Andrew Farr (General Manager, Libertus Services) & Kellie Mercer (Manager, Caring in Craigmillar) are Co-Chairs for the Older People Provider’s Forum.
Andrew Farr (General Manager, Libertus Services)
I look forward to working with you in our forum, I’m confident our individual and collective knowledge, experience and expertise will continue to add value in our services, with the people we support at the heart of everything we do. I joined Libertus Services in 2018, leading a team of 19 staff to provide Day Services and Support to older people and vulnerable older people, mental health support, carer support, volunteer programmes, and outreach from our purpose built premises in Gracemount, Edinburgh.
My Career in Social Care began 20 years ago, as a Support Worker in children’s services. From there I realised the value we bring to people’s lives in so many types of service including respite and residential provision. I held roles across Care at Home, Housing Support, Residential, and Neurological Services for adults as Regional Manager, in geographical Areas including the Highlands, Forth Valley, Glasgow, and Ayrshire, while achieving SVQ 4 in Health and Social Care, and SCQF level 10 in Management.
Although we are experiencing unprecedented times, I am confident that working together will uphold our ethos, providing support to maximise independence and personal outcomes, enriching the lives of people we support.
Contact Andrew: AndewFarr@libertus.org.uk
Kellie Mercer (Manager, Caring in Craigmillar)
I am delighted to be working alongside the Forum Chair Andrew Farr and EVOC to bring together the many third sector organisations in Edinburgh who deliver valuable services to older people across our City. My aim when I agreed to join the Forum as Vice Chair was to ensure that all of our fantastic organisations large and small have a collective voice in making sure older people and the organisations that deliver services to them are supported, heard and valued as partners. In a time of many changes within the health and social care partnership/sector and during recent times when many organisations have faced challenges due to the restrictions that have been in place and will continue be felt for months/years to come it is vital we bring collective knowledge and expertise and work together to influence real change in Edinburgh.
Caring in Craigmillar offer Day Opportunities for Older People in North East Edinburgh who are living with Dementia, have long term health issues and/or care needs, providing support to people to enable them to lead as independent a life as they can and keep people connected and stimulated. We also operate our Phonelink Edinburgh service, twice daily welfare calls to support with Medication prompts, safety checks and reduce loneliness for people.
I have worked with CIC since 2004 and have been Manager since 2016 further to gaining my SVQ 4 in Health and Social Care and an SVQ 4 in Management. I previously worked in Standard Life for many years where I trained teams of new staff.
