Vanda and Janet celebrate national award achievement

Specialist Youth Workers Vanda Dow and Janet McCormack are celebrating after achieving their Professional Development Award in Youth Work.

The national qualification is delivered over four months involving three separate units, assessments and a practical placement and observation within their workplace or youth club. Both women completed their Awards alongside their council roles and their work with the young people they support.

Vanda's story

Vanda (pictured right) started working with young people 16 years ago as a volunteer football coach, eventually opening her own football club in Port Seton which brought her into contact with former Community Development Officer Paul Thewlis. “Paul saw how successful we were that he asked if I ever fancied doing youth work. I thought ‘yeah, ok let’s give it a go!’,” she says, laughing.

She began delivering youth work sessions for us twice a week while also working in insurance and juggling family life. Her enthusiasm and natural connection with children and young people has seen her lead many other projects, including the senior’s youth café which runs at Port Seton Community Centre on Wednesday and Friday evenings. “Previously very few young people attended,” says Vanda.

“We worked hard to eventually change the mindset of the young people from P7 to high school that this is the place to be hanging about especially in the winter months. It has continued to be so popular.”

The youth café proved to be the catalyst for Vanda’s move into youth work full time. “I loved the satisfaction I got within the youth café. Working with teenagers from S1 – S6 it inspired me and it allowed me to identify my vocation. The job as Specialist Youth Worker in Musselburgh cluster came around three and a half years ago and allowed me to leave 30 years of Insurance and follow my passion.”

Vanda loves her role, which she describes as ‘a privilege’ and her mantra of “I embrace challenges as opportunities to grow” applies not only to her, but to the young people she works with. “It never feels like you are at work,” she explains. “The satisfaction knowing I am supporting young people to steer them in the direction of managing risk, raise aspirations and make informed decisions on a daily basis is a privilege.”

Janet's story

Like Vanda, Janet (right) had long experience in youth work before moving into the field as her permanent career. “I’ve volunteered in various youth organisations for 25 years and made many amazing friends and experiences along the way. I still volunteer with a youth organisation in my spare time,” she says.

When she moved to East Lothian from South London in 2020, Janet jumped at the chance to become a youth worker with us, before coming on board full-time in 2023 as a Specialist Youth Worker in Preston Seton Gosford.

“Moving into the role and being able to work in partnership with young people in the community and their schools has been fabulous,” explains Janet. “I enjoy the vitality and energy the comes when engaging with young people and helping them enhance and develop.”

When the opportunity came up to develop her own skills, Janet jumped again. “It was a great way to build my confidence, learning about the history of youth work, themes and best practice, she says. “Coming together with other youth workers sharing ideas and experiences and recognising the scope of youth work and its importance in our communities has been brilliant and I’ve been able to bring new skills, ideas and resources back into my role.”

"Extraordinary commitment"

Head of Communities and Partnerships Eamon John praised Vanda and Janet for their achievements, saying: “Their commitment to young people and to youth work is extraordinary with decades-long volunteering and then through their full-time roles. To add a professional qualification on top of that is no mean feat. The award has allowed them to reflect on their significant experience, build on it and bring their enhanced knowledge back to our teams to benefit the wider service and the young people we work with. I’m delighted for them both.”

Congratulations to Vanda and Janet!

Find out how we will ensure children and young people are safe, heard and included through our Youth Vision Strategy.