Our staff team

Carole Zagrovic - York Carers Centre Manager

Carole Zagrovic joined us at the end of July and has 25 years charity work experience. She has worked for a wide range of charities, from small and local to large national campaigning organisations, across the north east of England. 
 
“Having caring responsibilities myself I am thrilled to be offered the job of manager of York Carers Centre. I am looking forward and to working closely with carers and organisations throughout York, and progressing the great work already done by our committed and hard working team. ” 
 
Carole has supported grass root community development work, particularly in areas suffering from high levels of deprivation. She has worked with disadvantaged communities, including young people, and has had various volunteer positions and trustee roles. We will also benefit from her success in securing substantial amounts of funding for charities. 

Leah Furniss - Deputy manager

New in post

Adult Information and Advice Team

Jill McMahon – Senior Information Advice and Benefits Worker

Just call me Jill.
Hi my name is Jill McMahon ( pronounced McMarn), I have been the new Senior Information Advice and Benefits Worker since 20/10/08. As so many struggle with my surname just calling me Jill is fine.
I have been an advice worker for many years at Citizens Advice Bureaux, Age Concerns and Councils. Although I have advised on a wide range of subjects I am most interested in benefits and community care issues.
I originate from Leeds where I have had a variety of caring roles for friends and various family members. I also used to run/volunteer for a learning difficulties children’s group including taking the group to France to Parc Asterix.
I have problems with my hearing and this led me into learning sign language and I studied this up to level 2 although I feel I am a bit rusty at the moment. I have lots of interests including walking, reading, and singing in a choir, card making and other crafts. I can also be found Morris dancing on the occasion of Whitby folk festival.

Young Carers Team

Liz Langwade - Senior Young Carer Worker (maternity cover)

My name is Liz Langwade and I have worked at the carers centre since Sept ’08. My role is to co-ordinate the Young Carers Service for under 18’s and I also supervise the work with 18-25 yr old carers. I have a BA (hons) in Journalism and Marketing – please look out for my skills in the young carer newsletter, only joking! In the two years before joining the carers centre I worked for a high street bank in various locations across North Yorkshire. I have also worked with young people and travelled all over the USA, where I qualified as a lifeguard and swimming teacher and gained experience teaching platform diving, sailing and kayaking. In my spare time I like to (try) keeping fit, laughing as much as possible and never missing an episode of Coronation Street.

Sharron Smith - is on maternity leave

Vanessa Emslie - Activities Co-ordinator

Hi, my name’s Vanessa (better known as Ness) and I’ve been working at York Carers Centre since January 2010. As the Activity Coordinator for the Young Carers Service I’m responsible for organizing the monthly Laffs (laughs, advice, fun, friendship and support) groups, activities and residential trips for 8-18 year olds.
I graduated from the University of Exeter in 2008 with a BA (HONS) in Drama but turned down a part on Coronation Street for this job (only kidding). I am also a qualified playworker and have worked with children aged 5-11 for the past 3 years and with a variety of young people in many different settings. Last year I backpacked around New Zealand for 3 months and then took part in a challenging voluntary programme called Global Xchange, which was fantastic. As part of this programme I volunteered in Wales for 3 months working with homeless adults and people with mental health issues and then went to Zambia for 3 months where I worked with victims of domestic abuse.
In my spare time I enjoy swimming, being outdoors, going to see live music and watching 24! I’m really enjoying working at the Centre alongside a team of hardworking and dedicated colleagues and spending time with the young carers. If you have any thoughts or ideas for activities in the future, please let me know!

Jess Greebwood - Young Carer Worker

Hayley Robson-Grant –  Young Carer Worker

Office-based staff

Sarah Lewis – Office Co-ordinator

Hi my name is Sarah Lewis and I am the Office Co-ordinator at York Carers Centre. I am the longest serving member of staff and have been with the Carers Centre for 10 years. In 1999 I joined as the Centre Administrator and then moved to the role of Office Co-ordinator in 2004. My job is varied and interesting. Apart from admin based responsibilities such as updating and maintaining the Centre’s database I am the project worker for the Carers Emergency Card Scheme assisting carers to register an ‘emergency plan’.
I enjoy working with York Carers Centre staff, being part of a service committed to raising the profile of unpaid carers and helping carers get the support they need.
Previously I have worked in the education sector which has included working with young people aged 16-18 on a youth training scheme and for a university careers service advising students about career opportunities. Immediately prior to working for the Carers Centre I worked for the Funding Agency for Schools which was a Government department responsible for distributing funds to the Grant Maintained Schools sector.
I have been married for 22 years and have a son and a daughter. We moved to York fourteen years ago when we purchased a plot of land and self-built our house, an on-going project still not quite finished!

Karen Barker – Admin Support Worker

Hi my name is Karen Barker. I am the Admin Support Worker with the team and have worked at York Carers Centre since 2004. I first studied Art and Design at York College but eventually moved into the area of healthcare. I have worked for North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust for the past 11 years in which time I have worked in quite a few different health-care settings and this has given me good experience.
I first became aware of the issues faced by carers when I studied for a course in Health and Social Care with the Open University. I then started in my current role with the Carers Centre and have really enjoyed being able to work more closely with carers.
My job involves providing admin support to the team as a whole. I also act as first point of contact to carers who may need help and advice. It may be that you are new to caring and are not sure who to turn to for support, or you may have been in a caring role for some time. Whatever your situation we are always here to help and listen.

Julie Sharp - Receptionist

Hello my name is Julie and I joined York Carers Centre in December as receptionist having previously worked for a York charity for the last 12 years. Just to tell you a bit about myself, with my husband I organise the care of my brother in law Richard who had a brain injury some years ago. I am also kept busy volunteering for the Leeds branch of Headway-the brain injury association mainly helping to organise social events for carers and survivors.

Sarah Fitsell - Carers Information Development Worker