Our Organisation

firsthand aims to increase resiliency and improve well-being of vulnerable families, children and young people who are isolated as a result of their caring duties, disability or mental health. We provide a sitter service to lone parents and families affected by disability, and a befriending service to isolated young people with disabilities and / or mental health issues.

We are a charity, established in 1992, and a company limited by guarantee. Our sitter service is registered with the Care Commission and has recently received a grade 5 in all areas of inspection. Our Befriending Service has reached the Approved Provider Standard, and we have Investing in Volunteers.

Our funding comes from a range of sources, with a long-standing service level agreement with the council for most of the sitter service and part of the befriending service, and funding from a range of grant making trusts, our own fundraising initiatives and individual donations.

Our Staff

Sharon McIntyre Director

Susan Johnston Office Manager

Bill Boyd Befriending Co-ordinator

Barbara Doctor Sitter Co-ordinator (Early Years)

Kate Watson Sitter Co-ordinator (Disability)

Board of Directors

Susan Oswald Convenor

Katherine Peace Vice-Convenor

Judy Cromarty Treasurer

Irina Rasch Management Secretary

Martin Gaughan

Jane Brown

Gillian Hutton

Sue Robertson

Gillian Thomson

Jo Smith