Staff
Suzanne Munday
Is the Director of MECOPP and has overall responsibility for the running of the organisation. This includes all aspects of governance, financial management and fundraising, personnel, service and policy development.
I joined MECOPP as Director in 1999 having previously worked with VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) as a development worker. Prior to that, I worked with young people and adults with learning disabilities. My educational background is varied, having gained a degree in Peace Studies from the University of Bradford. I then went on to train in communications, advertising and marketing before undertaking post graduate studies in community education and community care. Until recently I was Vice Convenor of Lothian and Border's Police Lay Advisor Scheme and currently a member of the Scottish Court Service Equality Advisory Group. I have also recently been appointed as a Trustee of Age Scotland.
Bimal Giri
Is the South Asian Male Carers Support Worker and provides information and advocacy support to South Asian male carers.
I was born in Bhutan and came to the UK in 2002. I gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from St. Josephs College, India and spent a year in Community Development in Glasgow. I gained experience working with the Save The Children Fund (UK), the Refugee Community, and also worked as a dementia carer in a hospital. My interests include working with the Nepali community in Scotland. I have lived in Leith for 8 years and enjoy its vibrant community. I have a one year old daughter, and in my spare time I like cooking, sea fishing and outdoor activities.
John Macdonald
Is the Assistant Manager in Edinburgh and Lothians.
I have worked in a range of care and community development contexts and have an MSc in Community Education specialising in Mental Health policy and practice. I have worked independently - researching the needs of parents and the local application of advocacy models. I have published some translations of Russian poetry and recently produced a demo-CD for a pop-opera. I live in Dunfermline with my wife Karen and am currently developing a community project.
Gina McCaughan
Is the Finance Administrator and monitors MECOPP’s financial information in addition to providing administration services.
I joined MECOPP in November 2004 as Financial Administrator. I enjoy being part of a larger team than in previous positions, and the greater variety of work that MECOPP is involved in. Prior to working with MECOPP I worked as an administrator for the CA(I)RE Project at the Eric Liddell Centre, which was a project providing educational and therapeutic courses for carers in order to give carers some respite from their caring responsibilities. I believe in lifelong learning and have at various times been a member of a history workshop in Edinburgh. I have taken community education courses in learning to swim, Russian and French.
Denise McFadden
Is Business Development Assistant and is responsible for managing and developing MECOPP’s room hire facilities as well as additional projects.
I gained a degree in French and Scottish History from the University of Edinburgh and previously worked for the Scottish Parliament. Having joined MECOPP in summer 2010, I am responsible for managing and developing the room hire facilities. This includes aspects of marketing and developing the organisation's web site. I enjoy the variety which my role offers. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, the outdoors, yoga and have recently taken up knitting.
Eric McKenzie
Is Business Development Manager and is responsible for income generation and developing some of MECOPP’s services as Social Enterprises.
From a starting position that maintains that the world could be a better place, and part of what it will take to make it so is people having an equal opportunity to improve their life chances, to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities that life has to offer. I have been privileged enough to pursue a career in pursuit of these goals. Having now worked for over 15 years in the third sector, I have developed a compelling belief in the value of community action, local democracy and local public institutions being able to work as instruments through which greater equity and social justice can be achieved.
I have 2 children and also enjoy playing badminton, football (alas only as a spectator nowadays), walking, swimming, gastronomy (food and wine), listening to other people read to me (talking books) and music
Rosalina Poon
Is the Chinese Carers Support and Development Officer and provides advocacy and language support to carers and those they look after.
Having graduated in London in 1986, I worked as a housing officer at Tower Hamlets Council. I then came to Scotland in 2002 and joined MECOPP as a Chinese Carer Development Officer in 2004. To date, this is the longest project I have worked on.
Yuen Man Rowbottom
Is the Care at Home Coordinating Officer managing MECOPP’s respite service for carers.
I joined MECOPP in 2004 to set up the Care at Home service for the Chinese and Asian Community. I gained a nursing degree and had further training in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. I previously worked as a nurse both in Hong Kong and in the UK for many years.
Ashiay Mohammed Shafique
Is the Asian Carers Support and Development Officer and provides advocacy and language support to carers and those they look after.
I joined MECOPP 6 years ago and previously worked with the Pakistan Society Advice and Information Service as a caseworker. Before my passion for advocacy developed, I worked with YWCA as a youth worker, which gave me the opportunity to travel around Europe participating in a Human Rights and Citizenship courses. We met every year for 3 years in different countries including Budapest, Strasbourg and Venice. My role as Asian Carers Development officer at MECOPP has gradually developed - through different opportunities I have been given in the form of exciting projects and outings. I would say I haven't had a dull day yet!. In my spare time I enjoy travelling and spending time with my daughter.