After graduating in Fine Art, I began my Playwork career as a volunteer in 1995 supporting junior youth clubs in Fife before becoming Playleader in Perth & Kinross and overseeing the daily running of an after school/holiday club. Here I completed SVQ Playwork Level 2 when the National Occupational Standards and qualifications in Playwork were being developed to meet the requirements of a rapidly expanding OSC workforce.
During this time I also worked as Classroom Assistant until 2001 when I was appointed as Training Officer at Fair Play Training in Dundee. Here my role involved delivering and assessing SVQ Playwork qualifications, accredited courses and developing and delivering CPD workshops for early years and play practitioners.
Here I achieved my Assessor qualification and ‘Training the Trainers’ certificate. I collaborated on interagency play initiatives and in partnership with Social Work and the Girlguiding Association I supported the Netherurd holiday project for families facing adversity.
From 2009- 2012 I worked at Angus college as a vocational skills tutor. Here I was responsible for delivering and assessing SVQ Playwork qualifications and the National Progression Award Playwork & Childcare, whilst working part time at Mill of Mains OSC as supervisor where I completed SVQ Playwork Level 3.
In January 2012 I began a new exciting post as Play Development Worker with Smart Play Network’s mobile play project ‘Play on Wheels’. For six months I worked part time in Dundee and Fife facilitating play workshops with families before I moved in to the full-time project lead post.