Meet our team

Penny Halliday

Chair and Founder

Penny Halliday is the founder and Chair of A Listening Ear. She was an FE lecturer with Dumfries and Galloway College for 18 years and then moved to community development for 10 years setting up local and national support for kinship carers as well as families affected by drugs, for which she won several awards. Penny has served as a Non-Executive Member of the Board of NHS Dumfries and Galloway for over 8 years where she is currently Vice Chair as well as Vice Chair of the Integrated Joint Board – the body set up to oversee the integration of local health and social care services within the Region and is also a Trustee for a number of other local organisations.

Pat McErlean

Trustee

I worked in Local Government for 30 years before retiring to Galloway in 2013. I had worked mainly with Ethnic and Cultural Minorities liaising and managing special events and accommodation. In my spare time I used my work skills to help in the management and support of a number of local and national voluntary organisations.

After an active career it was not long before I was bored with retirement and started as a volunteer with A Listening Ear which I thoroughly enjoy. In what’s left of my spare time I am a mad keen wild camper.

Susan Ribbens

Project Manager

Susan originally started with ALE as Volunteer Co-ordinator in April 2023 and became Project Manager in March 2024 when ALE's services expanded.

Susan is enjoying ALE's growth and expansion and is excited for the future of the organisation.  She is dedicated to nurturing an inclusive and empowering environment, ensuring that all ALE stakeholders feel valued and their contributions make a lasting difference.



She lives near Kirkcowan with husband Jamie and daughter Abbie and various animals.  In her spare time she loves playing her fiddle in various local groups and sessions. She also loves crafting, sewing and anything gadget or IT related!

Joanne Taplin

Volunteer Co-ordinator West

With a background in youth work at YMCA and experience as a charity shop worker, Joanne brings a wealth of skills and a heart for community involvement to her position.

In her spare time, Joanne enjoys helping in her husband's record shop and loves crafting, reading, and walks with her dogs. Joanne will be responsible for the west of the region.

Caroline Garrett

Volunteer Co-ordinator East

Caroline has a wealth of experience of working in the third sector. In her spare time, she's an avid "International Train Hubber," exploring Europe alongside her grandson, who runs the popular YouTube channel, Jack's Train Hub. From filming train journeys to exploring stations across the UK and Europe, they've been on this adventure since he was a wee lad, now 15. Check out their channel at Jack’s Train Hub on Youtube!

Known for her green thumb and love for classic murder mysteries, Caroline’s heart for community shines as she befriends newcomers from Ukraine and Bulgaria, sharing the beauty of Bonnie Galloway and seeking support from MOOL for those in need.