Our Team – Dr Bell’s Family Centre

Meet our team!

Our Office Team

Get to know Darcey

I’ve been doing Youth & Community work for over 15 years all over Edinburgh. I have also worked in Residential care, behavioural support schools and within Children & Families social work team. I have a degree in Community Learning and Development from the University of Dundee.

After graduating I worked at the Sick Kids Hospital as a Senior Development Worker, running a drop in centre and a programme of activities to support children, young people and their families throughout their hospital journey.

How do you support the Dr Bell’s team? “I manage the Community Development team and am responsible for the programme of activities. As part of the senior management team, I contribute to the strategic plans and finances. I am also the Child Protection officer.”
What do you like about working in the Leith community? – “Leith is where I first started doing Youth work when I was in high school doing my Initi8 programme and I always knew that I’d love to be back working in Leith. Leith has a great sense of community and is very welcoming. I love being back woking in Leith! “

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? – “My personal values align well with Dr Bell’s which is why I knew this was the perfect fit for me! I am passionate about ensuring that children and families have access to opportunities and their voices are heard.“

An interesting fact/quote:
“No one is born fully-formed: it is through self-experience in the world that we become what we are.”
~ Paulo Freire

Darcey is First Aid, Paediatric First Aid and Mental Health First Aid trained.

Get to know Kirstyn

I have worked in the hospitality/reception industry for over 12 years. I enjoy working with people and thrive on helping. I have a passion for mental health, and I am currently working towards becoming a qualified counsellor, having just completed my HNC.

How do you support the Dr Bell’s team? “I work on the reception and provide support with administration tasks throughout the centre. I also support at the Mindfulness Dip, and occasionally pop into other mental health groups, which I love.”

What do you like about working in the Leith community? “I have lived in Leith since I moved to Edinburgh 15 years ago and I love the sense of family and unity it promotes. It’s a wonderful place to live and it is great to give something back to that community”

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? “I started off as one of Dr Bells mums! The centre was a massive source of support and fun for me and my child, and I am so happy to be part of the team and have a chance to support other parents“

An interesting fact/quote:

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

~ Maya Angelou

Get to know Claire

Get to know Kushi

Our Community Development Team

Get to know Andy

I have 15+ years of experience working in settings such as Youth Work, Community Education, Social Work, and Child Protection. My previous role had a particular focus on Care Experienced Young People, and Kinship Care. Throughout my career, I have worked in Edinburgh & the Lothians, and Fife. I have worked with Dr Bell’s since August 2024.

How do you support the Dr Bell’s team?
‘I am the Family Support Officer and Dad’s Worker here at Dr Bells. My role is to provide 1-1 support to families that enables, empowers, and assists them to attend the centre and participate in our programmes; to undertake initial needs assessments and develop a support plan in partnership with the family and other agencies/professionals; to work in partnership with other third sector organisations and statutory services; and to maintain an up to date awareness of the full range of local resources and providers of services’.
What do you like about working in the Leith community? –
‘I grew up a Leither, so I take great pride in what Leith stands for, and the diversity that the community offers. I am forever grateful to be able to support families in Leith and make positive change’.

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? –
‘Dr Bell’s has supported families in Leith for almost 20 years. It is a bastion of hope for families who have come and gone over the years. I am proud to be a part of its legacy’.

An interesting fact & quote:
‘It’s a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you’ll be swept off to’ ~ Bilbo Baggins
Andy is First Aid and Paediatric First Aid trained.

Get to know Toni

My background is youth work & child development work across Midlothian and the Scottish Borders over the past 6 years. I have previously worked with young people with additional and behavioural support needs in various provisions within education and worked closely with children and families.

I have completed my BSc in Psychology at Edinburgh Napier University and completed additional well-being training courses with place2be.

How do you support the Dr Bell’s team?

What do you like about working in the Leith community “I have grown up with family connection in Leith and have always valued the strong sense of community and belonging. I’m really looking forward to being a part of Dr Bells and meeting the local community and the great opportunities it has to offer.”

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? “When the opportunity to work at Dr Bells came up I knew I credited the ethos and values that Dr Bells stand by. The opportunities that Dr Bells provides the local community encouraged me to want to work with a great team of people who value the importance of community.”

An interesting fact/quote: “A random fact about me is that I travelled to my favourite country, Thailand and volunteered in a elephant sanctuary. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had!”

“I believe everybody is creative and I value the importance of enhancing each and everyone’s artistic side! “

“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.” ~ Edwin Land

Toni is First Aid and Paediatric First Aid trained.

Get to know Chelsea

I am a first-year student on placement at the University of Edinburgh studying MA learning in communities. I have previously studied the NC and HNC working with communities at Edinburgh college. I have mostly been involved with youth work, I also attended groups for parents after having my son in 2019. I then saw the help and support available, which directed me into this organization.

How do you support the Dr. Bells team? “I will help support Dr. Bell’s by using my current knowledge from my degree programme, and I support groups during set up, evaluation and tidy up and offer support where I can or a listing ear to parents who attend.”

Why do you like working in Leith? “I love LEITH! It is full of diversity and a lot of different organizations in this area that support all kinds of needs, which I am glad to be a part of. I have lived in Leith for moat of my life and enjoy working with people of the community.”

What made you want to work with Dr. Bells? “I have attended groups at Dr. Bell’s and seeing the fun and support they offer, this was my first choice for my placement allocation and I am excited to grow my confidence and skills in family based work within the centre.”

An interesting fact or quote:

“We’re all in this together. Each and everyone of us can make a difference by giving back” ~ Beyonce

Get to know Tora

I am a second-year Community Learning and Development student at the University of Edinburgh. I previously gained my NC and HNC working with communities at Edinburgh College, which gave me the foundations for understanding the needs of the community. Over the past seven years, I have worked as a youth worker in high schools across Edinburgh. I developed skills in facilitating groups, mentoring young people, and working towards positive change. I am keen to gain experience working with families, which brought me to Dr Bells Family Centre.

What do you like about working in the Leith community?

“Having lived in Leith in my 20s and 30s, I’ve experienced firsthand its sense of community, diversity and the strong network of organisations working within it. My family has strong connections in Leith, some from years ago and some still living here.”

What made you want to do your placement at Dr Bells? “I know the great work of Dr Bells and their connection to families in Leith. Family work is new to me, so I was drawn to the opportunity to be part of the team. I am eager to develop my skills in family-focused work, share my experiences, and get to know the families attending Dr Bells.”

How do you support the team at Dr Bells? “During my placement, I will support the team during groups by assisting with set up, tidying up, and engaging with the families. I will bring a combination of knowledge from my HNC and current degree program, practical experience and personal insights from my journey in community work.”

An interesting fact or quote:

“Communities sustain life – not just by sheltering us but by fostering a spirit of togetherness” ~ Bell Hooks

Our Early Years Team

Get to know Megan

I have worked in Early Years for over 12+ years. I hold multiple early years qualifications alongside my HNC in Social Services and I recently completed my degree in Childhood Practice. I am passionate about early intervention and prevention and aim to implement approaches that enable the best support to be offered to children and their families. I strive to provide the best experiences for every child and family that walks through our door, while supporting my team to do the same.

What do you like about working in the Leith community? “The Leith Community is like nothing I have experienced around the rest of the city. The camaraderie and sense of togetherness is really great. It’s a wonderful experience to be a part of it through my work with Dr Bells.”

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? “I love working with children and had been craving for the opportunity to expand the support I could offer to the whole family so when the chance came up to work with Dr Bell’s I jumped at it! I have been a part of the team since 2018 and have seen the centre go from strength to strength. The work being carried out is invaluable and so many families benefit from it. I had a little girl at the start of the pandemic and through this experience I have gained a whole new level of understanding of what children and parent’s need. It also reaffirmed my belief in how important the support network around you is. Working here at Dr Bell’s I am able to support families at critical times in their life and seeing a family overcome adversities and reach their goals is incredibly fulfilling. Dr Bell’s has such an amazing team and I am so humbled to be a part of it.”

An interesting fact/quote: “For a small child there is no division between playing and learning; between the things he or she does ‘just for fun’ and things that are ‘educational.’ The child learns while living and any part of living that is enjoyable is also play.”

~ Penelope Leach

Megan is First Aid, Paediatric First Aid and Mental Health First Aid trained.

Get to know Amanda

I graduated from Edinburgh College with a HNC in Childhood Practice in 2019. Throughout my time at college I did placements at both public and private nurseries and also babysit for family and friends in my free time.

What do you like about working in the Leith community? “What I have seen and know of the Leith community is how accepting of everyone it is. Supporting each other within the community and feeling like you have someone to turn to if you are in need. Everyone is welcome here and I think that’s fantastic.”

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? “Dr Bell’s Message of inclusion is the main reason I wanted to work here. Everyone at Dr Bell’s is doing the absolute most to help as many families as possible, regardless of their background, to make them feel supported and accepted and I am thankful to be a part of a team with such strong values.”

An interesting fact/quote: “Every child has a different learning style. Each child is unique, not only capable of learning but also capable of succeeding” – Robert John Meehan

Amanda is Paediatric First Aid trained.

Get to know Rowan

I have worked in childcare for almost 4 years now. I have an SVQ in social services (children and young people) and have gained most of my experience from working as a nursery practitioner in a private nursery as well as baby sitting for family and friends.

What do you like about working in the Leith community? ‘I used to live in Leith with my family and spend a lot of time here as friends and family live here too. It was a great place to live, and I love its atmosphere so when the opportunity came up to work at Dr Bells, I couldn’t wait to start. I’m looking forward to giving back to the community and meeting new people.’

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? ‘I love everything that Dr Bell’s stands for and believe that everyone should be treated equally and fairly. I am also looking forward to gaining new experiences and learning new skills here at Dr Bell’s. My mum and grandma have worked in care my whole life and I see them as two people I look up to and where I have developed natural nurturing qualities from. I also seen how much Dr Bell’s helped my mum when my little brothers attended their creche and knew it was a place I wanted to work.’

An interesting fact/quote:

‘Be the person you needed when you were a child’.

Rowan is Paediatric First Aid trained.

Get to know Amy

My working background is in project work with children and young people, both in Scotland and Latin America. This has included project development; youth work; casework; and delivering workshops in schools. I’m also a children’s author, writing bilingual picture books and short stories.

What do you like about working in the Leith community? – “I used to live in Leith and enjoy being part of the community again – there’s something unique and special about it that I’ve not found elsewhere.”

What made you want to work at Dr Bell’s? – “
I like the inclusive, supportive atmosphere at Dr Bell’s, and its welcoming nature. I feel very lucky to have the chance to work with under-fives in the crèche, and support with the wide variety of groups available to families.”

An interesting fact/quote:
“I love all sorts of music and I’m a drummer in a samba band.”

Get to know Alice

Our Volunteers

Get to know Alyssa

Combining a love for music and education, I have worked in the music industry and education in both Scotland and New Zealand, helping aspiring musicians from all aspects of life achieve their goals and dreams.

What do you like about volunteering in the Leith community? “I have always lived in Leith since coming to Edinburgh as a student and loved it that much that I returned to Leith after living in New Zealand for a few years. There is a great sense of community and feels like a home away from home.”

What made you want to volunteer at Dr Bell’s? “Dr Bell’s was the first place that my daughter and I went when she was 3 months old. Having been anxious about leaving the house on my own, I was immediately put at ease by the warm and welcoming environment. Since then, my confidence grew, and I fully embraced being a mum. I hope that by being a part of the Dr Bell’s team, I can help others the same way.”

Our Peer Supporters

Get to know Jess

I live in Leith with my partner and our daughter. I’ve worked in the charity sector for 12 years, and currently work for Blood Cancer UK in the fundraising team. I recently completed my PG Cert in counselling at the University of Edinburgh before taking a break from studying to have my daughter. I’m hoping to complete my training to become a counsellor in the next few years.

How do you support the Dr Bell’s team? “I volunteer at Wee Feeders which is a weekly feeding support group. I support by helping to facilitate discussions within the group, sharing my own experiences of feeding my baby, signposting to services/information and listening to others share their stories.”

What do you like about being a peer support in the Leith Community? “I like being able to help others the way that I was helped when I first came to Dr Bells and the Wee Feeders sessions, as well as having the chance to meet more local families and feel part of the community.”

What made you want to be a peer supporter at Dr Bells? “I struggled a lot with feeding my daughter when she was first born, I breastfed her and whilst she was healthy and gaining weight, I found the challenges of feeding really hard to navigate and was really low in confidence. I came to a Wee Feeders session at Dr Bells and immediately felt so welcomed. I met other people in a similar position to me, and felt like I had a space to speak about everything I’d been experiencing. I left that first session feeling so much more confident in myself as a mother, and want to help others feel the same!”

An interesting fact/ quote: ‘Every time you feed, cuddle, and respond to your baby’s needs, you are building and reinforcing pathways in their brain. You’re not just growing their body, you’re building their brain.’ – Lucy Webber

Our Students

Get to know Rosie

I’ve been involved in Youth and Community work for over 10 years across different organisations in Edinburgh. My experience includes youth work, community engagement, and participation projects, supporting a wide range of groups and working alongside communities to help shape services and opportunities that matter to them.
I’m currently studying Community Development at the University of Glasgow and completing my placement at Dr Bell’s Family Centre.

What do you like about working in the Leith community?

“Having lived in Leith for most of my life, it feels really special to be doing my placement here. Leith has a strong sense of community, so many diverse voices, and a genuinely welcoming feel. Being able to give back to the place that shaped me means a lot.”

What made you want to do your placement at Dr Bells?

“I’m passionate about community led practice and making sure people feel heard, included, and supported. Dr Bell’s values align closely with my own, so it felt like the perfect place to learn, grow, and contribute.”

How do you support the team at Dr Bells?

“As a student on placement, I support the Community Development team with planning and delivering activities, engaging with families, and helping with participation and community led projects. I’m here to learn, contribute, and support the brilliant work already happening at the Centre.“

An interesting fact or quote:

“Alone we can do so little together we can do so much” – Helen Keller

Get to know Rosie

I am a second-year Community Learning and Development student at the University of Edinburgh. I previously gained HNC working with communities at Edinburgh College, which gave me the foundations for understanding the needs of the community. I have a passion for community work since becoming a youth worker, in the southwest of Edinburgh working mostly in the Wester Hailes area for a charity The Wee Haven Youth Project. I developed skills in leading and facilitating groups, mentoring young people, and working towards positive change in the community. My own professional development has grown massively over the past few years, and I am keen to gain a new experience working with families, which brought me to Dr Bells Family Centre. 

 What do you like about working in the Leith community?

“My placement last year was in the north of Edinburgh, this was the first time I branched out from my usual community, and I very quickly felt apart of a new community. The people where so lovely and I could see how much they care about there community. I am looking forward to exploring this part of Edinburgh more during my time on placement at Dr Bells.”

What made you want to do your placement at Dr Bells?

“I know the great work of Dr Bells and their connection to families in Leith. I was keen to do my placement here last year and I am grateful for the opportunity. Family work is new to me, so I was drawn to the chance to try something new and develop my skills more.”

How do you support the team at Dr Bells?

“During my placement, I will support the team during groups by assisting with set up, tidying up, and engaging with the families. I will bring a combination of knowledge from my current degree program and be open to learn new skills along the way.”

An interesting fact or quote:

“This summer I spent time in Tanzania and Zanzibar, in Africa. Doing a childcare programme along with women’s outreach. My focus was helping in a school with children aged 1-5, supporting teaching to make a difference to their futures. This experience made me open to do more family work when I came back home, which has lead me to do my placement here at Dr Bells.”