Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

LAURA GILCHRIST

Crossford,SLK

Summary

Dedicated professional with exceptional rapport-building skills, advocating for inclusion and non-judgmental interactions. Demonstrates empathy towards clients and exhibits emotional intelligence in all interactions. Focused on achieving results and adopts a person-centered approach to empower individuals to achieve their full potential. Experienced with youth engagement and mentorship, creating positive and supportive environments. Utilizes strong interpersonal skills to connect with diverse groups and foster sense of community. Track record of implementing successful programs that address both individual and group needs, promoting overall well-being.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Youth Worker

Street Level
01.2025 - Current
    • Deliver outdoor gardening sessions to the local high school for disengaged young people and those with additional support needs for a variety of complex reasons to increase resilience, attainment and promote well-being.
    • Established trusting relationships with young people through empathetic listening and genuine interest in their lives outside of program hours.
    • Promoted a safe, inclusive environment by establishing clear expectations and reinforcing positive behaviors among participants.
    • Provided individualized support for at-risk youth, resulting in increased self-esteem and positive behavior changes.
    • Support established existing groups being ran within Universal Connections/ Street Level partnership
    • Promoted positive peer interactions by facilitating group activities and modeling respectful communication techniques.
    • Assisted in identifying and reducing barriers to youth engagement and development.

Community Gardener

Carluke Development Trust
07.2023 - 12.2024
    • Increased access to fresh produce for community members through the cultivation of various fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
    • Promoted healthy living habits among community members with regular workshops on nutrition, cooking, and food preservation techniques involving garden produce.
    • Encouraged youth participation in gardening activities via age-appropriate lesson plans integrating science concepts related to ecology or botany.
    • Cultivated a safe environment within the garden space by enforcing safety protocols and addressing potential hazards promptly.
    • Enhanced community engagement by designing and implementing educational gardening programs.
    • Implemented seasonal planting schedules to ensure a continuous harvest of produce throughout the year, maximizing garden productivity.

Community Development Worker/Gardener

Clydesdale Community Initiatives
03.2014 - 06.2023
    • Work in partnership with stakeholder (NHS - Green Health Partnership) to design, develop and deliver green health sessions to a variety of clientele groups for the NHS primarily focused on food production. These lead sessions are carried out over numerous garden sites in hospital or public grounds.
    • Achieved certificates awards with individuals and groups such as John Muir Award, Beautiful Scotland awards, assisted in Branching out and Forest School sessions also.
    • Increased community engagement and facilitated groups to establish at a community Eco Site as well as developing the site into a community growing and learning area.
    • Wrote and implemented community eco site policies and protocols. Ensuring the site adhere to health and safety legislation. Inducted volunteers to site and have regular individual and group reviews.
    • Empowered individuals to take ownership of personal development and community responsibility/ contribution, achieve meaningful change and improve quality of life.
    • Recorded data and tracked KPI's as well as regular reporting to the management board to ensure accurate information to evaluate our obligations to funders and the project/s as a whole.
    • Helped volunteers and visitors to develop new skills and participate in planned groups/activities. Delivered demonstration and educational workshops. Organised and held open day events. (Forth Eco Project).
    • Created learning activity plans for groups of all abilities including those with complex support needs, delivered and adapted the programme delivery to achieve maximum participation and engagement. Carried out training to achieve competency levels to meet market standards to sell products made from the garden. (Langloch Farm Botanics)
    • Carried out various community events, consultations, information and market stalls, community talks on behalf of my organisation. This includes creating photo boards, quotes, slideshows, demonstrating our achievements/ outcomes in variety of ways.

Placement Support Worker & Research Assistance

Self Employed
08.2013 - 03.2014
    • Helped third sector participants to improve independence, work as a team and make a meaningful contribution towards their community.
    • Supervised, risk assessed and led a team of participants on work placements out to various community greenspace sites to carry out a variety of environmental work tasks. The participants were supported to make the best contribution they could and improve their local environment. Their journey was recorded, reviewed and regularly communicated to the individuals key-workers/carers.
    • Improved personal development, mental health, and community connectivity by person centered asset based methods of support and mentoring individuals and setting achievable performance goals.
    • Assisting in research project for Scottish Natural Heritage to map out green spaces that could be used for social prescribing for the NHS, to present the idea of a Natural Health Service to the NHS and consult with them on the obstacles of implementing social prescribing program's. The information was then reported back to contribute towards influencing future social health policy.

Volunteer Stress Management Therapist/Peer Support Worker

Healthy Valleys
05.2010 - 08.2013
    • Supervised group activities and mediated discussions while maintaining safe spaces. Led weekly peer support groups.
    • Carried out weekly holistic therapy sessions, I am certified in basic counseling skills, Indian Head Massage and Advanced Reiki. I have given introductions to meditation, mindfulness, EFT, aromatherapy, and other self care skills.
    • Collected and stored sensitive client information in line with data confidentiality policy.
    • Involved service users in person-centered care planning to maximise responsibility and cooperation.
    • Motivated clients by helping them to identify options, set goals and devise robust action plans.
    • Promoted environment of inclusion, empathy and privacy to protect service users.
    • Assisted at community consultations, awareness raising events, open days and a variety of community health promotion initiatives over a broad range of projects with Healthy Valleys.

General Assistance

Self Employed
09.2010 - 02.2013
  • Carried out various tasks for various clients, including general administration duties for a financial broker, domestic cleaning duties to private households, deep clean households and garden maintenance for a private landlord, both residential and holiday lets.
  • Created good relationships with clients due to reliability, communication skills and quality work. Raised invoices and managed diary. Worked autonomously as well as in team setting. Have a positive, flexible and enthusiastic approach to all endeavors.

Project Manager

Alliance Pharmacy
03.2004 - 03.2006
  • Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
  • Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.

Project Manager

Alfred McAlpines
09.2001 - 03.2004
  • Contract with the HBoS financial group to carry out the facilities and building project management of the HBoS property portfolio across England and Wales. Began in project administration as a temp then progressed through to Project Assistant, Junior Project Manager then Project Manager. Responsible for internal building projects around various banking halls, office blocks and call centres.
  • Same responsibilities as the role above with the exception of creating Auto CAD floor plans for approval at project brief stage.
  • The client approved plan to be costed and quotes went to clients for approval. Service delivery planned with consultation meeting with approved contractors. Place orders and schedule work plan, issue to all contractors and site employees, make sure appropriate risk assessments are in place and successfully deliver project within timeframes and budget.
  • Alfred McAlpine merged with Stiell Facilities during my employment there and this is when I gained experience in rebranding projects. Also participating in the rebranding of Bank of Scotland to HBoS too.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Social Science

University of Abertay Dundee
Dundee, DND
08.1999

Skills

  • Proven expertise in fostering community development through asset-based strategies
  • Multi Site/group growing/activity programme planning, delivery & maintenance
  • Confident to manage work load autonomously and team player
  • Extensive experience in partnership building
  • Experience in participating in national schemes like Scotland in Bloom
  • Competent in working with people of all ages, abilities and support needs
  • Possession of full clean drivers license and confident in driving mini bus or tipper pick-up trucks

References

Niall, McShannon, Managing Director, niall@cciweb.org.uk, 01555 664211, Clydesdale Community Initiatives, Langloch Farm, Lanark, ML11 9TA

Accomplishments

  • COSCA counseling certificate
  • Horticultural Therapy certificate
  • John Muir Leader certificate
  • First Aid at Work training
  • Branching Out Assistant training
  • Health Walk Leader training
  • Wellness Recovery Action Planning (MyWRAP)
  • Mental Health First Aid training

Timeline

Youth Worker

Street Level
01.2025 - Current

Community Gardener

Carluke Development Trust
07.2023 - 12.2024

Community Development Worker/Gardener

Clydesdale Community Initiatives
03.2014 - 06.2023

Placement Support Worker & Research Assistance

Self Employed
08.2013 - 03.2014

General Assistance

Self Employed
09.2010 - 02.2013

Volunteer Stress Management Therapist/Peer Support Worker

Healthy Valleys
05.2010 - 08.2013

Project Manager

Alliance Pharmacy
03.2004 - 03.2006

Project Manager

Alfred McAlpines
09.2001 - 03.2004

Bachelor of Arts - Social Science

University of Abertay Dundee

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LAURA GILCHRIST