Meet Marianne

Marianne Prentice is a familiar face to many regular visitors to Clober Farm as she has been the Housekeeper there for the past three years. Marianne ensures that the rooms are cleaned and prepared and welcomes guests on arrival. She is also on hand to explain the workings of the kitchen equipment and other technology at the accommodation. Married with a family, Marianne lives only minutes away from Clo ber Farm in Milngavie, which is useful when she needs to be available for flexible arrival times.

Marianne said: “Although it is a part-time role, I am kept busy as, in addition to the guests, I get involved with the fantastic team at ‘Milngavie in Bloom’, who run the gardening events at Clober, vital in keeping the extensive garden in good shape. I also enjoy hosting the visits from Clober Primary Schoo l. Two children from each class at the school come along and see what disabled living can be like, away from an often intimidating medical environment. The children seem to get a lot from the visits.” Marianne is also Activities Co-ordinator at the Spinal Unit in Glasgow, a pilot role introduced in June last year. On most Sunday afternoons Marianne can be found organising all sorts of things with patien ts at the Unit, either in groups or one-to-one activities. “In the past eight months I have met and worked with 20-30 patients. I really enjoy the role and seeing the individuals become more relaxed about getting out and about, maybe on visits to a coffee shop or a supermarket. Even the smallest of tasks can highlight dexterity issues and I can be there to help and build confidence.” Marianne can help to arrange everything from board games, pool tournaments and visits to many locations outside the Unit. She has arranged for gardening sessions at the Unit where one patient was able to get mud underneath his fingernails for the first time in many months, having previously been an accomplished gardener before his spinal injury.

Contact Marianne on marianne@sisonline.org if you want to know more about Clober Farm or the Sunday activities that are possible at the Unit.