Staff Case Studies

Introduction

So what's it really like to work for SU Scotland?  Three members of staff have taken some time to answer some questions about their roles...

• Helen Hogg - Schools Programme Coordinator
• Martin Boyd - Regional Worker
• Sarah Lynch - Assistant Accountant

Helen Hogg - Schools Programme Coordinator

What makes you want to work for SU Scotland?

I work for SU because I love working with children & young people and have a particular interest in working with them through the education system. I am studying community education at university full time alongside working full time.

Tell us about your job...

I am the schools programme co-ordinator at Lendrick Muir and it is my job to take bookings for schools and work those bookings through to actual educational breaks at the centre. I also work with a team of folks who deliver fun and educational workshops for every year group from Nursery through to sixth year at Secondary level.

What challenges do you face on a daily basis?

I would love to say none... but every job has its moments ...I find I have not enough hours in the day and am always left wanting more time to finish wee projects! Days can be long and split shifts are no fun so sociallising with friends outside work can be tricky at times.

What did you do before working for SU Scotland?

I worked as the Youth Specialist for Central Baptist Church, Dundee.  I loved it and CBC is still very much my church family.

Are you involved in other aspects of SU or other Church activities?

As well as praying for many friends and colleagues accross the organisation I also am a member of the Short Term Opportunities group (STOPPS). They look after the Gap year programe and having been on Reachout in the dim and distant past I have a strong sense of both loyalty and a desire for excellence in our discipleship training programme.

Martin Boyd - Regional Worker

What makes you want to work for SU?

I find it a real privilege to have the chance to share the Gospel with young people in schools and residential camp settings, and to encourage young Christians to go on in their faith.

Tell us about your job...

As a regional worker the job is fairly wide ranging and the area I cover is wide ranging too - this means that although I am involved in some SU schools groups on a weekly basis I have to try to encourage others to run groups in their area as it is impossible to be in 2 places at once - I did try it once. So part of my job is to see where there are volunteers available and to encourage them to do something locally. This might mean being with them when they start the group and doing a bit of on site training to give them confidence, and then keeping in touch to see how they are doing.

I also visit schools to take assemblies - helping schools fulfil their responsibilities in regard to Religious Observance - and I teach RME classes too.

During the school holidays I am on teams for various camps, and recently I've been writing material for the teaching sessions at these events.

I've also been involved in preparing materials for the Schools Prayer Network and in particular the Back to School with God Sunday project.

What challenges do you face on a daily basis?

One challenge is to realise that I can't do it all myself - of course I would like an SU group at all the schools in my area, but there is no point starting one if it can't be sustained - it's difficult when the Head teacher says they would like a group in the school and there is no one to run it... I just need to be patient and pray that a teacher or local volunteer will be keen to do something.

The most challenging is to have integrity - it's no point me encouraging others to pray if I don't, or telling kids about Jesus and humility if I don't live it out too.

What did you do before working for SU?

I worked in a print shop mostly doing typesetting and design. It was a great job.

Are you involved in other aspects of SU or other Church activities?

Gimme a break!

Sarah Lynch - Assistant Accountant

What makes you want to work for SU?

I enjoy working for SU as I know my job contributes to a difference made in children's lives through the Holidays, Missions, Weekends away and the School Groups. I really enjoy coming to the office each day as my colleagues are all great to work with and there's often cake in the kitchen!

Tell us about your job...

I'm the Assistant Accountant in the Finance department at our Milton Street office. Things I am involved with include making sure all our income is recorded accurately each month, checking and recording the cash statements sent in from our regional offices and the activity centres and reporting on all capital expenditure. There's also a lot more beyond that!

What challenges do you face on a daily basis?

One of the main challenges that the Finance department faces as a whole is that we can't tell what questions we might be asked on a daily basis. From the total of the latest appeal to the cost of pens bought over a year ago, finding the answer to some of these questions can take longer than you first think!

What did you do before working for SU?

I had graduated the previous year from Strathclyde University with a degree in Mathematics, Statistics and Finance. Between uni and SU I worked in a call centre for a loans company.

Are you involved in other aspects of SU or other Church activities?

I've been a group leader for 3 camps so far. It's always very refreshing to get away from my desk and see what's happening at the frontline. I'm also fully involved in my own church where my husband and I head up the 10 member graphics team.