Haley Robertson

Haley Robertson wants everyone to know that, no matter what your circumstances, there is always support available at North East Scotland College (NESCol) to help you achieve your goals.

Haley, 25, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease while still in school, and did not feel well enough or confident enough to take the step into further education as a teenager. But now, thanks to her own hard work and dedication, as well as the support provided to her by both staff and classmates at College, she has graduated with an HNC in Social Services.

At aged 20, Haley felt it was the right time to return to education. After attending an open day, where she found out about the support available to NESCol students, she applied to study an NC in Social Care – a subject that had become very close to Haley’s heart. She explains:

“My Granny and Granda both had cancer. When they were going through treatment, the social care department were there for them, and for us – I really admired the work they were doing to put our minds at ease and help people during difficult times. Being ill myself, so many people have taken time to look after me too, so I wanted to give back.”

As soon as she started studying, Haley knew she had made the right decision: “The lecturers were amazing, and I’ve made friends for life in my class.”

Haley progressed in her studies at NESCol, and had many fantastic experience over the three years she spent studying Social Care, but there is one experience that stood out as being particularly special. Last year, she was invited to carry out a work placement with the College’s Learning Opportunities team, where she took on the role of a Learning Support Assistant.

“It was the most incredible experience,” she says. “Working with all the students was amazing.”

Haley excelled on her placement, and impressed the team so much that she was offered a full time job at the end of it. This is a role she is now relishing the opportunity to work in, supporting students in the place that gave her such great support during her own studies.

“I want to let people know if they are a bit scared or worried about going to college, there’s so much help and support available. It’s a really nice place to study. It will be so worthwhile – I’m so happy I did it.”

Looking forward, Haley is hoping to continue her studies, and has secured a place in year 2 of a Social Work degree at RGU, which she will take up in 2023. She hopes that gaining her degree will allow her to reach her ultimate goal to become a criminal justice social worker specialising in the youth offenders field: “A lot of the time, youth offenders don’t have any hope. I want to show them that there are people who believe in them.”