MEET THE TEAM
JACKIE TOLLAND
Chief Executive Officer
Jackie started her journey with PNS in 1994 where she was introduced to the programme working as a Community Development Worker in Drumchapel. As a fully trained facilitator and trainer, she knows the importance of family life and is a firm believer in building strong positive relationships and building confidence and skills for parents. Jackie’s background is in Community Development and she has had the experience of living and working in Glasgow, Northumberland and Brixton. A Winston Churchill Travelling Fellow, she is taking what she has learned to further her passion in reaching out to as many families as possible and helping them build powerful, positive relationships. Jackie likes to go walking, and can be seen breaking into a run every now and again!
JEN MCALLISTER
Team Facilitator
I have two boys 9 and 7 years have worked for Parent Network Scotland for around 3 years.
What most attracted me to PNS was the peer support, being around other parents and being able to share all the joys of parenting, as well as the struggles. When I attended the Parenting Matters course I felt like I had found where I was meant to be. My passion is in helping parents better understand their families and their own needs, and watching them leave our courses with a smile.
Facilitating has given me so much confidence and helped me grow as a person. I love starting a new project, meeting new people and helping others start on their PNS journey.
I love spending time with my kids and husband. We go on lots of walks with our rescue dog.
JOHANNA QUINNEY
Team Facilitator
Johanna is our Facilitator up in the Highlands and Moray, where she has lived for 23 years - the same amount of years she's been involved in Parent Network. Having moved to Scotland with three children and overwhelmed with parenting and a new home, she went on her first Parenting Matters course and hasn't looked back, training as a facilitator two years after completing her first course. Johanna now has five children, two are still teenagers and three that have flown the nest.
Her passion is to see the potential in all parents, offer a listening ear - and the Parent Network tools. Knowing that the course served her so well, she feels honoured to walk that path alongside other parents and catch the moments when a parent senses a shift in their relationship with their child, and with themselves. She loves travelling, cycling to the beach for a walk, and connecting with friends and family.
ALISON HOLMS
Financial Administrator
As the Financial Administrator I ensure that our Finances are always in good order. With 26 years
experience supporting the voluntary sector I thrive with attention to detail and seeing the difference my
work makes to the parents across Scotland.
I first joined Parent Network Scotland in 2015 and have recently returned to the Third Sector as I missed working with the families.
In my spare time I love to socialise with family and travelling both at home and abroad.
DAVID ASHURST
I am delighted to have recently start as a Facilitator within Parent Network. I have over 20 years experience working in Glasgow’s Third Sector, both paid and voluntary, in a variety of different areas including working with asylum seekers, parents and families and volunteering with Citizen’s Advice. My more immediate background has been helping to develop and deliver therapeutic groupwork for children and young people. Through this, I have been inspired to take on a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the skills from which I look forward to using with the parents participating in our programmes. Outside of work I enjoy playing tennis, sci-fi and watching as much motorsport as possible!
CRISSIE GRANT
My journey at PNS started nearly 3 years ago with the wellbeing toolkit and since then I have worked my way through every course in the Parent Academy. I have developed new skills and confidence and am delighted to now be working as a facilitator. After 14 years of being a stay at home parent to two children, PNS has helped me to unlock my potential and find a way to do something I’m really passionate about.
In my spare time I love reading, crocheting and spending time with family and friends.
MARGARET ELLIOT
Progress for Parents Key Worker
I really enjoy my work with Parent Network Scotland networking with other great organisations, working with the PNS team and meeting parents on a one-to-one support basis and seeing them join the Wellbeing Toolkit and accredited courses such as Parent Matters.
Progress for Parents service we run is a partnership with support agencies such as Enable, Enable Works, Families in Trauma, One Parent Families and we have a Welfare Rights Officer, employability, help into further education and volunteering throughout Glasgow.
I enjoy meeting parents, supporting them into whatever they need and seeing their progression as well as confidence and happiness, not just for them but for their children and family too.
JENNIFER CALDWELL
Trainee facilitator
A very grateful mum of one. I am so excited to be given the opportunity to work with Parent Network Scotland through Jobs and Business Glasgow. I am currently training to be a facilitator and have absolutely loved being part of the PNS team. I enjoylearning and growing as a parent, gaining new skills and helping others in their journey. In my spare time I like to get out and about with my wee one, catch up with family and friends. Long walks and keeping fit.
