Meet The Team

Clare Jamieson – Manager

I have worked at CY since September 2007 and have done a few different jobs during this time. In my role as Manager, I am responsible for the overall running of the organisation, making sure we are supporting children and young people the best way we can. My favourite thing about working at CY is that no day is the same and you never quite know what you will be involved with next.

Jax Weir – Deputy Manager

My work began here at CY at the end of August 2023. I am focused on making sure every young person in Edinburgh and across Scotland is safe and able to thrive in life.
I am always passionate about working on strengthening partnerships and growing networks, connecting with charities and local organisations around to provide a collection of innovative projects and services.
I have a background in young people services, drug and alcohol services, family work, bereavement, homelessness, group facilitation, and counselling.
For the past decade I have been involved with working across the UK at music events and festivals, providing safeguarding and welfare support.

Freddy Makuwa – Finance and Admin Coordinator

Catherine McMillan – Youth Development Worker 

I have worked at Canongate Youth since May 2014. As a Youth Development Worker I support young people in school via our Wellbeing Mentor project. The best part of the job is seeing the change in young people from the start of working with them to the end and the relationships built with them in the meantime. I also have a great team that I work with and there is never a dull moment in the office

Suzanne Quinan – Senior Youth Development Worker

I have worked at Canongate for too many years to mention – let’s just say I’ve been here the longest and can’t go onto the front street without meeting a stream of young people or family members past and present. Over the years my role has been that of generic youth worker working in both our open community provision and providing services to local schools through group work and one to one support. In recent years, my role has changed with the focus now entirely on school based work, but also offering groupwork programmes during school time, here at CY. The groups here at CY, working alongside one of my colleagues or a member of school staff, are probably my favourite part of this. I love having the opportunity to work in such a positive way with young people and hope to continue to do so for many more years!

Sima Carrasco – Wellbeing Worker

I started working at CY in September 2018. My role as a Wellbeing Worker involves developing and delivering 1-1 and group sessions for young people. My favourite part about my job is seeing young people becoming more confident and finding strategies to cope with difficulties. I enjoy being part of such a fantastic team.

Kirsty Tough – Youth Worker

I started off at CY as a young person and was given the opportunity to volunteer in the clubs which then turned into becoming a full member of the team. I have now worked at CY since 2017. I enjoy working at CY as no two days are the same. Seeing the young people grow into teenagers, then young adults, and finding themselves as a person is lovely to see.

Eli Fechlie – Youth Development Worker

I have worked at CY since 2018. I’m responsible for the development and delivery of a programme of support and activities for children and young people aged between 7-12. I mainly work in schools offering one to one support and group work. The best bit about my job is building positive relationships with children, young people, and their families!

Lewis Adams – Youth Worker

I have worked at CY since 2016 – firstly as a member of the Old School Cafe team and now as a youth worker in the clubs.

Bonny Third – Youth Development Worker

I started at Canongate Youth as a Youth Development Worker in September 2022 delivering the youth work programme. I love seeing how excited the young people are to come into CY for the clubs. I’ve had a range of youth work experience and I’m really passionate about young people having a safe space to have fun, build relationships and grow. I’m delighted to work at CY and to be part of the amazing team!