ASPIRENorth (Highlands & Islands)
Meet the team...
Welcome from the ASPIRENorth (Highlands & Islands) Team, comprising of Elsbeth Neil, our Regional Co-ordinator (i.e. the Boss), our full time Development Workers Carola Highet, Jackie Smith, Martin Kennedy and Stephanie Spence, our Administrative Secretary (who keeps us all in check).
Our team can draw upon a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Elsbeth has had significant involvement in Youth and Community Education developing successful projects throughout her career such as ‘Goals’, ‘GOYODA’ and ‘Without Walls’. She has worked with various organisations including The Prince’s Trust, YMCA Scotland and the Rank Foundation. Elsbeth firmly believes that learning is a natural, ongoing process which is inherent in everyone. Most importantly, her mantra is not to be afraid of making mistakes! Mistakes are good! It’s how we learn.
Carola, graduated from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 2012 with a BA(Hons) Business & Management degree. She then went on to work at Highland Hospice as an Events Fundraiser for 4 years, where she realised that she has a passion for working with young people. Carola is delighted to be part of the ASPIRENorth team, because her experience with education has demonstrated that no two learning paths are the same and that everyone should have the opportunity to go on to further academic study.
Jackie, served in the Royal Air Force and then worked for Grampian Police while studying for a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree with the Open University. She has had a varied career, including working as a Prince’s Trust Team Leader, London 2012 Young Leaders’ Coordinator, at the Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen and with Calman Trust. Jackie believes every young person has potential and that learning never ends, whatever the age.
Martin, graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a PGDE (Primary Teaching) in 2017 having previous attained a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science in 2014. In between studying, he worked in an outdoor activity-based education programme with young people from residential childcare units. He has also worked for Calman Trust, supporting young people to employment or further education. Martin believes learning should be fun and based on the specific needs of individual learners.
Stephanie, our Administrative Secretary, left school and completed a course in Hospitality, however, she soon realised that she wanted to pursue an office career. Once she had finished her course, Steph started in her new role as Office Junior with the local newspaper company and soon worked her way "up the ranks" on the career ladder. Steph has also completed distance learning courses in Administration and as a Personal Assistant to help further enhance her skill base.
So, our team all come from various backgrounds with differing qualifications and experiences, but what gels us all together is the belief that education is life enhancing. The diverse routes taken by our individual team members provides varied skill sets and expertise, however, as a team combined we are dedicated to one route; to assist our pupils and beyond in achieving their goals through education and life-long learning.
Our team can draw upon a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Elsbeth has had significant involvement in Youth and Community Education developing successful projects throughout her career such as ‘Goals’, ‘GOYODA’ and ‘Without Walls’. She has worked with various organisations including The Prince’s Trust, YMCA Scotland and the Rank Foundation. Elsbeth firmly believes that learning is a natural, ongoing process which is inherent in everyone. Most importantly, her mantra is not to be afraid of making mistakes! Mistakes are good! It’s how we learn.
Carola, graduated from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 2012 with a BA(Hons) Business & Management degree. She then went on to work at Highland Hospice as an Events Fundraiser for 4 years, where she realised that she has a passion for working with young people. Carola is delighted to be part of the ASPIRENorth team, because her experience with education has demonstrated that no two learning paths are the same and that everyone should have the opportunity to go on to further academic study.
Jackie, served in the Royal Air Force and then worked for Grampian Police while studying for a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree with the Open University. She has had a varied career, including working as a Prince’s Trust Team Leader, London 2012 Young Leaders’ Coordinator, at the Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen and with Calman Trust. Jackie believes every young person has potential and that learning never ends, whatever the age.
Martin, graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a PGDE (Primary Teaching) in 2017 having previous attained a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science in 2014. In between studying, he worked in an outdoor activity-based education programme with young people from residential childcare units. He has also worked for Calman Trust, supporting young people to employment or further education. Martin believes learning should be fun and based on the specific needs of individual learners.
Stephanie, our Administrative Secretary, left school and completed a course in Hospitality, however, she soon realised that she wanted to pursue an office career. Once she had finished her course, Steph started in her new role as Office Junior with the local newspaper company and soon worked her way "up the ranks" on the career ladder. Steph has also completed distance learning courses in Administration and as a Personal Assistant to help further enhance her skill base.
So, our team all come from various backgrounds with differing qualifications and experiences, but what gels us all together is the belief that education is life enhancing. The diverse routes taken by our individual team members provides varied skill sets and expertise, however, as a team combined we are dedicated to one route; to assist our pupils and beyond in achieving their goals through education and life-long learning.
Contact us...
01463 255097
elsbeth.neil@abdn.ac.uk |
Elsbeth Neil - Regional Co-ordinator
|
Carola Highet - Development Worker
|
01463 255098 Jackie Smith - Development Worker
j.smith@abdn.ac.uk
j.smith@abdn.ac.uk
ASPIRENorth (Highlands & Islands)
Centre for Health Science
Old Perth Road
Inverness
Highland IV2 3JH
Centre for Health Science
Old Perth Road
Inverness
Highland IV2 3JH