“
• What is the best concert that you have attended? – “Bon Jovi at the O2 in London“
• What celebrity would you rate as your perfect ten? – “Gerard Butler“
• What is the best place you visited and enjoyed a mojito? – “Little Havana in Miami“
• What is your favourite telephone message you receive? – “Fancy going out for Dinner“

Director of Human Resources, Finance and Facilities
Gillian joined forces with a colleague, Elaine McCourtney, to establish the Stranraer Skills Station in July 2010, having Worked Together for several years before Collaborating on the Creation of Stranraer Skills Station.

Gillian has worked in Education and Management roles in Health and Social Care. She is proud to have Developed Services and expanded the Company from Caring at One Property to Caring at Seven Properties within Stranraer and the surrounding areas.

Her vision was to not only provide First-Class Care and Support to the More Vulnerable Members of the Community but also to Create almost 100 New Jobs in their local area of high unemployment and she is now recognised as not only a Professional Business Manager but a Valued Community Leader.

Fun questions

• What would you name your boat if you owned one? – “The Sun Seeker“
• What did you want to be as a youngster when you grew up? – “An Air Hostess” (I loved the Uniforms)
• What is your hidden talent? – ” I am a great Mixologist“
• What song makes you cry? – “Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” from the movie “Titanic“.  I cry when I remember the old couple, cuddling in bed, as the ship sinks!”
• What is the best concert you have attended? – “Robbie Williams at Glasgow’s Barrowlands in 1997“
• You are 20 years old again; which period of history would you like to live in? – “Redo the 1970s“

Registered Manager

A qualified Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Anne enjoyed several years as a Service Coordinator in both the West of Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway regions.

Stranraer Skills Station noted Her Enthusiasm, Attention to Detail, and Caring Disposition, and they eventually managed to Secure her Services in 2016 when she joined as Team Leader.

Three years later, a Further Promotion to the Senior Management role of Operations Manager for Care and Support at Home and Adults with Additional and Complex Needs; she truly is a Vital Cog in the Wheel in the Stranraer outfit.

Success and Self-Development continue with qualifications in Health and Social Care Leadership and Management Level 4; Safe Handling of Medicines; Dementia; Principles of End of Life Care; Manual Handling; Train the Trainer: Licensed Crisis Prevention Trainer.

Originally from Ireland, before moving to Glasgow, she gained a Bachelor of Arts at University, where Annie also met her husband, Christopher; they now live in Stranraer with their two daughters.

Fun questions

• Name your six fantasy dinner guests? – “Stephen Fry, Billy Connolly, Graham Norton, Miriam Margolyes, Kevin Bridges, and Adele“
• Which fashion trend should be brought back? – “1980′ Leg Warmers“
• Besides war and diplomacy, what would be the best way for countries to settle disputes? – “Let the women sort it out“
• What is the best concert that you have attended? – “Prince in London“
• What is the weirdest food you have eaten? – “Alligator and Zebra“
• What is your favourite movie of all time? – “Gone with the Wind“

Operations Manager for Care and Support at Home and Day Care Hubs & Services

Fiona has been employed with Stranraer Skills Station for five years, starting as a Social Care Assistant and she quickly advanced to Company Administrator/Medication Officer.

Further promotions followed to the Office Manager/Welfare Officer and Human Resources Manager posts before progressing to Operations Manager in 2023.

Since working for the company, she has Undertaken Additional Training to support her roles, including Level 3 Certificate in The Safe Handling of Medication; Dementia Care; Parkinson’s Awareness; SVQ 3 in Health and Social Care; Mental Health Awareness for Managers; Health and Wellbeing for Managers; Risk Assessment Training; Fiona also has an HND in Administration and Information Management.

Fiona has become a vital part of the Senior Management Team and enjoys her work, as every day brings up New Challenges and Opportunities with “no two days being the same”.

She lives with her two sons, her cats and the dog, Luna; her interests include Going on Long Walks with her Dog, Listening to Music and Attending as many Live Gigs as possible, Reading and Socialising with my Family and Friends.

Fun questions

• What is your favourite personal activity, when work is over? – “Walking my dog, Luna“
• Where is the best place you have visited, to enjoy a mojito? – “The Gold Coast of Australia“
• What is the best concert/event that you have attended? – “Biffy Clyro at Glasgow Green“
• What celebrity would you rate as a perfect 10? – “Jensen Ackles“
• What is your favorite telephone message you receive? – “Your Tea’s in the Oven for you Coming Home“
• Name you six fantasy dinner guests? – “Jenson Ackles, Dave Grohl, Ozzy Osborne, Lemmy Kilmister, Jane McDonald and Lorraine Kelly“

Operations Manager for Housing Support & Adults with Additional and Complex Needs

Originally from Castle Douglas, Jack met his partner, Lilli, whilst working in Gatehouse of Fleet and moved to Stranraer in 2018.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he changed from working in the then-ravaged Hospitality Industry to Care and Support, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Jack began working within Care at Home with mostly Older Adults and soon moved on to working with Adults with Additional and Complex Needs.

He started within Care at Home as a Social Care Assistant and, after successfully completing his HNC, became a Social Care Practitioner.  Such is his upward trajectory, Jack only served in this role for six months before being appointed Team Leader in November 2023.

Fun questions

• What is your favourite telephone message you receive? – “Pint?“
• Name your six Fantasy Dinner Guests? – “The Spice Girls and Gary Busey“
• Where is the best place to enjoy a mojito? – “Down the Beach in Portpatrick“
• What is the weirdest food you have eaten? – “My girlfriend made an experimental vegan banana cake that was green, oozing, and chewy“
• What fashion trend needs to be brought back? – “Heelies; fashionable and trendy“
• What is the longest and best flight you have taken? – “Reykjavik to Toronto“

Operations Manager for Quality Management and Health & Safety

Thomas has successfully served in a Senior Executive capacity in Operational Management, Regional Management and General Management positions, where his strengths enabled him to achieve and exceed his goals within the Hospitality and Care Industries.

Hospitality experience in businesses ranging from five-star boutique hotels, large corporate-conference city centre units, and £18m new-build hotels for companies such as Stakis, Swallow, Hilton, and Inter-Continental Hotels.

Care experience ranges from regional control of 15 care homes for BUPA Care to the new building and opening of a £25m retirement village for Audley Care.

Started three years ago working as a Consultant to Skills Station, Thomas was asked to join the Team in 2023.

Fun questions

• What is your favourite song? – “Je Suis Malade”, Lara Fabian”
• Where is the best place you have visited to enjoy a mojito? – “The Betsy Hotel on South Beach, Miami”
• What is the best concert/event that you have attended? – “Prince and the Revolution – Lovesexy Tour”
• Name your six fantasy dinner guests? – “Billy Connolly, Stephen Fry, Lara Fabian, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Elon Musk”
• Which celebrity would you rate as a perfect “10”? – “Michelle Keegan or Princess Catherine”

Team Leader for Housing Support & Adults with Additional and Complex Needs

Karen has worked in Care for over 25 years, working with the Elderly in the Community to Working in Care Homes, but her passion is Learning Disabilities and has been for the last 15 years.

She has been with Stranraer Skills Station for almost a year, and I’m looking forward to many future years.

Karen has three grown-up children and a grandchild, who are part of her world, and she loves to spend lots of time with them.  In her spare time, she tries to spend as much time with her friends as possible, going on unforgettable holidays and generally having fun and socialising.

Fun questions

• What celebrity would you rate as a perfect 10? – “Tom Hardy“
• Name your six fantasy dinner guests – “Tom Hardy, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Eminem“
• You are 20 years old again, which period in history would you like to live? – “1970’s and 1980’s“
• What is the best concert/event that you have attended? – “Ed Sheeran“
• What is your favourite movie of all time? – “Polar Express“
• What song makes you cry? – “Snow Patrol, Chasing Cars”

Team Leader for Care at Home

Katherine worked in Food Production Planning and Logistics, then Health and Safety within the Food Industry for almost thirty years.

After that career path had run its course, she decided to work within the Care Industry in 2016, and the rest, they say, is history.  Katherine now feels that she has found her ideal job, but it is a job she loves doing each day.

Every day is different, and she loves getting to know the people she cares for at their most vulnerable times, but she also likes to think that at the end of the day, she has Made Someone Smile.

Fun questions

• Name your six Fantasy Dinner Guests? – “Antonio Banderas, Nelson Mandela, Tina Turner, Emily Pankhurst, Martin Luther King, Morgan Freeman“
• What would you name your boat if you had one? – “Bitte Treiben”
• You are 20 years old again, in which period in history would you like to live? – “The Swinging Sixties“
• What is the best concert/event that you have attended? – “The Rocky Horror Show“
• What is your favourite movie of all time? – “The Exorcist“
• Which workers have the most difficult jobs? – “Sewage Workers“

Team Leader for Housing Support & Adults with Additional and Complex Needs

Katie was born in Newcastle and moved to Stranraer over twenty-five years ago when she started working in the Social Care Sector.
Skills Station has employed her in her current location for the last nine years, and she has worked her way up from being a Support Worker to a Team Leader.

She has a real passion for Engaging with People and Promoting Independence and enjoys helping find and organising New Experiences!
Outside work, she likes to Cook, go on Road Trips, and have New Adventures in addition to attending Music Concerts and has seen at least One Hundred. (The list is still growing).

Katie has Two Huskies with whom she loves Walking in the Evenings; they always find a way to get dirty, keeping her on her toes.

She always tries her best to be Approachable and Honest and often sees the Silver Lining and the Funny Side of Life.

Fun questions

• What is the weirdest food you have eaten? – “Crocodile, Kangaroo, Zebra, and Squirrel“
• What would you make illegal if you had the power? – “People who block the isle in a Supermarket just to chat“
• Which celebrity would you rate as a perfect ten? – “Jared Leno“
• Name your six fantasy dinner guests? – “Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Winston Churchill, Catt Williams, Cleopatra, and an Old Norse Viking“
• As a youngster, what did you want to be when you grew up? – “A Flight Attendant“; I love to travel.
• What is your favourite movie of all time? – “The Dark Crystal”, a fantasy directed by Jim Henson.

Team Leader for Day Care Services

Born in Stonehouse as the oldest of four girls, to a Doctor (Father) and Teacher (mother), Lynne moved to Kenilworth in England at the age of eight years old, returning to Scotland six years later.

She gained numerous secretarial and administrative qualifications and worked as a Personal Assistant for several years before moving into Social Care working for Dumfries and Galloway Council, Key Community Supports and Turning Point Scotland.

Lynne has been employed at Stranraer Skills Station since 2020 initially as Office Manager and was recently promoted to Team Leader at our newly opened “The Garrick” Day Care Hub. Married to Brian for nearly 40 years and raising daughter, Nicola, they now enjoy the blessings of two grandchildren Struan and Maisie.

Lynne enjoys all genres of music, craft activities, reading and “family time”.

Fun questions

• What is the favourite telephone message you receive? “On our way”
• What is your hidden talent? “I can wiggle my ears”
• Which celebrity would you rate as a perfect 10? “Pierce Brosnan”
• What is your favourite movie of all time? “The Kings Speech”
• What fashion trend needs to be brought back? “Afghan Coats”
• Besides War and Diplomacy, what would be the best way for countries to settle disputes? “Talk to their Mothers”

Team Leader & Care Coordinator for Housing Support and Adults with Additional and Complex Needs

Mary-Ellen was born in Stranraer and lived here all her life, whilst furthering her education at university she started to work as a Home Care Support Worker and found this to be her passion.

She was employed by Stranraer Skills Station over nine years now and in this time, she has worked in several positions, including Administrator, Senior Care Worker, Coordinator for the Care at Home and now Team Leader & Coordinator at Housing Support & Adults with Additional and Complex Needs.

Mary-Ellen enjoys the challenges that come with the position and knowing that every day can be different with new opportunities and tasks to face. She enjoys balancing the support and ensuring that this runs smoothly for all, a vital role within our service.

Outside work, she likes to spend time with her husband and their children, often taking days away and short holidays when possible.
Fun questions

• What is your favourite personal activity when work is over? “Drinking Wine”
• What is your favourite telephone message you receive? “Let’s book that holiday”
• What is your favourite movie of all time? “Dirty Dancing”
• What is the best concert or event that you have attended? “Creamfields Festival”
• What is the best place you have visited to enjoy a mojito? “Ibiza”
• What is the weirdest food you have eaten? “Battered and deep-fried Mars Bar”

Team Leader & Care Coordinator for Care and Support at Home and Day Care Hubs and Services

Margaret is local to the Stranraer area, educated locally, and is happily married with one son and two grandsons. She spent over 20 years as the “well kent face” behind the reception desk at the local Health Centre, where she started as Administration Support. As her skills developed, her professional journey led her into a clinical role as a Health Care Support Worker in the Chronic Disease Clinics, where she managed blood pressure, performed spirometry and venipunctures, provided house calls to elderly, housebound patients, and performed phlebotomy.

In 2021, Margaret decided to add to her Clinical Skills by taking a Health Care Support Worker role in Day Surgery and Theatre at the local Hospital. Margaret entered the care sector in 2007 as an additional job and has never looked back, working with Stranraer Skills Station. She began working as a Care Practitioner in 2021 and was promoted to the role of Care Coordinator, where I was quite frequently found working “on the floor” with the other members of the Team. Margaret’s main goals have always included honesty, approachability, and respect for everyone.

She honestly loves her job, stating, “It’s a privilege to provide care and support people to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible in their own homes”.

Away from work, she loves to spend time with the family, taking road trips with my husband (though these days not too keen on his driving), I do love a sunshine holiday and a cheeky weekend away.
Fun questions

• As a youngster what did you want to be when you grew up? “A Nurse”
• Which celebrity would you rate as the perfect 10? “James Martin”
• Which song makes you cry? “Highland Cathedral on the Bagpipes”
• What is your favourite song? “Island in the Stream” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
• What would you name your boat if you had one? “Seas the Day”
• What is your favourite personal activity when work is over? “The Chase”, “A Place in the Sun”, “Bubble Bath” then “Bed”

Team Leader for Housing Support & Adults with Additional and Complex Needs

Rheanna, originally from Cumbernauld, moved to Stranraer 12 years ago and has worked with Skills Station for the last four years, including a Recent Promotion to the position of Team Leader, after initially working within the Care and Support Service. Rheanna has also completed her HNC in Social Care.

Rheanna has worked in Social Care for over 12 years and looks forward to having More Responsibility and being More Integral to her Service Users’ Outcomes and Skills Development.

Home life is based around her Partner and Two Sons, not to mention her Long Walks in the woods or on the beach with her dogs (plenty of room to run around and chase birds).

She also appreciates Live Music of any genre and Live Comedy.

Fun questions

• What is your favourite telephone message you received? – “My sister video-called me to show me that my new niece had arrived a week early“
• What song makes you cry? – “Linkin Park, One More Light”
• What is the best concert/event that you have attended? – “I saw Aerosmith, Linkin Park, Metallica, Black Sabbath and Avenged Sevenfold at Download, and they were all amazing“
• What would you make illegal if you had the powers? – “Egg and Mayonnaise Sandwiches“
• What would you name your boat if you had one? – “For Sale”
• Where is the best place you have visited, to enjoy a mojito? – “My Honeymoon in Mallorca“

Senior Team Leader for Day Care Services

Lee left home at 16 years of age to join the Royal Navy.

After years of loyal service, he moved into retail with management positions at the House of Fraser and Asda in Plymouth.
Following a brief, three-year sojourn in Mons, Belgium, working for NATO, Lee returned to the UK, where he met his wife and former Wren, Cristina, an artist from Moldova.

A return to his town of birth, Stranraer saw him join Skills Station, with whom he gained promotion to the current Team Leaders position, where he was responsible for both Corsewall and The Shorefront Social Hubs.

He has been blessed with one granddaughter, and another one is on the way!

Fun Questions

• Which celebrity would you rate as a perfect 10? – “Debbie Harry (Blondie)“
• Where is the best place that you have visited to enjoy a mojito? – “Kilimanjaro“
• Which fashion trend needs to be brought back? – “Oxford Bags“
• What is your favourite song? – “Korgis, Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime”
• What is your hidden talent? – “I make up Jokes from Words“
• Name your six Fantasy Dinner Guests? – “Paul Young, Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews), Debbie Harry, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Michael Barrymore“