About Us
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Cathrina is the founder of Retain Wellbeing CIC (Community Interest Company) which aims to provide sustainable community based initiatives in our locality. Over the last 25 years Cathrina has established highly reputable specialist dementia support services in Cheshire & Wirral . In 2015, Cathrina collaborated with a Wirral-based charity and instigated the formation of GIFT Network to help tackle social isolation in marginalised groups. GIFT Network maintains a presence in South Wirral to this day and a second GIFT project operates in Winsford; now run by volunteers . The learning from this has enabled Cathrina to refine Retain Wellbeing’s approach to support for those impacted by life with dementia symptoms, those with mental health conditions in later life, the impact of social isolation and those who are impacted by loss. Passionate about health improvement, wellbeing, innovation and, crucially, the input from those receiving support and those who are significant to them; Cathrina takes time to engage with individuals to ensure all support is person centred. Cathrina is also the Admiral Nurse Team Leader for the Dementia Resource Community and her extensive partnership working approaches have proved a successful model to highlight the needs of our communities when faced with life changing circumstances. She has carried out extensive research on various approaches to social isolation . Cathrina is committed in her quest to develop more evidence-based approaches to tackle the growing concern around social isolation in our society alongside her fellow directors. -
Caroline has worked in all three sectors of business, i.e. public, private and charitable/not for profit. After completing her degree in Business, she worked her way up in health and fitness and then in the Family Entertainment business. She worked as the Facilities Manager for Mersey Ferries and was responsible for all operational aspects of the three Ferry Terminals, U-boat Story Visitor Attraction and Spaceport, as well as being the Contracts Manager…
After almost ten years working for Mersey Ferries, she wanted to work in a field where people would benefit from her experience and accepted the post of Area Manager for Alternative Futures Group (AFG).
AFG supports adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs (including dementia), acquired brain injuries and autism, to live as independently as possible. They support people to maintain tenancies of their own in small group houses, to give families some hours of respite through outreach support and to ensure all have the opportunity to connect to their community. The age range that Caroline supported covered 18-89 years old. She oversaw the support for those who just needed help paying bills and living safely, to those who would offer challenging behaviour when upset and those requiring personal care and additional needs, such as peg feeds and insulin administration. It was during her time with AFG that she completed her QCF level 5 in Leadership and Management in Social Care.
A restructure of the organisation resulted in Caroline looking for further opportunities and, since she sincerely believes in the ethos of maintaining wellbeing for all, accepted the role of Service Development Manager with Retain Wellbeing CIC.
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Myles has a background in the IT and entertainment sectors before moving into Health and Social Care. He is passionate about improving people’s lives and ensuring that those working in Health and Social Care are equipped to make best use of their collective skills and resources to improve outcomes for individuals.
