Elmarie’s earliest recollection of Blythswood is not a happy one. For it was during a visit to the charity’s Deephaven headquarters that she lost her penguin. Two decades later, she is reconciled to the loss of her favourite soft toy. “It was probably sent to Romania,” she says. “I was very upset.”

Blythswood has been part of family life for Elmarie as far back as she can remember. Her mum Rona pioneered Blythswood’s work in Cluj, Romania back in the 1990s and her dad Ian Matheson has been the architect of the organisation’s commercial side over the past 20 years.

Filling boxes for the Shoe Box Appeal is another of Elmarie’s childhood memories. Growing up in an evangelical home as the youngest of four sisters, one of whom has special needs, she became aware of the difference that the gospel makes in people’s outlook. “At church I saw how much people cared. I was 12 years old when I knew I was a Christian and became a member at church.”

Her first two years of studying English at Edinburgh Napier University were disrupted by the COVID lockdowns. “As a result, I didn’t make many friends from my course, but having a close friend who was a Muslim helped to firm up what I really believe,” she says. “It was a friendship which made me read my Bible, and helped me to understand what I believe.”

Now Blythswood’s communications officer, Elmarie manages Blythswood’s social media accounts. “We have two Facebook accounts, one for shops featuring items for sale and the other for our work. I post every day, and also on Instagram about once a week.”

Elmarie’s role covers all aspects of marketing and communications, liaising with designers and printers and supporting Elma MacKay in her role as head of communications. Her objectives for 2026 are to grow social media by increasing engagement and to monitor the impact. She says, “You can help Blythswood by sharing our content with your friends.”