Connecting Communities
Senior Management Team
Mary-Anne Ross, Office and Finance Manager
Mary-Anne joined Connecting Communities as Office Manager in 2015. She also works at Helmsdale Primary School and as a mobile hairdresser. She grew up in Edinburgh, but moved north with her family when she was young, and now lives in Helmsdale. Mary-Anne manages the charity’s finances, ensures the smooth running of the office and .
Sarah Kerr, Development Manager
Sarah is originally from the Isle of Wight and began working for the dementia cause in 2008 when she joined Alzheimer’s Disease International in London. After some chance meetings with Ann Pascoe and a move to the Highlands in 2013, she became a part of the team as an Administrator. After promotion to Communications Manager, Sarah is now the charity’s Development Manager and is responsible for fundraising, governance and communications.
Circle of Support team
Wendy Simmonds, Project Lead for Helmsdale, Golspie and Rogart Village Hubs
Wendy is originally from Nairn and was a retail manageress before moving to Brora. She has an SVQ3 in Health and Social Care and has previously volunteered as an adult literacy tutor and for HUGS Action for Mental Health. Wendy has also enjoyed tutoring creative writing classes at community learning centres. Wendy lives with her husband Stuart and their two dogs, Max and Holly. In her spare time she enjoys Tai Chi, dog walking, writing and singing.
Sandra Mackenzie, Hub Support Worker (Rogart)
Sandra has been working alongside our Hub Project Lead at Rogart Village Hub. She provides the wonderful food at every Tuesday’s session.
Margaret Sutherland, Hub Support Worker (Helmsdale)
Margaret has been working for us since 2018 and, in 2024, joined the Hub team where she helps out in the kitchen on a Friday.
Anne Little, Art ‘n Blether Tutor
Anne joined us in April 2017 and runs our Art ‘n Blether classes. Originally from Calverton in Nottinghamshire, Anne now lives in Helmsdale and is a landscape artist.
Michelle Johnston, Project Lead and Cook – Dinner To Your Door
Michelle is local to Helmsdale, having lived in the village for most of her life. Michelle initially started with us as our Delivery Driver but moved to the role of Dinner To Your Door Cook when the vacancy became available in October 2017. Michelle is an excellent home cook who also enjoys baking.
Margaret Sutherland, Assistant Cook – Dinner To Your Door
Margaret helps Michelle in our Dinner To Your Door kitchen and also provides cover as cook when required. Margaret also supports our Here to Help service and Helmsdale Village Hub.
Justine Clark, Delivery Driver – Dinner To Your Door
Justine joined the Dinner To Your Door team in 2025 and has been a welcome addition. Justine’s existing connections in both Brora and Helmsdale helped to give her a smooth transition into the role.
Ian Jack, Relief Delivery Driver – Dinner To Your Door
Although he retired in 2025, Ian has continued to stay on as our Relief Delivery Driver for our Dinner To Your Door service, providing cover for staff holidays and illness.
Lynda Jack, Delivery Driver – Dinner To Your Door
Lynda began working for Connecting Communities as a Hub Support Worker. During the COVID-19 pandemic she took on the role of Delivery Driver for Dinner To Your Door.
Pamela Teska, Delivery Driver – Dinner To Your Door
Pamela has been a delivery driver for our fresh meal delivery service since 2021. Pamela can usually be found doing out longer route to Brora, Golspie and Dornoch later in the week.
Terry Rudman, Office Administrator
Terry joined the team in 2025 and works in the office in Helmsdale Monday to Thursday. Terry handles the administration for our Dinner To Your Door service, with some additional admin too.
Andrew Button, Here to Help Support Worker
Andrew joined Here to Help in September 2024, providing support to clients in Golspie, Brora and Dornoch.
Louise Campbell, Here to Help Support Worker
Following a period working in our office, Louise joined the Here to Help team in 2025 and provides support to clients in and around the Helmsdale area.
Kerensa Carr, Here to Help Support Worker
Kerensa is based in Dornoch and joined the team in 2025. She provides support to clients in the Dornoch area.
Ian Fling, Here to Help Support Worker
Ian joined the Here to Help team in 2025 after Melvich and Strath Halladale were added to the area in which we deliver the service.
Lynda Jack, Here to Help Support Worker
As well as working with the Dinner To Your Door team, Lynda also supports some of our Here to Help clients with attending appointments.
Angela Kerr, Here to Help Support Worker
Angela joined the Here to Help team in 2025 and supports clients in Helmsdale.
Adrian Knight, Here to Help Support Worker
Adrian joined the team in Autumn 2024 and provides support to clients in Brora and Golspie.
Marigold Lewis, Here to Help Support Worker
Marigold has worked alongside us for a few years now, firstly as a Support Worker for Sutherland Home Care and since April 2024 she has supported Here to Help clients in Dornoch.
Lisa Macdonald, Here to Help Support Worker
Lisa has been a part of team since 2024 and supports Here to Help clients in Helmsdale.
Catherine Stewart, Here to Help Support Worker
Since 2024, Catherine has worked with the Here to Help team, supporting clients in Brora.
Margaret Sutherland, Here to Help Support Worker
As well as her role with Dinner To Your Door and Helmsdale Village Hub, Margaret also provides some support to clients in Helmsdale through our Here to Help service.
Nicola Wilson, Here to Help Support Worker
Nicki joined us in 2025 to provide support through our Here to Help service to clients in Brora.
Racheal Taylor, Helmsdale Youth Club
Racheal joined the team in September 2024 when we introduced Helmsdale Youth Club. Racheal coordinates the Youth Club sessions.
Leonnie Keith, Helmsdale Youth Club
Leonnie also joined us in September 2024 when we established Helmsdale Youth Club. Leonnie, a local parent, helps to run the Youth Club.
Terri Rapson, Helmsdale Youth Club
Terri is also a local parent and has worked with the Youth Club team since the club was started in September 2024.
Our Fair Work Policy
Dementia Friendly Communities Ltd (known as Connecting Communities) is committed to advancing the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Policy. For more information on Fair Work First visit the Scottish Government website.
