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.
Deputy Director - Julia Expand Julia works closely with Janet in her role as director of the organisation, supports the Adult Carers team at Signpost and manages the Carers Connect project. 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 Support Worker Expand Pat has worked at Signpost for over 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 spent many years balancing work with caring for her elderly mother so she has first-hand experience of the challenges of being a carer. Pat is now semi-retired but continues to work at Signpost one day a week.
Celia - Dementia Carer Support Worker Expand Celia has worked for Signpost for 9 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 - Changing Times Coordinator Expand Gayner is one of two Changing Times Coordinators at Signpost, helping carers to navigate difficult transitions along their caring journey. 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. She is a qualified counsellor, managing a small counselling team for Signpost and volunteering her own time to counsel carers two days a week. Gayner is committed to supporting people to fulfil their potential and make changes to enhance their quality of life.
Jennie - Wellbeing and Engagement Officer/Changing Times Coordinator Expand Jennie started as a volunteer at Signpost 23 years ago and now divides her working days between two roles. She is a Wellbeing and Engagement officer (enabling carers to access relevant services and community-based activities to support them in their caring roles) aswell as a Changing Times Coordinator (supporting carers as they navigate difficult transitions along their caring journey). 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 manages the website and Signpost's social media platforms as well as supporting Signpost's work with additional administrative tasks. She is often 'front of house' at Carers Connect activities which aim to help carers in Stockport become better connected to each other both virtually and in real life.
Claire - Communications Coordinator Expand Claire collates each edition of CareLink and manages its distribution along with other mass-mailings. She supports the Carers Connect project with administrative tasks and is often 'front' of house' at Signpost's activities for carers. Claire organises Signpost's biannual Wellbeing Days and takes a lead role in coordinating other promotional events. She also oversees Signpost's carer database and is working hard towards the forthcoming launch of our new Connecting Carers card.