Some Faces at COVEY!

Meet Carol, our Office Manager

What did you do before joining COVEY?

Before joining COVEY, I worked for a housing association in Motherwell for 14 years. I worked in the Corporate Services team for eight years before moving to the housing team as a property manager where I managed the portfolio of private let stock. I was in this role for six years before moving to COVEY.

What made you want to join COVEY?

I had been looking for a job for quite a while as I had to make sure it was the right move for me. I wanted to get back to a support role where I would be assisting others in their role. The job listing for COVEY immediately got my interest. The role was very varied and would see me working alongside different teams to provide support. I had heard of COVEY as my sister-in-law was a volunteer a number of years ago so was familiar with the organisation. There was something in the job listing that just felt right, that this was a job I would enjoy and would push me as there were aspects that I did not have a lot of experience in but I’m ready for the challenge and to do the best for myself and the team.

What do you hope to bring to COVEY?

With my experience as an administrator I hope to provide the support and assistance that you need in order to make your job easier. I am a bit of an organiser – I love a list and a good spreadsheet so I’d like to think I can help with the processes and procedures that you are all working to streamline and be that point of call when you need something. Happy to help!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I want to say that I enjoy keeping fit but that would be a fib. It certainly doesn’t feel enjoyable at the time, but I do feel good for it afterwards. I go the gym a few times a week and try to run a couple of times as well. I’m a bit of a homebody so will usually find me on the couch with a book or getting stuck into a box set on Netflix. Feel free to pass on your recommendations for anything good to read or watch! When I do catch up with friends it’s usually over dinner. If it involved food, I’ll be there!

Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself?

I have recently begun volunteering with a cat rescue charity to foster cats and kittens while they find their forever home. The cats are rescued in Dubai, Egypt, places like that and brought over to the UK to find a permanent home. I currently have Simba and Cheppy staying with me and they are the sweetest pair. Will be a hard goodbye when the time comes for them to move on.

Meet Claire, our Head of Income Generation

What did you do before joining COVEY?

I initially trained as a journalist and worked in employment law journalism, but wasn’t sure it was the career for me so I started volunteering at Scottish Refugee Council and haven’t looked back! I worked with refugees for a number of years for a few different charities (Scottish Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Glasgow Rape Crisis) before I moved to an HIV charity, Waverley Care, where I ultimately became a manager and learnt all about the funding side of a charity. This led me to my new role with COVEY.

What was it about COVEY that made you want to work here?

I have lived in Hamilton for 8 years but worked in Glasgow/Edinburgh, and I really wanted to be working more directly in my local community to make a difference. And what is more important than making sure young people have the best start they possibly can? When I saw this role advertised it was perfect for me, and I’m so pleased I got the job.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?

Most of my time is taken up with my 2 young boys, but when I’m not working or child wrangling I like to cook. Mostly day to day food but I do like making cakes if I have the time/there are enough people around so I won’t eat most of the cake myself! I like yoga and have probably reached the point where I enjoy jogging rather than seeing it as a chore, but winter is coming.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I have a cat called Misha, which is Russian for ‘Mick’. The Russian name is because my husband is Russian, but we called him Misha because he was a rescue cat and the shelter said he looks like Mick Hucknall.

Meet Lucy, our Group Facilitator

What made you want to work for COVEY?

I’ve worked with children and young people for a number of years and was looking for a new exciting challenge. A friend told me that COVEY were advertising and encouraged me to apply, I’m so glad that I did! Covey so far has been fun and rewarding, it’s a great feeling making a difference in children’s lives.

What has been your favourite moment so far with COVEY?

There have already been so many favourite moments! One that sticks out is meeting a child for the first time who struggled to even tell me her name. By the end of a 2 hour fun outing, we had become friends, she had overcome some of her fears and was very proud of herself. We both had a great time!

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I like travelling and love going on little adventures. I love a pub quiz even though we usually come last!

Anything else you’d like to share? Any interesting facts, achievements or experiences?

I’m terrible at drawing, I once tried to draw a giraffe and I’ve never heard the last of it! I enjoy swimming in the sea or rivers and the beach is my favourite place.