Marilyn McCann - Matron

I have worked as the Matron of Braeside House, and its predecessor Canaan Home, since 1996. Prior to this I was a ward sister at Falkirk Royal Infirmary. During my time with the NHS, I worked in a variety of areas before working in the acute medical setting. I also spent time at the Burns and Plastic Surgery Unit in Bangour General Hospital. This has given me a wealth of general nursing and life experience. In my role as Manager of the Home I oversee all the day to day management of the Home as well as any nursing care undertaken outwith Braeside House. My aims are to ensure the ongoing high standard of care at the Home continues and to make each resident feel a valued member of our small community.

Eileen Graham - Administrative Assistant

I joined the Royal Blind in 1987 as an Enrolled Nurse at the Thomas Burns Home; I then qualified as a Staff Nurse when working in Canaan Home. I am usually the first point of contact at Braeside and as well as contributing to the smooth running of the home I look after the residents’ accounts and personal details. I feel that my years of nursing in the home have enabled the residents to feel confident in approaching me with any day to day concerns that they may have.

Morag Francis - Deputy Matron

I have many years experience caring for older people. I have been with the organisation since 1992, initially as a Staff Nurse then as Sister, taking up my present post as Education Coordinator in January 2003. Prior to working for the Royal Blind I worked in St Andrew's Hospice in Lanarkshire. Each post has facilitated my learning and understanding of the many and varied needs of the Visually Impaired. My primary aim is to ensure that the staff are given every educational opportunity in order for them to maintain the high standard of care delivered at Braeside House.

Kate Ritchie - Sister

I joined the Royal Blind at Canaan Home in 1997 as a Staff Nurse and am now a Sister. My nursing career started in 1968 at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and since then has been varied, covering surgical nursing, midwifery, neonatal, paediatric cardiothoracic, cancer nursing and a period in Ethiopia. My last employment in the NHS was as a District Nursing Sister. I have worked in care of the elderly since 1990 in various nursing homes. I view my role as Sister to coordinate and enable the holistic care of those residents for whom I am responsible, working towards an environment in which they will feel at home.

Serena Allen - Sister

I qualified as a Staff Nurse from North Lothian College of Nursing in 1981. My first job was in an acute surgical ward at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, moving then to anaesthetic recovery which included experience in a small intensive care unit. A year in minor operation theatre and recovery followed before I left on maternity leave. I have worked in care of the elderly since 1991, on both day and night duty, in a number of Nursing Homes in Edinburgh. I have previous management experience and am now Sister on the lower floor at Braeside. I value greatly the intrinsic rewards of caring for older people and very much enjoy working here. My priority is to ensure that residents are treated as individuals and given respect. My team of nurses and carers are fully committed and together bring a wide range of different skills and qualities to their daily work.

Lynn Drummond - Activities Organiser

Since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art I have worked with the elderly for over 10 years in many roles - as a domestic, carer, deputy care manager and currently as an Activities Organiser. I have worked with the Royal Blind for over 8 years and am familiar with their needs. I started my present post in 2001 and find the position very rewarding. My aim is to continue to develop the activities offered at Braeside, encouraging individual interests as well as group events. My hope is that residents will feel part of the home, enjoying their stay here.

Liz Munro - Physiotherapist

I joined the Royal Blind at Canaan Home in 1996. Prior to that I had spent 14 years working with the elderly in Queensberry House Hospital - now the site of the Scottish Parliament. My previous experience was 11 years in Orthopaedics at Princess Margaret Rose Hospital and before that at Bridge of Earn Hospital in Perthshire following my training at Aberdeen School of Physiotherapy. My aim at Braeside is to keep the residents as mobile as possible within their capabilities. Keeping the body active also keeps the mind active; this in turn improves a person's general wellbeing - no matter what their age.