Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
My background is mostly in sport and youth work. I actually wanted to be a PE teacher when I was younger, but that definitely changed along the way!
I graduated from UWS in 2023 with an Honours degree in Sports Coaching and Development, and my professional background has been a mix of council and third‑sector roles supporting young people in community and education settings.
Over the last few years, I’ve become really interested in child development and how trauma affects young people. I’m now in my first year of an MSc in Children’s Psychotherapy, which I’m really enjoying. I also volunteer with Children’s Hearings Scotland as a Panel Practice Advisor, so making sure children and young people get the right support is something that’s really important to me.
What interested you in becoming a Family Support Worker?
I was really interested in becoming a Family Support Worker because I want to build experience working directly with families as well as young people. I enjoy supporting children, but I’m also keen to understand the bigger picture around them and learn how to work with the whole family to make a positive difference.
What experience or skills do you bring to your new role?
I bring experience from roles where the focus was on building strong relationships to help young people reach meaningful outcomes. I previously led long‑term alternative education programmes in secondary schools for young people who found it challenging to engage with the mainstream curriculum. This included delivering SCQF life‑skills courses such as communication, conflict resolution and goal‑setting. I’ve also delivered practitioner training on trauma‑informed and person‑centred practice, and I’m hoping this knowledge will positively shape how I support both staff and families at COVEY.
What are you most looking forward to about working with families and being part of our team?
I’m really looking forward to getting to know families, building trusting relationships and supporting them in a way that feels genuinely helpful. I love working alongside people and understanding what matters to them, so I’m excited to be part of their journey and celebrate the progress they make. I’m also really looking forward to being part of the COVEY team.
Everyone has already been so welcoming and I’m excited to learn from such a supportive group and contribute wherever I can.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Most of my free time is spent doing something physical (shock!). I play rugby for a team in Troon, go to the gym regularly, and I love being outdoors, so camping and climbing Munros are big favourites of mine. And if Im not doing any of that, Im probably playing another sport or spending time with my friends.
What is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
Something people are usually surprised to learn about me is that I can play the bagpipes. I’ve played for several members of the Royal Family, which even meant I had the chance to meet the late Queen. I’ve not played in a couple of years though so I’m probably quite rusty now!
Do you have a favourite quote, motto, or piece of advice that inspires you in your work?
One thing that really inspires me in my work is the importance of relationships. A few phrases I always come back to are “connection before content,” “connection before correction,” and “be curious, not furious.”
They’re great reminders that relationships come first, and everything else grows from there.
