Island’s Social Care Worker Wins Top Award

A Shetland mother and social care worker has been named first ever Student of the Year of the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Judges said that 49 year old Margaret Johnston had been a role model for the almost 6,000 students in the UHI network of colleges and research institutions. They said they were impressed by her academic and personal achievements, and her contribution to the student community as secretary of the Shetland branch UHI Students’ Association. Margaret – who left school at 15 with no qualifications – has completed a BA course in child and youth studies at Shetland College UHI.

“I can’t believe I’ve won the student award, but I feel very honoured,” she said from her home in Bixter, Shetland.

After bringing up two sons, caring for extended family members, as well as working as a child minder and helping running a croft, she decided to pursue a career in care.

She completed some basic skills training and then enrolled at Shetland College UHI for qualifications including a Higher in care. Then she moved on to HNC childcare and education which bridged into the second year of the BA degree.

“I worried at first that I had taken on too much, but I knew I could do it. My age has not proved a barrier in any way. In fact, I think it helped me because I had more experience and more confidence. Younger students accepted me as one of them, and they would come to me for advice. I took quite a number of them under my wing.”

UHI principal Professor Bob Cormack praised Margaret for her achievements. “Margaret is a great credit to Shetland College and UHI, proving that we are achieving our aim of helping people like her to study and train without having to leave the area. I know the judges had a tough choice to make, but Margaret is undoubtedly a very worthy winner.”

Now working as a relief social care worker at Laburnum House, in Lerwick, a respite centre for young people and children with special needs, Margaret said she would recommend further and higher study to people of all ages and backgrounds.

“I found I had more confidence than I did when I was at school. I was not put off by online learning, one of the study options with UHI. It was comparatively easy and enabled me to fit my studies around my other commitments,” she said.

“The most difficult part was self-motivation, but I kept reminding myself that I wanted the qualification and I could do it,” she added

Shetland College principal George Smith said: “This award is well deserved. Margaret has been an excellent student who has contributed well to Shetland College both in an academic sense and in wider college life. Margaret’s achievements set out exactly what a life-long learning approach should be about.”

Margaret Johnston will receive her UHI Student of the Year trophy at the UHI Annual Lecture 2006 at Dornoch Cathedral on 29 September.