Skills for Life
Stevie Baxter,
Independent Living Support Worker
As an Independent Living Support Worker, Stevie supports young tenants and prospective young tenants. The key aim is to develop the independent living skills of young people and to support them in maintaining and sustaining tenancies. Stevie supports young people with benefit and money management issues and delivers the SQA accredited Tenancy Award in conjunction with Borders College.
Stevie joined Bridges Project in 2021. Stevie has worked with young people and adults in the care sector for 13 years in various settings for private companies and local authorities. Stevie’s past experience includes working in residential settings with looked after children and young people, youth work in communities, working with adults with learning disabilities and homeless prevention.
Mhairi Kiernan, Independent Living Support Worker
Mhairi supports young tenants and prospective young tenants. The key aim is to develop the independent living skills of young people and to support them in maintaining and sustaining tenancies. Mhairi also supports young people with benefit and money management issues.
Mhairi joined the team in 2022, initially as an Employability Support Worker. She has experience working in many sectors, including more than years in hospitality, and has previously spent time working in the Middle East as an Environmental Engineer Trainee. Mhairi also has experience working with and teaching young people as a PADI Open Water Dive Instructor. She holds a BA Hons in Applied Marine Biology.
Simona Scarfo, Group Support Worker
Simona co-delivers the Group Programme, which offers young people a variety of group activities and workshops aimed at helping them reduce their social isolation and improve their skills.
Simona rejoined Bridges Project in 2024, having previously worked as an Employability Support Worker for the charity from 2022 to 2023. Simona also has a background from working in the social care industry and as a Chef and Pastry Chef. In addition to her part-time role at Bridges Project, Simona is pursuing an MA in Learning in Communities at the University of Edinburgh.
Kelly Muir, Group Support Worker
Kelly co-delivers the Group Programme, which offers young people a variety of group activities and workshops aimed at helping them reduce their social isolation and improve their skills.
Kelly joined Bridges Project in 2024. She has previously worked as Manager of a soft play venue and as a Supply Classroom Assistant. Kelly also holds a degree in Psychology, with a specialisation in attachment theory and child development.
Grant Hamilton, Personal Development Worker
Our Personal Development Worker helps young people improve their mental health and confidence and cope with issues such as stress and anxiety.
Grant joined Bridges Project in January 2019, having worked for a number of years in Learning & Development and HR within the 5-star hospitality industry. He is accredited in training, management and coaching.
Niamh Mitchell, Support Worker (Young Carers)
Our Support Worker (Young Carers) supports young people with a caring responsibility to improve their wellbeing and educational achievements and to move on to further education and training.
Niamh joined Bridges Project in 2023. She brings with her experience of supporting young people who have experienced bereavement and of coaching young people in gymnastics. Niamh holds a degree in Criminology from Edinburgh Napier University.
Courtney Barr, Young Ambassadors Coordinator
Our Young Ambassadors Coordinator oversees the Young Ambassadors Programme. Courtney coordinates the programme alongside young people and supports them in contributing to Bridges Project’s strategic development and developing and delivering youth-led activities and services.
Courtney joined Bridges Project in September 2024. She brings experience of working with complex needs and emotional support as a youth worker in schools in East Lothian and Midlothian. Courtney holds a postgraduate degree in Educational Psychology.
Neil Maclean, Listening Peers Coordinator
Our Listening Peers Coordinator manages the peer mentoring programme for young people. Neil coordinates the programme alongside the young mentors; young people who have received Bridges Project support and who have experienced challenges themselves. Listening Peers gives young people a supportive role model who listens and gives them confidence, helps them tackle negative feelings and gives them advice on overcoming challenges and accessing other services.
Neil joined us in January 2019. He brings a wealth of experience in employability and training from working with private and third sector organisations across Scotland.