Scotland team celebrates colleague of 34 years

Colleagues and people we support in Kirkcudbright came together over the weekend to host a surprise retirement party for Service Leader, Heather Birnie, celebrating her dedication and commitment to our sector over the past three decades.

With an extraordinary 34-year career in social care, Heather began her journey as a Support Worker in Kirkcudbright, before being promoted to Care Home Manager and then Service Leader at our School Close supported living service. During this time, Heather has grown into an inspirational leader and mentor for both colleagues and the people she has supported.

Over the course of her career, Heather has shown great passion and dedication to the people she supports and her colleagues and has played an active role in encouraging her teams to further their careers in social care and take their leadership skills to the next level.

She has also been shortlisted as a finalist in the Positive Impact category at the Scottish Care’s at Home and Housing Support Awards 2025 taking place this Friday.

Heather said, “I couldn’t have asked for a better community to work with during these 34 years at Community Integrated Care! What makes our charity special is our collective commitment to putting the people we support first, building real relationships, showing kindness and making a difference every single day. I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and the experiences the charity has given me and have loved every second in my role. I was over the moon with my surprise party – it made me feel very appreciated and was the perfect send off.”

Rachel Fourie, Regional Manager at Community Integrated Care, said: “”Heather is the most passionate person when it comes to the people she has supported over the last 34 years and ensuring that everyone lives really full and brilliant lives. She’s had a huge impact on so many other people that she’s worked with throughout her career too – from colleagues to family members. She lives and breathes best lives possible and exudes our charity’s values through and through.”