WLCC team

Hi, I’m Christine, I joined Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre (WLCC) in January 2024 as Chief Officer, bringing over 28 years of experience in Carers services. My journey includes being a past carer for a family member and a professional supporting both adult and young carers. This dual perspective gives me a deep, empathetic understanding of the daily challenges carers face

At WLCC, I believe that the people we support and their carers should be at the heart of everything we do. I am passionate about ensuring that suitable, quality, and creative support solutions are available to all who need them. This includes finding innovative ways to reach hidden carers—those who may not recognise themselves as carers or are so involved in their caring role that they struggle to find time to connect.

Given the ongoing challenges in Social Care, my goal is to ensure the sustainability of our charity to continue serving unpaid carers and alleviating some of the pressures they face. I will focus on imaginative, efficient, and effective ways of working to deliver support that yields positive outcomes and adds social value within our communities. By implementing an evolving communication strategy, I aim to ensure that carers have a strong voice in the development and shaping of our future services.

In my spare time I love walking with my doggies Teddy the Airedale Terrier and Boo the Bedlington, along with eating out holidays in England and abroad.

Hello my name is Mark Leyland. I was a Volunteer at the Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre for a few years helping carers with social media and general tablet/iPad training.

My previous volunteering and my current position as a Buddy Project Worker were and are both rewarding. My role involves assessing carers and the cared for to see if they are suitable for the Buddying Service.

Hello, I’m Daniel and I am the administrator for counselling. I began volunteering at Wigan & Leigh Carers Centre in March 2021 as a voluntary receptionist, helping Mark out on the front desk and assisting in administrative tasks including taking calls, registering new carers, printing carers emergency cards, making referrals for counselling and signposting clients to specific staff members qualified to help their query. I also make our visitors a good brew! Before I came to the centre, I worked for five years in e-commerce and digital marketing as a Graphics Assistant.

As a member of the counselling team, I work with both counsellors and clients to ensure appointments are regularly arranged and attended, as well as helping to resolve issues or queries that may come up during counselling sessions and keeping regular contact with clients to make sure that sessions suit their caring schedule and needs.

I understand how having someone to talk to can make a huge difference to our day and that’s why I aim to keep our counselling service as organised and trustworthy as possible.

Hi, I’m Jill and I have been at the Carers Centre for 6 years now. I was originally employed to run the Buddying Project then progressed onto becoming a Carers’ Case Officer. For the past 18 months, I have been working as the Carers’ Case Officer Team Leader. My job role is to support my team and to offer much needed support and guidance to our carers.

I have been a carer myself in the past for a loved one, so I am aware of what challenges our carers are up against and this enables me to give them the correct support and advice that is out there.

I am a mum to 2 boys, and in my spare time I love to workout and keep myself healthy as well as enjoying some meditation. I have a dog called Blu who also keeps me on my toes.

Hi, I’m Kieron and I’ve been a Carers Case Officer at the centre since October 2022. Anyone that is a newly registered adult carer or requires one-to-one support will receive a call from myself or my colleague, Jill. Previously I have worked in Retail, Digital Printing and most recently as a PCN Care Coordinator.

In 2018, my son was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare progressive muscle wasting disease. As a parent carer myself, I understand first-hand the challenges unpaid carers can face. You are very welcome to contact me for an informal chat where I can offer you a listening and non-judgemental ear at a time when you may need it the most.

As my son’s condition is a rare disease, I have advocated for Dad’s in a similar situation to myself and facilitated support groups for them through various charities. I also write a blog from the point of view of a Dad dealing with their child’s diagnosis / condition which has led to other Dad’s from all over the world contacting me to say how much what I’ve written resonated with them.

In my spare time, I like to spend as much time with my family. I keep myself fit by running and cycling which has led to raising money for charities that have supported my family, so you’ll often see me at the forefront of any fundraising campaigns for WLCC! You’ll also find me channelling my inner Bet Lynch (donning leopard print!) at the Leigh Sports Village on a Friday night watching the mighty Leigh Leopards!!

I started working for the Carers Centre in May 2015 as an assessor and became team leader in 2018. We have a team of 6 assessors covering the Wigan and Leigh Borough. The role of an assessor is to assess the needs of unpaid carers through an assessment. This is just a chat and a chance to discuss any concerns or issues when caring for a loved one. We can meet carers face to face or we can assess over the telephone. We offer support to carers in various ways, this can be information and advice, reducing isolation, training to support them in their caring role or grants and budgets depending on eligibility.

I have worked at the Carers Centre for 6 years.  Prior to this I worked for Wigan Council supporting people with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

I am a Carers Assessor and this involves talking to carers about their caring role, how it affects them and talking over ways things could change or improve to help the carer to manage better where possible.

It involves offering advice and information, providing a listening ear, signposting and referring out to different services including referring to the Carers Centre.

I enjoy my job and hope that the support we offer makes a difference to people’s lives.

Hello, I am Diane. I am one of the Carers Assessors. I joined the team in May 2023.

I have worked in social care from the age of 22, I have provided support to lots of different individuals all with individual needs.  I have worked in care homes and domiciliary care, I have also supported people living in their own homes as a live in carer.  I then progressed to becoming an N.V.Q assessor supporting individuals to complete their qualifications in level 2,3 and 5 health and social care and level 2 and 3 in customer service.

I have my own experience of supporting family, firstly, I supported my mum who was diagnosed with early onset dementia, then my Grandad. And now my dad, who lives with me.

I have experienced all the different emotions and difficulties that carers face.

When I have free time I like to spend quality time with my family and catch up with friends, I enjoy going to the summer fairs and local events.

Working for WLCC gives me the opportunity to support other carers and their families by providing information and a listening ear.

Hello I am Pauline.  I joined Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre in June 2023 as a Carer Assessor. This role involves talking to carers about their caring role, how it impacts on their daily life. It gives us the opportunity to talk things over and look at ways that may possibly improve things to help with their caring role.

For 15 years prior to working at WLCC, I worked as a social worker for Wigan council. I predominantly worked as part of the hospital discharge process. I found the role very stressful and fast paced preventing me from being able to spend quality time with carers.  I feel I can use my social work skills within my carer assessor role to support and advise carers.

I also bring to my role, my own experiences of supporting family, with an understanding to the different emotions and difficulties that carers face.  I am a mother to two grown up sons and 5 grandchildren who I love dearly. In 2020 my husband I became special guardians to our (then) 10-year-old granddaughter. Taking on parental responsibilities again after so many years has its own challenges.

When I have free time, I like to spend quality time with my family, socialise with friends or go camping for the weekend.  I enjoy trying my hand at different craft. I have enjoyed cross stitching, decoupage, tapestry, sewing, making Faberge eggs, quilting, These days I don’t seem to have the time so tend just do a bit of knitting.

My greatest, stress relief is my line dancing. I have done this on and off for the past 20 years.  I am still not very good at it but find having to concentrate on the steps means I cannot worry about things. It is also a great way to meet people and I have made many friends through it.  It also an activity I feel confident going on my own and I highly recommend anyone giving it a go.

I enjoy working for WLCC, it gives me the opportunity to support other carers and their families by providing information and a listening ear. I hope that the support we offer makes a difference to people’s lives.

I joined the Carers Centre in June 2015 and had previously worked for Wigan Age UK and before that for the Citizens Advice Bureau.

I am part of a team of six carers assessors. The assessment aims to identify any support needs a carer may have and address those needs where possible, by providing information and referring on to relevant services within the centre or externally.

I enjoy working with carers and knowing that I’ve helped to make a positive difference in their lives. I find my job very rewarding.

I joined Wigan & Leigh Carers Centre in February 2019. Prior to joining I was a qualified Social Worker within Adult Services having worked for Wigan Council and of late Lancashire County Council. I am part of a team of six Carers Assessors. The aim of the Carers assessment is to identify any support needs a carer may have and address those needs where possible, by providing information and referring on to relevant services within the centre or externally.

I enjoy working with Carers and knowing that I’ve helped to make a positive difference in their lives.

Hello, my name is Lisa and I joined Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre in October 2020 as Marketing and Communications Officer.  I have over 28 years experience of working in local government, private social care and charities. From personal experience, caring for my Dad and Grandparents, I know how challenging the role of a family carer can be.  It’s reassuring to know that there is support for carers and help is available.

I am proud to be part of this team – the staff and volunteers here genuinely care about the well-being of carers and strive to make a difference in their lives.

In my spare time, I enjoy volunteering, running, walking and spot of DJing.

Hello, my name is Elaine Burgoyne, I am the Central Services Manager and have been employed since 2009.  I was one of the first people the Centre employed and have been proud to see it grow over the years.

I currently look after the staff and centre finances.  I am passionate about helping Carers, having been one myself.

In my spare time I love to read novels about fictional Serial Killers, American author Chris Carter is my favourite.

Hello, I’m Suzanne, Activities and Engagement Team Leader and I have worked at Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre since March 2022. I joined Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre because I wanted to help make a positive difference in the lives of others. Working with carers is such a privilege, and every day brings something different, especially as now we have an amazing outreach programme – Carers Connect. We have an amazing opportunity to reach carers right in the hearts of our communities throughout Wigan and Leigh.

In my free time I enjoy music, films, meals out, walking and spending time with my family and friends.

My name is Sandra Clayton and I have recently become a member of the new Carers Connect Outreach Team. I am excited to share the insights and strategies I have learned through my personal experiences of a being a carer and I am keen to support others who are on similar journeys.

I feel that it is crucial for carers to have a strong support network, and I am passionate about creating this for other carers and their loved ones.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going for walks and spending time with my family.

Hi, I’m Lynne.  I was a volunteer at the Carers Centre over a three/four  year period.  I am a parent carer and have been for 20 years.  This is my first job in 20 years.

I also ran a group for families with a disabled child and siblings called Kids and Sibs Wigan for 14 years with two other parents, we set the group up as there was no other support out their at that time, when we started my son was five , and my daughter 2, they are now 20 and 17.  It was a great support to me and the other families and it has been great to see other parents set up their own groups since then.

Working at the Carers Centre has given me a sense of achievement and self worth and I am looking forward to the coming months supporting carers.

Hi, I’m Michelle, when I became a carer for my loved one, I accessed the Centre and received some great support. I wanted to give something back, so alongside doing a Counselling and Psychotherapy Degree, I took a placement at the Carers Centre as a Volunteer Counsellor. That was two years ago, and I’ve never left. I feel privileged to have been able to work with such lovely people.

I am now part of the Carers Connect Outreach Team, and I’m excited to see the project grow as we get out into Wigan and Leigh and create hubs within local communities. I know only too well how lonely being a carer can be and being able to access support and companionship can make a huge difference.

I love working with people, my career has been centred around community work with all ages, but in my spare time I love to see my family and friends, listen to music and make memories.

Hi, I’m Louise Winstanley. A caring and compassionate person with a passion for supporting others. As a carer for my dad, who lives with dementia and heart conditions, I deeply understand the challenges faced by carers.

My role as Carer Companion Team Lead at Wigan and Leigh Carers Centre involves helping carers access essential respite. Since joining the team in January 2024, I’ve found a fulfilling way to share my empathy and positivity with a wider community.

With a background in supporting children and adults with additional needs, combined with my qualifications in holistic practices like Meditation, Reiki and Qigong, I bring a unique perspective to my work. I’m also the author of a children’s book which explores themes of emotional resilience and navigating emotions.

Hi my name is Gillian and I am the Transition Support Worker for Wigan and Leigh Young Carers.  I have been in this role since September 2022.

Before working for Wigan and Leigh young Carers I worked at a local school as a Teaching Assistant for children with special needs.

I was particularly interested in working in the Caring Sector as a few years ago I was a full time carer for a family member who had dementia, whilst trying to hold down a full time job.  At that time I was not aware of the support that was available to me and I fully appreciate how difficult the caring role can be.

My hobbies are swimming, reading and spending time with my family.

My name is Jessica and my Role is Education Liaison and Young Carers Support Worker. I have been working for the Charity since December 2023. I have worked with children for over 10 years and I endure making positive changes to young peoples’ lives.

My background mainly consists of working with Looked After Children, providing support/guidance to ensure children/young people are pursuing and making positive decisions, enabling them to grow as individuals.

Working for the Charity and being able to provide respite to young carers, seeing them have fun, allowing children to be children and making friends gives me great joy, I have learned to discover this is an extremely satisfying role to be involved in.

My hobbies and interests include going to the Gym, walking my little sausage dog (not so little anymore!), reading, swimming and most importantly holidays abroad!