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.

Sarah Kerr, Communications 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.

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.

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. 

Lynda Jack, Support Worker and 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. Lynda also works at the Golspie Village Hub and provides support to some of our Caring For the Carer service users.

Theresa Cowie, Support Worker – Hubs

Theresa works alongside our Hub Project Lead, providing support to Hub members.

Pamela Teska, Delivery Driver – Dinner To Your Door

Pamela is a delivery driver for our fresh meal delivery service, Dinner To Your Door.

Kareen Mcconnach, Office Administrator

Kareen has been working with Connecting Communities in various capacities for a number of years. She is the first point for visitors to the office and carries out the administration for our Dinner To Your Door service.