Team RagTag
Our Directors
Our Directors are volunteers who bring different skills and experience to RagTag.
They are collectively responsible for the charity’s good governance, overall management and strategic development. Many Directors also operate as volunteers to support our workshops and sales activities. If you are interested in joining the Board please see link to Board support.
Helynn MacLeod – Chair
I’ve always volunteered since leaving school but after I lost my husband, I didn’t feel ready to go back to work. RagTag has allowed me to work in various voluntary positions and I feel the benefits of being part of a close team and helping others. I enjoy the challenges it brings being a board member and learning new craft skills.
Julie Phillips – Treasurer
Following a move to Skye and a decision to forgo working for a living, I had free time on my hands and it was just by chance I heard about RagTag and Textile. The rest, as they say, is history and all the knowledge and experience from my working life could be put to use in a more meaningful way. Crafting is a big use of my downtime which I love to share and now embraces upcycling and repurposing clothing which fits in well with the ethos of RagTag.
Sue Geale – Secretary
Prior to moving to Skye in 2015, I worked as a senior manager in a University library for many years. On Skye I was fortunate to find a role in one of the islands excellent museums. Having now retired I am pleased to use my communication skills, and experience of staff management and strategic planning as a member of the RagTag Board. In return RagTag offers me the opportunity to meet new people and try many new crafts!
Emma Dallorzo-Hanley - Director
Since moving to Skye I have been interested in the work of RagTag having had a 20+ year career in NHS mental health services. I am also a keen amateur crafter and have a particular interest in repurpose and recycling to avoid unnecessary waste and production. RagTag’s ethos was a natural fit for me and I was delighted to become a board member.
Gill Terry - Director
I am one of the longest serving board members at RagTag. I have a background in scientific research and teaching and came to Skye in 1997. My main responsibilities are researching and writing grant proposals and liaising with external funders and advisers. I also help to run the public craft workshops and drop-in events, and my lived experience of mental illness and recovery assist in delivering mental health awareness training to staff and volunteers.
Our Employees
Our dedicated team is the heart of our organisation. We have several committed employees who work to promote mental and social well-being in our community. Together, we collaborate to offer support, training, and creative up-cycling opportunities, making a positive impact on the Isle of Skye and beyond.
RagTag and Textile Ltd is committed to the Scottish Government’s Fair Work First Policy. We confirm that we pay our staff the Real Living Wage. We also confirm our commitment to ensuring our employees and volunteers have an Effective Workers Voice.
Heather Beaton - Senior Tutor
Originally from Fife, I moved to Skye and Lochalsh a few years ago and fell in love with the place. Although the move was due to pursuing a career in teaching, I have made a lovely group of friends; pursued my interests in reading books, walking, crafting, dancing; and I have raised a family. It is my love of crafting that allowed me to discover RagTag and eventually work with this fantastic charity. As Senior Tutor I get to use my skills and knowledge of health and wellbeing in order to support the students, within this crafting and creative environment. I love trying out any and all crafts including wet and dry felting, making clothes for myself and my family, paper crafts, cross-stitch and even a little bit of macrame. It is great to have the opportunity to learn from others, share my interests and develop my own, and others, creative side.
Megan MacQuarrie - Office Administrator
I moved to Skye with my family when I was a child. Later I started attending the RagTag workshops and enjoyed meeting people and creating things. In addition to the workshops, I began to work in the RagTag shop two days a week as part of Community Jobs Scotland. I went on to do a Modern Apprenticeship and I was promoted to Office Administrator, running the RagTag office and the shop.
Helen Wilson - Tutor
I am currently working with the mental health charity RagTag in Broadford as a craft Tutor. I enjoy all different types of crafts and I have a real passion for card making and all things paper craft. I love reading and I also have a passion for gardening and growing cut flowers from seed.
Elisabeth Calippe - Tutor
Born and raised in Austria, I was introduced to crafts and handwork at a very young age, both at home and in school. My love for creating outfits for my dolls and stuffed animals as well as crafting handmade gifts for the whole family transformed into making outfits, toys and diapers for my children when they were born and later adding to my own wardrobe. I particularly enjoy knitting, crochet and sewing, but also like to dabble in a variety of other crafts including but not exclusive to weaving, felting, fabric painting and dyeing, always looking for new ideas and learning new techniques.
I moved to Skye in 2019, having fallen in love with the hills, the sea and Highland hospitality. Having experienced both physical and mental health struggles myself and raising an autistic son, I am very familiar with the challenges people can meet, so when the opportunity arose to combine my love for crafting with supporting other people in their journey, I was happy to join RagTag in providing a safe and nurturing space for our students.
Our Volunteers
RagTag has a great team of volunteers who support our range of activities; assisting in our craft workshops, looking after our garden, sorting incoming donations for our shop and serving shop customers. We welcome all those who are interested in volunteering with us. More information link to volunteering support.
