Louise Gibson
Team Leader
I have been involved in childcare since 1990 when myself and a group of Mums and Dads helped set up the Toybox Children’s Centre here in Gairloch.
Since then I have worked setting up out of school clubs then moved into CALA working with committee led groups before moving to the Family Support Team. I cover a large area from Lochinver to Portree and love seeing children grow and develop.
My own two boys are now grown up and living in Inverness. I enjoy reading and working in my garden although the west coast weather limits this a bit! As you can see from the photo I also have cats
Caroline Askew
Team Leader
Having travelled about a lot and had many interesting and varied jobs I love working with CALA as the Family Support Co ordinator for Lochaber. I support 11 Parent and Toddler Groups in this stunning area. Outdoors is where you will find me in my time off where I love to walk, cycle and chop wood for the stove.
My newest activity is Polytunnel Gardening, so I soon hope to be growing & eating lots of fresh veg. Children all grown up now but I have superb memories of making friends at my own Parent and Toddler Group when they were wee and I am delighted to be able to work with Parents, Babies & Toddlers again.
Samantha Rourke
Family Practitioner
I joined CALA’s Family Support team in June 2019 covering the Badenoch and Strathspey area, after working as an Early Years Practitioner for 11 years. I love being able to get out and about in the Community, meeting lots of lovely families and I’m passionate about supporting children’s early learning and development. It’s an extremely rewarding job!
I also have 2 children of my own and we have a little shih tzu called George that we love taking out for walks.
As well as work and family life, I am also currently in the last year of studying for my BA Childhood Practice degree.
Christine Stone
Family Practitioner
Born and raised on the Isle-of-Lewis, I left home after High School to train as a Primary School teacher – work I continue to do in a Supply Teaching capacity. Life has presented me with many opportunities of working alongside children in a variety of contexts, whether through Gaelic-based groups, after-school clubs or within the Voluntary Sector where I have served on the Children’s Panel for the past 21 years. These ongoing opportunities and experiences have been invaluable. Currently, I chair our local Fèis Ghallaibh group and act as Gaelic Advisor to Melvich Gaelic Choir. It remains my desire to encourage all things Gaelic and so the opportunity of joining CALA in February 2021, as Gaelic Parent & Toddler Development Worker, based in Thurso, Caithness, seemed like the perfect, next step. I’m looking forward to the work and the challenges. When I’m free, I enjoy singing, writing, walking and occasional fly-fishing.