Staff Team

Positive Help is defined by the people involved in it; our service users, our volunteers, our staff and our supporters. This page is designed to give you an insight into our organisation by telling you a bit about some of the many people that work to make Positive Help great. 

Below you’ll learn about what staff have been up to during lockdown to support service users as well as their usual roles at Positive Help.

CEO – Gillian Frayling-Kelly

In Lockdown

I have always been a practical and hands on person and lockdown proved that even more.  The whole staff team changed swiftly and smoothly to working from home and within a few days had new systems set up since face-to-face services were no longer safe to operate. At the beginning, I was even involved in medication collection and delivery, far from my usual role, but it was urgent so we responded.

All members of the staff team were involved in carrying out wellbeing telephone calls to service users and that included me.  During a time of distress and confusion for our most vulnerable service users, we were there to offer information and support. I am still carrying out those well being and check in calls, which I find is an important part of my role of leading the charity. Hearing directly from service users gives them a voice, and although Positive Help could not change anything about the coronavirus, we could increase the support to our community through medication delivery, grocery parcels and most importantly trusted social contact.

Usual Role

I joined Positive Help in June 2018 as Manager and within 10 months was named as CEO. Having over 14 years experience working in leadership roles in the charity sector and 24 years experience in a voluntary capacity, I’ve brought a wealth of knowledge to the organisation. I used my expertise in streamlining processes and cost efficiencies as Manager, to ensure that Positive Help could expand its reach while staying within resources. As CEO, I’m using my skills to promote the organisation and have it recognised for helping to reduce the transmission rate of HIV and Hepatitis C in the Lothians.

I have worked with a number of health charities through the years enabling them to grow in size. Using a collaborative approach for a lot of this work, I know that involving people including service users, volunteers, trustees and staff ensures that the organisation is responsive to what is required.

I have been a member of Girlguiding since childhood and I am still actively involved running a Brownie Unit, helping with others units and being County Arts Advisor I know the power and value of volunteering. I believe passionately that the volunteer model that Positive Help works with provides excellent outcomes for all involved.

Adult Services Manager –
Rachel Helms

I joined Positive Help in the summer of 2023. I’ve worked in the voluntary sector in a number of roles and settings since 2000. It’s very rewarding to know that end of each day my work has made a difference!

My role, as Adult Services Manager, is to create the best possible environment for the volunteers, students and staff to succeed in what they do. I love seeing individuals and teams and services thrive!

Although HIV and HCV seem to have faded from view and media discussion the effects of both conditions continue to affect lives and communities profoundly, and Positive Help has been working steadily and quietly to be there for people when they need us. It’s an honour to be entrusted with the opportunity to help in ways large and small.

When I’m not working I’m busy with family matters and trying to make time for my allotment.

Children’s Services Coordinator –
Laura Young

In my role as Children’s Service Coordinator I work closely with the families and children, their support workers from other organisations and our volunteers to provide them with the support they need. I coordinate the Study Buddies and Befriending services and work closely with the amazing volunteers who help make these two services so fantastic.
My interest in the charity sector began at university when I spent two summers in Malawi planning and implementing educational projects in a small community. I loved seeing the difference these projects made to people’s lives and the positive impact they had on the community. Before joining Positive Help I was working as a Primary Teacher in Edinburgh. My favourite part of this job was getting to know the children and their families, which is what attracted me to working with Positive Help. I love seeing the impact that practical and thoughtful support can have on individuals and I take great pride in being an advocate for people who are facing inequalities and hardships. I’m excited to get to know all the service users and volunteers and hopefully make a difference along the way.

Fundraising Lead – Sam Read

I joined Positive Help in May 2022, and I am delighted to be apart of such a happy and supportive team.

I have 10 years’ experience working in the charity sector raising funds from Runs and Challenges, Trusts and Foundations and Local events such as Charity Golf Days. I am hoping to use my experience to raise vital funds for this very worthwhile cause.

As Fundraising Lead, my role is to work alongside our CEO to identify and raise funds from Trusts and Foundations so we can keep our services running. I am also responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the very generous grant-making bodies who already support us.

Since starting at Positive Help, I have learnt so much about around the day-to-day challenges our Service Users face and the stigma and discrimination they endure. This is really driving me when making funding applications for support. I hope I can contribute towards making a real difference to the lives of those diagnosed with HIV/Hepatitis C in Edinburgh and Lothians