Homecare Independent Living

The driving force behind our ethos and vision, Mairead is a qualified health care professional who worked in the Health and Social Care Trusts for many years.  Her reputation for delivering professional, person-centered health care allowed her to found and develop the diverse range of operating divisions which form Homecare Independent Living.

Mairead has been nominated for this years Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award.

Gerald Mackle - Executive Director

With a background in business and a wide range of business interests, Gerald is responsible for the development of the Homecare Housing division including the Manor House Retirement Village project. He is also responsible for the introduction of the Car fleet and oversees the strategic development of Homecare Independent Living.

Both Mairead and Gerald formed Homecare Independent Living back in 1995. Since then, they have been directing and managing the expansion of the Homecare Company.

Bryan Meldrum joined Homecare in September 2007 after spending 20 years in Healthcare in the UK holding senior positions in both in Sales and Finance.

He achieved major success in Planning, Identifying partners for future growth and Selling clinical solutions to the NHS and Private health care markets.  Bryan graduated from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown and later from the University of Hull in Health Care Management.

Caroline Rafferty - Financial Controller

Caroline Rafferty joined the company in May 2009 and is responsible for all financial reporting and is a qualified chartered Accountant.

Shannagh is a graduate of Business Studies from the University of Ulster, Jordanstown and has also completed her Post Graduate degree in communication with Queen’s University in Belfast.  Before joining Homecare Shannagh was a business development manager for a Community Care organisation.  Shannagh has extensive financial experience having worked in several large organisations managing their accounting functions.

Nuala studied personnel development over many years and is qualified in Health and Social Care Management L4.

She worked as a retail manager for twelve years before joining Homecare Independent Living in 2002 as Locality Manager, managing a team of staff covering the Northern, Belfast and South Eastern Trust.

Dympna Mackle - Regional Manager - Southern & Western Trust 

Dympna is a graduate of Business Studies from University of Ulster, Jordanstown, and is a qualified Business Coach, with a mastery in NLP.  She has been managing people since 1991, of which 5 of these years spent in different parts of Europe. 

Before joining the company she spent 4 years managing a chain of retail shops in the south of Ireland.  

Dympna joined the company in 2006, and was appointed Commercial Manager in 2008.

Charmaine Hamilton - Regional Manager - Dublin North East & Mid Leinster

Charmaine graduated in August 2010 in Leadership and Management for Health and Social care services. She has worked for Homecare Independent Living for over 7yrs and has managed numerous areas within the Northern Ireland Trusts. In 2006, she joined forces with the HSE to establish domiciliary care for Homecare in southern Ireland. She worked as Area Manager for numerous counties in the south before taking up the position of Regional Manager in December 2010.

In the year 2000 Lorraine decided to change her career. She was working in accounts and felt that this wasn't the job for her. She had always had an interest in Social Work so decided to apply for an SVQ Health and Social care in her local college. She had no experience in the social care sector so it was a big step for her. She completed this course and then applied for an HNC Health and Social Care. She then decided to apply for University and was accepted on to the social work course.

During her time as a student social worker she was placed in the Homeless Team in Glasgow, working with a wide range of people all affected by homelessness but with different issues, such as addictions, mental health, child protection and asylum seekers. Her second placement was in a voluntary organisation whiched worked with people with severe learning disabilities and also people with mental health issues, supporting them to live independently in the community. She graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in 2006.

Lorraine relocated from Glasgow to Northern Ireland in 2007. Since then she has worked as a social worker in different social work teams throughout Northern Ireland, in child protection and leaving and after care. In 2010 she applied for a senior project worker post with Homecare Independent Living. She was offered the job and since then has progressed to Floating Support Manager. She manages a team of staff and they work in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive providing a floating support service to over 25’s and families.

This service has grown substantially since she first commenced work for Homecare and the vision for the future is for continuous growth throughout Northern Ireland providing support to vulnerable individuals and families to enable them to live independently in the community.

Patricia McGookin - Peripatetic Services Manager

Patricia joined Homecare Independent Living in November 2009, moving into the Health and Social Care Sector after a career change. Her previous life was spent as a Senior Manager in the commercial and retail sector, developing local and corporate business. Continuous improvement and enhancing customer experience has been at the heart of everything she has done. Her promotion to Peripatetic Service Manager has given her the opportunity to work closely with a dedicated and skilled team, who are committed to delivering a high quality of care and support that is focused on meeting the needs of each individual. Working with Homecare Independent Living has offered her entire team an opportunity to promote respect and individuality, providing a voice to those who often feel unheard.

Mary joined Homecare in 2011 to head up its Clinical Services Team. Mary is a qualified RGN and has extensive clinical and management experience. She has worked in a variety of hospital departments including A & E and Intensive Care.

Oliver is a graduate of the University of Ulster, Coleraine. He joined Homecare Independent Living in 2002 and was appointed Housing Manager a short time thereafter.

Oliver is specialised in meeting specific needs of referral agencies by sourcing and providing all types of accommodation. This may include adapting the accommodation if required in order to support clients with complex needs.

Joan brings many years of experience to Homecare Independent Living Independent Living, having managed the human resource function of a large London firm for 9 years. 

As one of our longest serving employees, Joan understands our people and our vision.  Bringing a unique combination of compassion and professionalism to her role, Joan is the face of Homecare Independent Living and the champion of our learning ethos.