Janet - Director Expand Janet has over 25 years' experience of working in the not for profit sector in a range of different roles including establishing FLAG, the local advice and guidance service around health and social care. As an experienced manager, Janet is committed to Signpost’s aim of improving the quality of life of Stockport’s carers and supporting them to look to their own health and wellbeing.
Team Manager (Deputy to the Director) - Julia Expand Julia works closely with Janet in her role as director of the organisation and supports the Adult Carers team at Signpost. She is also taking the lead on Signpost’s newest project – Carers Connect. With considerable experience of working in the voluntary sector, both on a regional and local level, Julia brings a range of skills and expertise to the team and works hard to enable them to deliver the information and support that will most help carers in Stockport.
Katie - Business Manager Expand Katie has worked for Signpost for five years; she leads on our finance, IT and governance work as well as overseeing the facilities function of the Heaton’s Centre. She works closely with the Director and Team Manager to develop and manage strategic, business and budget planning for Signpost. She is also Signpost Stockport for Carers' Company Secretary.
Pat - Dementia Carer Advice & Support Service Team Manager Expand Pat has worked at Signpost for the past 20 years with a gap of 18 months when she was with Information and Advice at Stockport Town Hall; it was during this period that she gained her specialist knowledge of disability benefits. Pat works part-time due to caring for her 94 year old mother so she has first-hand experience of the challenges of being a carer.
Louise - Dementia Carer Support worker Expand Louise has been working at Signpost for 10 years and is part of the Dementia Carers' Advice and Support Service. She works very closely with the Mental Health Liaison Team at The Meadows and the Dementia and Mental Health team and Specialist Dementia Matron at Stepping Hill. This often involves joint visits with the mental/health nurses or Psychiatrists and Social Workers to enable the professional to assess the person with dementia whilst Louise works with the carer.
Celia - Dementia Carer Support Worker Expand Celia is part of the DCASS Team and has worked for Signpost for 8 years. Her role is supporting carers of people diagnosed with dementia, providing advice on benefit entitlement, and assisting with completion of application forms. This also includes giving emotional support and information about resources available in the local community. Celia has over 30 years’ experience working in the public sector in mainly customer facing roles, advising on benefits, national insurance and pensions.
Julie - Wellbeing & Engagement Officer Expand Julie has been with Signpost for the last 15 years and currently works as a Wellbeing and Engagement officer. Julie enables carers to access the relevant services and community-based activities which will support them in their caring roles, helping to reduce their sense of social isolation and encouraging them to look to their own health and wellbeing. She herself is a carer and has a close relative who has a very high caring role, giving Julie the insight and empathy to support carers.
Gayner - Wellbeing & Engagement Officer Expand Gayner is also a Wellbeing and Engagement Worker for Signpost supporting people to engage with their community to improve their wellbeing. Gayner provides a bespoke service to individuals linking them with activities, groups and voluntary opportunities in their local area based on their interests and needs. She can also accompany people initially to activities to help reduce anxiety. Gayner has worked in a number of mentoring and support roles within the charity sector over the last 5 years, including working for Citizens Advice, and is also a qualified counsellor. Prior to this, she spent 17 years working at the British Council as a Programme Manager delivering international development projects, and is committed to supporting people to fulfil their potential and make changes to enhance their quality of life.
Jennie - Support Planning Officer Expand Jennie started as a volunteer at Signpost 22 years ago and is now a member of staff supporting carers to access information, advice and support which will be of benefit to their individual situation. Working closely with Stockport’s health professionals, Jennie provides additional support to older couples where both people are struggling with health problems. Part of Jennie’s role is to help identify hidden carers, working closely with GP practices and other health professionals in the borough.
June - Disability Benefits Advisor Expand June joined the team last summer and helps carers complete disability benefit forms either in their own homes or at The Heatons Centre, as well as enabling them to access other forms of support in their local community. Before coming to Signpost, June had a long and varied career with the Civil Service which gave her the organisational skills and customer service skills required as well as additional insights into the benefit system.
Sam - Facilities Assistant Expand Sam manages room hire at The Heatons Centre, ensuring the health and safety of all those who use it and supports the Business Manager in the day to day running and organisation of the building.
Wendy - Finance Assistant Expand Wendy joined us as a volunteer in November 2012 and is now employed as our Finance Assistant, supporting our Business Manager Katie in the day to day running of the charity's finances.
Catherine - Social Media & Admin Assistant Expand Catherine is the newest member of the Signpost team. She manages the website and Signpost's social media platforms as well as supporting the rest of the staff with additional administrative tasks. She is closely involved in the new Carers Connect project which aims to help carers in Stockport become better connected to each other both virtually and in real life.