Student Spotlight - Victoria Preston
The Health and Social Care department at UHI Perth is committed to providing opportunities for people who have been out of full-time education, or who are moving on from school or other learning environments.
In this week’s blog, we get to know one of our students who came to UHI Perth as a mature student to realise her childhood dream of working with children and young people👇
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Victoria Preston. I currently reside in Comrie in Perthshire, Scotland.
What course did you study at UHI Perth?
SVQ Level 3 in Social Services for Children and Young People. I have completed my course quite recently.
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
I read a leaflet in the Perth Job Centre about the summer camp course, which then led me onto the course which I have just completed.
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
I work at Crieff Hydro as a Childcare Practitioner. Within my job I needed to be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). They require all practitioners to be trained to a particular level to work with children in Scotland.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
I decided to pick this course as this is what the SSSC required of me to complete. So, I am then qualified to work with children. It has been my passion to work with children since I was 16. I wanted to become a Social Worker. However, that never happened. Since then, I have given birth to two boys. I have a lot of life experiences. I would love to be able to work as a Family Support Worker. This course I've just completed, gives me the qualification to be able to achieve my goal.
What is your favourite thing about this course?
My favourite thing about this course is my absolutely amazing tutor, Allison. She has supported me throughout this course so well, offering me different methods of producing my work - from writing, posters, artwork and observations. It has been a very enjoyable journey throughout my course. I know I couldn’t have succeeded without Allison’s guidance.
During the pandemic, how did the style of teaching change? Were your lecturers supportive during this time?
Despite starting this course through the latter stages of the pandemic, Allison’s support has been the same the whole way through I believe.
Has there been any standout/memorable moments from this course?
As part of my coursework, one of my observations was to make a den, which I initially thought would be easy. At work, we previously had a den frame, but when I checked the cupboard for it, I discovered it had been broken and thrown out. Ah I thought… so I went online and ordered a garden wigwam disc from Amazon, along with some long garden canes. I also gathered blankets, pegs, and bunting. When the Amazon order arrived, I found that two discs had been delivered instead of one.
During the assessment, I encouraged all the children to help bring the components out of the cupboard to be part of the experience. I set up one of the discs to create the wigwam den. Since there were many children, we used the extra disc to make another den, ensuring everyone could be included and involved.
I loved that assessment because everything worked out perfectly. The highlight for me was when my teacher, Allison, told me it was one of the best observations she had ever seen. That recognition made me incredibly happy and proud.
What knowledge and skills have you gained from your course that will help you when you leave UHI Perth?
I feel that I have gained lots of knowledge and skills from studying on this course. From working with colleagues and my experience working with children will help me further my career in working with children and young people.
Have you undertaken a placement or work experience whilst at UHI Perth?
Yes, I did volunteer for Home Start in Perth as a Family Support Worker for a while. However, with my work, studies, my gardening job, looking after my parents, it was all a little bit too much. I will be pursuing a volunteering job with Home Start once again. I want to volunteer as a Family Support Worker to give me the experience, skills and knowledge which I will need for a full-time job.
I'm also studying with LEAD Scotland with a lady called Katie. She is helping me with the lessons for my IT skills as this will support me in writing reports for when I have a full-time position as a Family Support Worker.
Any other achievements you have gained on your journey?
I have gained a little bit more confidence during this course as I originally would have liked to have studied this course when I was 16 years old. My mum told me that I was ‘too thick’ to go to college, whereas now at 56 years old, I have now completed this course.
I've also started training online through my work to support children with their behaviour. Within the workplace it is online training which I will be able to add to my CV to further my career. I have a better understanding on how to look after children who find it hard to be with other children. Having an understanding on how to work with such children, with their behaviour, is important to me as a Childcare Practitioner.
How you deal with the situation can definitely affect the outcome of the situation. I would like the knowledge and skills to have a holistic approach within my time working with children and young people.
What do you like about the campus/ facilities?
The campus is easy to find and is on a bus route. I like the car park; it is nicely laid out. I like the library; as I get a nice feeling from it. I like the way you can get a coffee when you need a refreshment.
Have you enjoyed studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
I have really enjoyed studying at UHI Perth. My highlight is meeting my tutor Allison and getting to know her. Allison has helped me to achieve my goal that I set when I was 16 years old and now at 56 years old, I’m starting my career. It is a very exciting time in my life. I am thankful to UHI Perth for helping me achieve my SVQ Level 3 in Social Services for Children and Young People.
Do you have hobbies or interests outside of your studies?
Yes, I have an interest in gardening, designing and making clothes. I also attend the Walled Garden to do arts and crafts. I'm hoping to be transferred to Wisecraft in Blairgowrie to complete a cabinet that have made from pallet wood with stain glass windows to use as a glass’s cupboard for my kitchen. I also practise an ancient Chinese health exercise called Wild Goose Qigong.
What are your future career plans?
I would love and adore to become a Family Support Worker to use all of my knowledge and skills as I'm a fully qualified Holistic Therapist. I was really interested in the nutritional element. I also studied Qigong, which is an ancient Chinese health exercise. I would love to learn the five animals Qigong to teach it to children. So, my future career plan is to use all my knowledge and skills to become the best Family Support Worker that I can be.
And finally, what advice would you like to give someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
Definitely do it and you will reap the benefits. Be happy, study at UHI Perth.
