Catherine is also chairperson of Harestanes Tenants and Residents Association and volunteers at Twechar Day Care Centre.

She has two grown-up children, Stephen and Lorraine.

How long have you been involved with the tenants association?
We started the association up a few months ago and I was appointed as the chairperson.

What issues do you tackle?
We want to improve the area as we felt Harestanes was going downhill a bit with problems such as graffiti and parking problems.
Other issues that have been raised include recycling, refuse collections and a lack of play facilities.
We meet once a month in Harestanes Primary School and we are appealing for members of the community to come along and get involved.
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 10 at 7pm.

Where did you work before you retired?
I worked as a nurse for the NHS for 37 years specialising in learning disabilities and mental health.
I worked in Lennox Castle, Woodilee Hospital and latterly Stobhill Hospital, in acute admission wards.

What were the best parts of your job?
I loved all the work I did, even though parts of it were quite challenging.
It was nice to see someone getting better until they were well enough to be discharged.

Did you see a lot of changes in mental health care in your time as a nurse?
Yes. It is fantastic to think we have adapted to deal with people with mental health issues in a more humane way and many of them can lead a normal life within the community.
There used to be a stigma attached to people experiencing mental health issues and that has changed a lot.

What did you do when you retired?
I worked with an East Dunbartonshire Volunteer Centre befriending service called 'Forget Me Not'. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

What did that involve?
I would visit and telephone people over 65 who were on their own. It could be quite challenging as a lot of them were house bound.
Many of these people were very isolated and lonely.
It seemed a natural transition after that to get involved with
Twechar Day Care Centre.

What is the role of Twechar Day Care Centre?
It is a service for older people where they can socialise and share experiences.
They can learn new skills, go on trips and get advice and information.
We have a couple of laptops and members recently used the Friends Reunited website for the first time.

How did you get involved with the senior's forum?
My befriending work got me interested in issues that affect older people and I went along to the forum to find out more about people's concerns.
I enjoyed it so much I joined the forum and then became the chairperson.

What does the forum do?
It gives over 55s a platform and voice about issues that affect them. We campaign to try to improve services in the local area for elderly people.
The group allows people to share their experiences and we have guest speakers who give advice and information.
Many people assume that because you are elderly you don't have an opinion.
However, elderly people have a great life experience and they deserve respect.

Do you have any hobbies?
I love going on city breaks and travelling. I recently went to New York with my daughter which was fantastic.
I plan to go to Poland next and I would like to visit Auschwitz when I am there.
I am interested in history and when the Anne Frank touring exhibition came to the area I volunteered to help with it.
I also enjoy genealogy and watching football.

Did you discover anything interesting whilst doing your family tree?
My grandfather was shot in France during WWI, which I discovered in an old copy of the Kirkintilloch Herald in the library.

Getting to know you
First car: Hillman Imp
First record: Foot Tapper by The Shadows
Book currently reading: 'Shame' by Jasvinder Sanghera
Favourite holiday destination: Amsterdam
Favourite tv programme: forensic programmes such as CSI
Famous person most like to meet: Mick Jagger