Meet the Team
Community Rehabilitation Worker
Ross Purves
Ross’ background in the social sector, and previous experience working within the Citizens Advice Bureau has given him a comprehensive understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable and marginalised groups, particularly when attempting to re-engage socially and economically in their community.
Qualified with a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Ross also has his own Carpentry business, which has given him an insight into the wider economic and self-employment landscape.
Administrator
Lorraine Mackenzie
With a background in administration, Lorraine is meticulous and organised, and provides fundamental support to the running of our programmes, by working closely with our staff, service users and wider agencies to support the referral and signposting processes and to improve access to our services. Having worked initially on one of our previous "Money Matters" programmes, Lorraine has a clear insight into the health and social care sector, and a passion for supporting others.
Volunteer and Community Officer
Daina McFarlane
Daina has worked in the exercise and wellbeing sector for the last 18 years. As a specialist in cancer rehabilitation, mental health, and ante/post natal fitness, Daina works with a variety of organisations to help people achieve their health and wellbeing goal. Qualified with a degree in Psychology and Sociology, Daina is passionate about the link between mental and physical wellbeing and strives to bring out the best in everyone with a person-centered and friendly approach.
Community Rehabilitation Worker
Marie Wilson
Marie has worked Borders for the last 14 years as a Community Care Assessor. Marie has also worked in Financial Inclusion for the Scottish Borders Council for the past year.
Qualified with a SVQ 3 in promoting Independence and also a Higher National Certificate in Social Care, Marie is passionate about supporting people with health conditions to improve their daily lives and overall wellbeing.
Community Inclusion Worker
Mark Huggan
Mark has worked in the health and social care sector for 25 years.
A Founder and Director of Freestyle Fitness Borders (the only not for profit gym within the Scottish Borders), Mark prides himself on his inclusivity.
Mark has a SVQ 2 in Health and Social Care and Diplomas in Child Behaviour, Sports Therapy and Fitness Instructing.
Mark can help people develop a higher level of independence and improve their communication and social skills.
Meet the Board
Founder
Kate Carnegie MBE
"I want to make you the best you can be."
Kate’s passion in life has always been to help people thrive and achieve in their lives. Having founded Triage (an employability, skills and workplace training company) in 1998, Kate was awarded an MBE in 2011 in recognition of the life changing work she has delivered. Over the span of the last twenty years under Kate’s leadership, Triage has supported nearly 48,000 people into employment.
Kate’s insight into the challenging social issues and inequalities experienced by individuals and communities across Scotland and the North East of England became a significant driving force behind the establishment of DCF in 2019.
Non-Executive Director
Sarah Sanderson
Sarah is a well-known and respected figure across the employment and social support landscape, having devoted more than 47 years of her working life to the industry, serving as Operations Director and Board Member for Triage, and having worked across a range of operational, development and leadership roles within the Employment Service (now Jobcentre Plus).
Development Director
Lisa Henderson
Having ran a number of successful businesses, including a property development firm which provides high quality homes for rent, Lisa provides DCF support and input into innovation, development and enterprise.
Chief Executive Officer
Paul de Pellette
Leading UK-wide employability business and programmes, marketing and public affairs for the past 30 years, Paul also serves as CEO for Triage, Chair for the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA), and Chair of Employment Support Scotland.
Director
Ashleigh McAllister
Providing leadership and input on health and wellbeing matters across DCF’s services, Ashleigh also leads on the delivery of first aid training. Away from her involvement in DCF, Ashleigh is a senior nurse and has worked across a range of clinical areas and for a number of health boards across Scotland.
Non-Executive Director
Liam Entwistle
Liam is Chair of Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, one of Scotland's longest established law firms. Liam specialises in arbitration and dispute resolution, and he is a Fellow of the Institute of Arbitrators, as well as a member of the Law Society of Scotland.