Dr Elspeth Salter

Centre Head and Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Maggie's Fife

It was a joy to come to work for Maggie’s in 2006. I spent the first five years at Maggie's Edinburgh, working as Clinical Psychologist and then with great excitement mixed with a sense of great responsibility moved to the post of Centre Head at Maggie's Fife in 2011. Maggie’s accepting, normalising and uplifting ethos is quite unique and precious. The opportunity each day to witness and encourage resilience in difficult times is truly remarkable as is the support people find the strength to offer each other over our kitchen table.

Since graduating from St Andrews University I have worked in both the NHS and voluntary sector, particularly specialising in services supporting older people and people affected by cancer. Professionally I have always strived to provide approachable expertise – Psychology with a human face. In Maggie’s Fife this continues to be my daily aim supported by a fantastic team of staff and volunteers.

Lorna McGoldrick

Information Support Specialist (Psychology), Maggie's Fife

I enjoy working together with very skilled, experienced and caring individuals, who like me, truly believe that people can be supported and empowered to live well with this awful disease.

My working career started in acute haematology, caring for people with cancers of the blood, as well as general blood disorders. I then became a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Specialist Palliative Care. In this role I worked for a time in the Fife community Specialist Palliative Care team and then the acute hospital setting of the Western Hospital, Edinburgh. My interests within Specialist Palliative Care involved cancer pain management and supporting the patient in distress.

I recently studied for a certificate in counselling, and I am currently studying for a diploma in Gestalt psychotherapy.

Anne Foster

Benefits Adviser for Maggie's Edinburgh & Fife

I understand that being diagnosed with cancer is hugely stressful and can be increased by the worry that wages could cease whilst day-to-day living expenses continue.

Before joining Maggie's I worked for the Department of Work and Pensions. I had various roles such as benefits processor and adjudicator and, finally, visiting officer in the Pension Service.

Tu Edwards

Community Fundraiser, Dundee, Tayside and Fife

My name is Tu Edwards and I am the Community Fundraiser for Dundee Tayside and Fife. I started with Maggie’s at Maggie’s Fife in 2010 in and have now taken over the expanded area of Dundee and Tayside and Fife. I previously worked for a disability organisation for several years before moving to Maggie’s.

I have a full certificate in Fundraising Management and sit on the Institute of Fundraising Personal Development Committee. The last few years have been fantastic, meeting so many people who really want to make a difference to those affected by cancer. Maggie’s has done so much to change cancer support across the UK I am proud to be part of this.

Alistair Sutherland

Tai Chi Instructor, Maggie's Fife

I truly enjoy working with people who are facing adversity with such courage, fortitude and humour.

I am a grade “A” Instructor with Tai Chi Union for Great Britain and level three Advanced Instructor on Register of Exercise Professionals.  I have 19 years training of Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong and Chinese Internal Arts. I am also Principal Instructor East Winds School of T’ai Chi Ch’uan.

Read my blog in the Online Centre.

Angie Thomas

Tai Chi Instructor, Maggie's Fife

I always enjoy the sessions at Maggie's Fife - the enthusiasm and energy that comes from the group is wonderful. 

I've been studying Tai Chi and Qigong for eight years now and I've been teaching a variety of groups for the past five years, including people in residential homes and sheltered housing.

Kellie Anderson

Health Education/Nutrition Sessional Worker at Maggie's Edinburgh and Fife

Diet in relation to cancer is one of the best ways for people to be able to help themselves.  It’s great to discuss with Maggie’s groups the best – and tastiest – ways to get through treatment, and beyond.

I have an MSc in Health Education and have worked as a health writer and a research associate at the University of Edinburgh.

Jayne Wilding

Expressive Writing Facilitator

I have been leading writing groups since 1998, working in many different kinds of settings ranging from one-to-one work in hospitals to writing haiku with groups in gardens. I trained initially as a writing facilitator with Survivors’ Poetry.

Working with words at Maggie’s continues to be a great privilege. My hope is that more and more people will benefit from the writing groups and the incredible support that develops within them.
 
Writing is powerful and there is something amazing about being there when people find their ‘voice’. It happens when you least expect it and that makes this work very exciting.

Trish Sully

Art Therapist, Maggie's Edinburgh & Fife