The
Greenhouse, 1a West Pilton Place, Edinburgh, EH4 4DG
Tel:
0131 332 9815
 | Meet | the | Staff | |
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Name: Debbie McMillan
Where are you from (where were you born): Hull, East Yorkshire
What is your role within PYCP: Administrator, anything officy - is that a word??
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP: It was local to where I live and fitted in around my children. I love anything admin or computing and it suited me just perfectly.
What benefits does PYCP bring to the community:Its good for children and young people to have a safe place to hang out with friends, play games and have fun when not at school.
What characteristics should a good volunteer have: Not a afraid to give anything a try - must be able to smile and have a wicked sense of humour!
What are your interests and hobbies: Walks on the beach, sipping a glass of wine whilst curled up watching a soppy movie. Ceroc dancing and spending time with my children.
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself: I can count to 10 in Arabic and used to bite my own toenails (when I was about 5 - not recently!!)
Where are you from (where were you born): Republic of Yorkshire :-)
What is your role within PYCP: I am a Youth Project Worker
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP: I have 25 years experience of community based youth work. I worked for 12 years in Wester Hailes and 7 years in Craigmillar and Portobello before joining PYCP in October 2008
What are your interests and hobbies: Music, Football, Camping and spending time with my children.
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself: I believe that the vast majority of young people are really really sound and it annoys me when the media make out otherwise.
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Name: Laura McLaren
Where are you from (where were you born): I am from a wee town in Fife called Newburgh (near Perth)
What is your role within PYCP: Senior Development Worker
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP: I had heard about PYCP when I worker in other roles at Panmuir House and Barnados. I had always worked with teenagers, particularly with young people in care and I really wanted to get more experience of working with children in a more varied role. The funding for my post at Barnados was coming to an end so I decided to apply for the post at PY and I 'm still here almost 5 years later!
Had you volunteered before coming here: No
What benefits does PYCP bring to the community: It brings a wide range of benefits to the community. The most obvious is that it offers children and young people opportunities to try lots of activities and learn new skills. This also means that parents and carers can have more time to themselves. We also offer support to families, more on an informal basis, but we are always here to listen and help where we can . A huge factor is that because we have been here for so many years, we have really good relationships with generations of families. It can be frustrating in that a lot of what we do is not immediately visible to especially the local community as we do lots of outreach work in schools. I really believe that working with youth work approaches in that sort of environment really compliments more formal education.
What characteristics should a good volunteer have: They should be enthusiastic, willing to try new things and take on challenges, be willing to share their unique/skills and experience.
What are your interests and hobbies: I am studying towards my Masters where I am researching youth work in schools, in the hope that this will bring benefits to both PYCP and this area in general. This is keeping me really busy at the moment but if I get time I like to meet up with friends, go to music events, I also like to try creative things and I do acrylic painting and jewellery making!
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself: Oh dear, well I met Worzel Gummidge when I was little and got his autograph!!!
Where are you from (where were you born): Torry in Aberdeen
What is your role within PYCP: Master of the Universe or Youth and Children's Worker
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP: PYCP was the best place to give me a broad range of experience working with different age groups in a variety of different settings; open clups, referred groups and one to one support. I got into working here from being a Post Graduate Community Education student on a six week placement that turned into over 5 years employment. PY was and still is a great learning opportunity for me.
What characteristics should a good volunteer have: They should be able to be themselves. There is room for every type of personality in youth work but the moment somebody tries to be something they are not, young people see right through that and soon let you know. I think that a good volunteer is also able to take on board advice and support and say when they are not happy about something. Other than that, as long as someone is reliable, patient, enthusiastic and willing to make a fool of themselves once in a while, they'll go a long way!
What are your interests and hobbies: I like the outdoors, camping, kayaking, mountain biking and being a terrible fly fisherman. Having 2 very young girls at home doesn't leave much time for anything but cycling is a hobby as well as a great form of transport for me. Working for PY has given me the opportunity to try a lot of activities that I might not have got into on my own, like climbing. I am also doing a Walking Group Leader qualification so that I can take groups out on hill walks.
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself: I played in a youth team cup final at Pittodrie when I was 11 and we won - my football career went down hill from there. I have a degree in Cultural History. My first gig was going to see the Godfather of Soul - James Brown!
Name: Sinclair MacDonald
Where are you from (where were you born):
What is your role within PYCP:
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP:
Had you volunteered before coming here:
What benefits does PYCP bring to the community:
What characteristics should a good volunteer have:
What are your interests and hobbies:
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself:
Name: Adele Irvine
Where are you from (where were you born): Muirhouse
What is your role within PYCP:Employment Support Worker
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP: I fancied a change!
What benefits does PYCP bring to the community: It provides a strong support network for families, young people and local schools.
What characteristics should a good volunteer have: Definitely must be approachable.
What are your interests and hobbies: Socialising with friends, going to concerts/gigs.
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself: I cannot tell you unless my solicitor is present ;-)
Name: Daniel Rutherford
Where are you from (where were you born): Royston
What is your role within PYCP: Youth & Children's Worker
Why did you want to work/volunteer for PYCP:A lot of people I went to school with were supported by PYCP so I went along to volunteer and gain experience, then I became a member of staff.
What characteristics should a good volunteer have: Must fun, reliable, enthusiastic
What are your interests and hobbies:Scottish history and watching hibs!
Give me some interesting facts/information about yourself: I am responsible for the discovery of isolating nitrogen........ - oh really Daniel!!