Who we are

The staff group is multi-disciplinary, with backgrounds in social work, art therapy, counselling and nursing. Students from social work, art therapy and social care regularly come to Sunflower Garden on placement and a committed group of volunteers support the day to day running of the project.

SunflowerLyn Hair 

I am the Manager of Sunflower Garden and have worked within the service since 2004.  I have a background in Social Work and experience in children & families.  Within Sunflower I monitor and develop the running of the service as well as working on a one to one and group basis with the children.

SunflowerGayle Ritchie

I am the Senior Project Worker – Students & Volunteers within Sunflower.  I am trained in learning difficulties and have previous Sunflowerexperience of work within the mental health field.  Within Sunflower I work specifically on recruiting and supporting students and volunteers within the service and hold a small case load of children.

SunflowerGabriela Smith

I am a Children’s Worker at Sunflower Garden, where I have worked since 2004. I trained as an Art and English teacher at Palacky University in the Czech Republic and have a MSc in Art Therapy from Queen Margaret University College. I run therapeutic groups to help children to express themselves and gain self-esteem. I also provide support to children on an individual basis. In my work I am interested in how children acquire a better understanding of their situation through art and creativity.

SunflowerDonna Welsh

I am the Children’s Support Worker at Sunflower.  I undertake both one-to-one and group work with the children. Through my work my main aim is to be a consistent adult who provides a safe space for the children to talk about their worries and fears. I am on maternity leave until March 2010.

SunflowerAnna Tancock

I am a Children's Worker within Sunflower. After completing my Social Work Degree from the University of Edinburgh i joined the Sunflower Garden team as a children's worker and I work with children on both a one-to-one and group basis, aiming to provide reliable and consistent support to the children. 

SunflowerJane Forrester

I am the Administrator for Sunflower Garden. I have worked for CrossReach for just over 4 years, since 2005 and with Sunflower Garden since 2008. I cover all administrative and financial duties within Sunflower Garden.

SunflowerStudents

Sunflower Garden takes on student placements from a variety of disciplines from Social Work, Health & Social Care, Music & Art Therapy and Counselling, as well as many others.  Within the placements the students would complete work such as one-to-one work, group work, assessment and review work and also specialised therapy work.

Simpson House 

52 Queen Street 

Edinburgh 

EH2 3NS 

Charity No: SC011353