The East and Central Sutherland Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) have made two new appointments at the top of the organisation.
The new Chairperson is Rebecca Machin and new treasurer is Myra Clark.
Mrs Machin is a well known face across Sutherland having been a teacher in Kinlochbervie and Dornoch Academy as well as a head teacher in Lochaber.
Mrs Clark is another familiar face to the people of East and Central Sutherland where she was manager of TYKES, The Young Karers of East Sutherland, from its inception in 2005 until her retirement from the post in 2022.
Machin said of her appointment:
“It is a huge honour to be taking over as Chairperson.
“I was initially involved with the CAB as a volunteer and was surprised and delighted when the move onto the board was suggested.
“I want to thank my predecessor Ruwan Uduwerage-Perera for his hard work over the last 7 years, initially as a board member and then as chair.
“We would also like to thank our longest serving board member, Charlotte Gibson, who has been on our board for 16 years, but has now decided to now step down from her role, as well as thanking all previous board members for their service to the bureau.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to the manager, James Sutherland, and his staff and volunteer teams for their warm welcome and support.
“Citizen Advice Bureaus play an enormous role in helping people from all walks of life, often when they are at their most vulnerable.
“It can be hard work, but it is vital work.
“One of our main goals is to ensure that people get the right help, at the right time and all of the help and support they are entitled to.”
The East and Central CAB has, in financial year 2025/26 already worked with nearly 450 clients, dealt with over 530 cases and raised nearly £700,000 in client financial gain.
Machin continues:
“What Citizen Advice Bureaus do is ensure that there is money coming into communities, money which can make vital differences to people’s standards of living at this incredibly difficult time.
“That money will stay in East and Central Sutherland and will make a difference both to individual families but also small businesses.
“I would urge anyone who is interested to come along for our open day on 14th November 2025 from 9am to 1pm to meet the team and discuss what the bureau does, and what volunteering opportunities that might be available,” she says.
“No matter what your skills, working face to face with clients, financial matters, contributing at board level, there is a place for you at the CAB and we would welcome your input and you can rest assured that you are volunteering at a place which makes a difference to everyone in your local area.”
