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our staff

The staff team at COVEY continues to grow, with bank staff now joining our team. Our longest serving team member has now been with us for over 18 years.

Central to our team is the commitment and passion that is shown with each person bringing their own unique set of skills, knowledge and experience to their role.

These skills include youth work, therapeutic work, specialisms in additional needs, mental health interventions and leadership.

This is all held together by a strong administrative core.

We have 5 dog lovers, a bagpiper, a couple of grandmothers, a theatre buff, a dancer and a designer amongst others. This creates a rich and varied team resulting in some interesting office conversations!

Leadership Team
  • Lee Johnstone (Chief Executive)
  • Lynn Cochrane (Operational Support)
  • Debbie Gavan (Operational Leader)
  • Wendy Johnstone (Project Development Leader)
  • Joyce Leighton (Office Leader)
  • Gail Teague (Financial Controller)

our board

 
Ian McLaughlan MBE

Ian McLaughlan has enjoyed a varied career working in the voluntary sector for 35 years supporting community organisations striving to improve the lives of children and young people. An experienced leader, he has been Chief Officer of three national children and young people's organisations, the BB in Scotland, Early Years Scotland and, before retiring in March 2022, with Youth Scotland - one of the national intermediaries supporting youth work in Scotland.

Leading Youth Scotland for the past nine years, Ian championed the case - and provided training and resources - for the most vulnerable young people in society and promoted community based youth work in every local authority area of Scotland.

As well as being Chair of COVEY, Ian is a member of the Board of Management of Edinburgh College and a member of Police Scotland's independent review group on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Ian is a past Chair, and currently Fellow, of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO) and was Vice-Chair of the Cattanach, an early years charitable trust.

Rachel Giddins

Wanting to be part of an organisation that improves the lives of others, I joined the COVEY Board. Time is one of the most precious commodities we have and using it to help others aligns with my own values.

I believe I bring a positive energy and a passion for improving the lives of others.

 
 
Gordon Roberts

Having retired from teaching I was keen to devote my energy and attitudes to a worthwhile project to support families and young people. In my capacity as Deputy Head Teacher, I led and coordinated the Pupil Support Team and Support for Learning Department and it was in this role that I was aware of the work COVEY Befriending provided to support young people, particularly in Clydesdale. This seemed like a "good fit" with my values and willingness to become involved.

I applied to volunteer and completed my training in December 2019. Further conversations and reflections followed which led to me being invited to attend a few Board meetings to gain more knowledge and understanding of how the organisation provides valuable support in the community.

Providing insight from my previous career will contribute to Covey's expansion and development at a crucial stage in the lives of young people and their families.

David Bonner

I was looking for an opportunity to use my skills and time for the benefit of others.

I have broad ranging life and business experience that I feel positively contributes to the Board.

I see myself in the COVEY values whilst also bringing empathy, resilience and an enquiring mind to the role.

 
 
John Ryan

I joined the Board to bring my experience of working in social work for 34 years to help COVEY continue to make a difference to the children and families it works with.

Issues relating to poverty and disadvantage that many children and families face in Lanarkshire have not changed and I have never lost my passion to work with those who experience disadvantage the most.

Covey is an organisation that is well established and well respected and I believe that my experience of work with children and families can help Covey to continue to have the magnificent impact it has.

I am hugely motivated to make a difference and have the drive, energy and determination to succeed, bringing a highly professional approach to help drive the organisation forward.

Estelle Carmichael

I am privileged to have worked with children and families for over 25 years and I am blown away by the passion and dedication from the COVEY community.

I am committed to social justice and believe that access to opportunity and the chance to make positive relationships can make a difference - real and powerful change.

I feel that COVEY fits well with me, as a person and as a professional. Drawing on experience from practice and policy in local authorities, third sector, CELCIS (Centre for excellence for Children's Care and Protection) and the Scottish Government, I hope to contribute to the work of the Board to play a part in a valuable organisation.

 
 
Bruce Marks

I am a Chartered Accountant, having spent my career in Professional Services with KPMG LLP, where I provided accounting, audit and governance advice to both publicly and privately owned companies and to organisations in the Third Sector.

I wanted to bring the experience I have gained in Governance and Finance to help COVEY continue the fantastic work that it does in helping improve opportunities for young people and families.

I am also currently on the Board of Trustees for two other charities: includem and Quarriers.

 
Ian McLaughlan MBE

Ian McLaughlan has enjoyed a varied career working in the voluntary sector for 35 years supporting community organisations striving to improve the lives of children and young people. An experienced leader, he has been Chief Officer of three national children and young people's organisations, the BB in Scotland, Early Years Scotland and, before retiring in March 2022, with Youth Scotland - one of the national intermediaries supporting youth work in Scotland.

Leading Youth Scotland for the past nine years, Ian championed the case - and provided training and resources - for the most vulnerable young people in society and promoted community based youth work in every local authority area of Scotland.

As well as being Chair of COVEY, Ian is a member of the Board of Management of Edinburgh College and a member of Police Scotland's independent review group on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Ian is a past Chair, and currently Fellow, of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO) and was Vice-Chair of the Cattanach, an early years charitable trust.

 
Rachel Giddins

Wanting to be part of an organisation that improves the lives of others, I joined the COVEY Board. Time is one of the most precious commodities we have and using it to help others aligns with my own values.

I believe I bring a positive energy and a passion for improving the lives of others.

 
Gordon Roberts

Having retired from teaching I was keen to devote my energy and attitudes to a worthwhile project to support families and young people. In my capacity as Deputy Head Teacher, I led and coordinated the Pupil Support Team and Support for Learning Department and it was in this role that I was aware of the work COVEY Befriending provided to support young people, particularly in Clydesdale. This seemed like a "good fit" with my values and willingness to become involved.

I applied to volunteer and completed my training in December 2019. Further conversations and reflections followed which led to me being invited to attend a few Board meetings to gain more knowledge and understanding of how the organisation provides valuable support in the community.

Providing insight from my previous career will contribute to Covey's expansion and development at a crucial stage in the lives of young people and their families.

 
David Bonner

I was looking for an opportunity to use my skills and time for the benefit of others.

I have broad ranging life and business experience that I feel positively contributes to the Board.

I see myself in the COVEY values whilst also bringing empathy, resilience and an enquiring mind to the role.

 
John Ryan

I joined the Board to bring my experience of working in social work for 34 years to help COVEY continue to make a difference to the children and families it works with.

Issues relating to poverty and disadvantage that many children and families face in Lanarkshire have not changed and I have never lost my passion to work with those who experience disadvantage the most.

Covey is an organisation that is well established and well respected and I believe that my experience of work with children and families can help Covey to continue to have the magnificent impact it has.

I am hugely motivated to make a difference and have the drive, energy and determination to succeed, bringing a highly professional approach to help drive the organisation forward.

 
Estelle Carmichael

I am privileged to have worked with children and families for over 25 years and I am blown away by the passion and dedication from the COVEY community.

I am committed to social justice and believe that access to opportunity and the chance to make positive relationships can make a difference - real and powerful change.

I feel that COVEY fits well with me, as a person and as a professional. Drawing on experience from practice and policy in local authorities, third sector, CELCIS (Centre for excellence for Children's Care and Protection) and the Scottish Government, I hope to contribute to the work of the Board to play a part in a valuable organisation.

 
Bruce Marks

I am a Chartered Accountant, having spent my career in Professional Services with KPMG LLP, where I provided accounting, audit and governance advice to both publicly and privately owned companies and to organisations in the Third Sector.

I wanted to bring the experience I have gained in Governance and Finance to help COVEY continue the fantastic work that it does in helping improve opportunities for young people and families.

I am also currently on the Board of Trustees for two other charities: includem and Quarriers.

2024 COVEY Befriending
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2024 COVEY Befriending
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2024 COVEY Befriending