Meet the Team
Gareth Jenkins
Project Manager
Gareth joined the team in March 2019 having worked for many years in education, training and sports development.
Since 2015, he project managed a charity improving the health and well being of people with disabilities/long-term medical conditions and brings empathy and reassurance to our parents from his previous experiences as a widower, single parent and step-parent to 3 sons and 2 daughters.
A keen runner, he is a Trustee and Chair of Moray Road Runners (SCIO SC049049) and still competes regularly at various events across Scotland.
Vikki McRitchie
Family Worker
Vikki attended Step by Step in 2017 through to 2020 as a first time parent and returned with her youngest daughter in 2022. When an opportunity arose to work with the team she jumped at the chance.
Vikki loves to listen to parents and support them just like she was supported when she attended and has a passion for supporting children’s growth and wellbeing.
When she’s not running around after her three daughters, Vikki likes to spend time with her family and friends and keeping fit and active.
Margaret McInnes
Team Leader
Margaret has worked at Step by Step since the early days. She has established the ethos of being ‘alongside parents, providing light touch’ guidance and support.
She supports our Family Workers and valued volunteers and inspires us all by her attentiveness and commitment to our families.
Siobbhan Ryder
Forres Family Worker
Siobbhan began volunteering for SbyS just before March 2020 and felt very at home with all the staff and other volunteers.
It was obvious to her the huge benefit and enjoyment the families gained from weekly meetings. The opportunity came up to become a member of staff working with families in Forres and Siobbhan jumped at the chance to support the community as part of this well established and respected organisation.
Tracy Sinclair
Family Worker
Tracy runs our First Steps groups at Victoria House on a Tuesday and Thursday and our Pregnancy Support Groups on a Monday and Wednesday.
Parents value her Step by Step groups and individual support. Tracy is a gymnastics coach who runs her own club, she enjoys teaching children.
Hazel Shand
Elgin Family Worker
Hazel has previously worked in the NHS and in Education with children and young people.
She first became involved in Step by Step in 2013 as a volunteer and has also served on the board of trustees.
Hazel works with our 1–3 year-olds. She enjoys fostering a nurturing environment where parents, children, volunteers and staff can flourish and develop.
Wendy Clarihew
Charity Administrator
Wendy attended Step by Step with her daughter in 2018 and now joins us as a member of staff. She is the face at the door and looks forward to welcoming you with a smile.
She provides administrative support to all our staff and trustees. She keeps track of our finances, record-keeping and administers our popular closed Facebook group.
Dawn Alexander
Forres Family Worker
Dawn started off her journey with Step By Step in 2015 when she came along to the group with her then baby daughter.
When she went off to Nursery, Dawn wasn’t quite ready to leave so became a volunteer with us in January 2018. She then volunteered with us up until August 2019 when she had a break due to her second baby being due.
Dawn then returned with her son and was a volunteer peer support worker to the other parents attending group. Dawn enjoys providing a listening ear to others and is delighted to be part of the Step by Step team. Dawn leads the Wednesday afternoon group in Forres and supports Siobbhan with the Wednesday morning group. She also leads the Monday morning and afternoon groups in Elgin.
Ann Walker
Play Worker
Ann became a member of the staff team in April 2018. She had been a regular volunteer and enjoyed it so much that when the chance came along, she joined us as staff. Ann loves seeing parents and children joining in the creative play sessions and seeing how happy and proud they feel with the keepsakes they’ve made together.