A local Aberdeen children’s charity has appointed a Children and Family Support Manager to expand its service offering.
Charlie House, which supports babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions in the North-east of Scotland, welcomes Leigh Ryrie to the team.
Leigh joins the team with over twenty years of health, private and third sector experience and extensive experience working with children and families, having previously held positions with a local cancer charity and at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH).
This key appointment now expands the charity’s services to include one-to-one group and family support for children, siblings and parents, support for adults who have to have difficult conversations with children, managing worries and feelings, preparation for funerals, pre and post bereavement support and ‘keeping memories safe’ work. Leigh will also support carers and professionals and be a family advocate.
Established in 2011, Charlie House provides support for families with children who have complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions. This is carried out through an Activities Club, Sibling Club, Kielder Activity Short Break and Community Team. The charity vision has always been to have a purpose-built facility in Aberdeen for children and young people in the North-East of Scotland. This project is in the first phase of planning.
Commenting on the appointment, Tracy Johnstone, chair of Charlie House, says, “Leigh’s appointment has enabled the charity to extend its services and provide much needed one-to-one and specific group support to the families. Unfortunately, some of the conversations that the parents have to have with their children can be very difficult ones so knowing how to tackle those, and have support in doing so, is vital. We have had an excellent response from our families in regard to being able to offer this service and look forward to watching this develop. Leigh is a wonderful asset to our Community Team.”
Leigh Ryrie, children and family support manager at Charlie House, says, “Having gained extensive experience across multiple relevant sectors, I now feel my combined experience enables me to provide the best possible support to the families at Charlie House. I feel very honoured to support families throughout their journey with us and look forward to developing our services even further.”
For more information about Charlie House, visit www.charliehouse.org.uk