Staff Spotlight - Adele MacDonald
At Perth College UHI, we can help turn your ambitions of making a difference to people’s lives into a reality. Our Health and Social Care department is committed to providing opportunities for people who have been out of full-time education, or who are moving on from school or other learning environments. In this week’s blog, we meet Adele - one of the newest members of the lecturing team – who brings a wealth of experience from her time working in the NHS.
Tell us about yourself?
I am Adele MacDonald - born in Scone and brought up, for a time, in Glasgow before returning to Perth where I now live with my family. I trained as a Nurse in the 80’s and as a Midwife in the early 90’s and have worked predominantly in the NHS for the past 35 years (yikes!!) within Women, Young People and Families services. I am now dividing my time between Perth College UHI teaching and working as an NHS Education Facilitator, supporting the workplace learning environments for our students while on placement. This means they have to put up with me in college and in their placements – there’s no escape!
What is your role at Perth College UHI?
I’m a real newbie to Perth College UHI, starting in November last year as a lecturer within the Health and Social Care faculty. It’s been a very quick but enjoyable 7 months, with lots to learn!
What’s the best part of your job?
My favourite place is in the classroom (physically or virtually). I love spending time with my students who remind me daily of their passion for and commitment to health and social care and how lucky we are to have them coming into the profession.
What is a typical day at work like?
Busy! Being prepared is key – learning materials and course work aside, I think it’s important to know my students, where they are with their learning and how they are feeling about their progress. That allows me to offer appropriate support where and when it’s needed.
What has been your most memorable moment since working at Perth College UHI?
Hearing from some of my students that, as a Midwife, I had delivered their babies was pretty special! I have been involved in health education for many years and have always wanted to teach formally so, as cheesy as it sounds, receiving my staff lecturer ID badge was an immensely proud moment for me!
What might people be surprised to know about you?
I have been a bone marrow donor.
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
I love going to live events – concerts, comedy, theatre plays, music festivals, etc. I have so many concerts rescheduled for this year, tickets I bought in 2020/2021, so every weekend at the moment is a bit of a surprise with a rescheduled show I’d forgotten about!
Favourite type of food?
I do love to cook but enjoy even more when someone else cooks for me! I’ll eat pretty much anything – not too fussy and generally always hungry!
Favourite holiday destination, and why?
I love Spain – great memories of family holidays and getaways with friends. I can speak the language (a little), but it tends to revolve around ordering two beers and a table reservation for 8pm – what else do you need?!
Where would you like to travel next?
I really should have a look around my own country next. I worked all through Covid and never had any time off to go anywhere (were we even allowed to go anywhere?!). I think I’d head up the way, maybe try the North Coast 500 but incorporating hotels and B&Bs – absolutely no camping!
Favourite book?
I read a lot but it’s mostly forensic crime and pathology stuff. Currently working full time and having to feed a hungry family each night, my go to at the moment is Nadiya Hussain’s “Time to Eat” – it’s a life saver!
Favourite TV show or film?
This is the hardest question yet because I have so many! I love to laugh so comedies come to mind before anything else.
Films: School of Rock (just saw the stage show, which was great)
TV Shows: Modern Family (but I could list lots)
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I didn’t really have a plan – nursing was a bit of a last-minute choice (I was told they partied a lot, which was actually true!) but I absolutely loved my training and have worked as a Nurse and Midwife for the whole of my career. The only other job I ever considered was teaching and here I am doing both!
If you were a super-hero, what type of powers would you have?
My family will tell you, I always think I can pack a lot into a short timeframe, so consequently I am late for everything. I’d choose the ability to manipulate time so I would always manage to get myself to places on time, well put together and relaxed…………. or would I just give myself another hour or two to sleep?!!
First thing you would do if you won £1 million?
Can I just retire to the south of France??
No, ok then, I would book my very large extended family into a Disney hotel and party with Mickey – the kids would love it!
Who, or what, inspires you?
I have worked in the NHS my whole career, and still do. Despite the difficulties faced by our health service, I am proud to be part of an institution which provides care, compassion, and comfort to those in need. I am inspired every day by my NHS colleagues, their commitment, resilience and (usually very dark) humour. You will never know how wonderful our NHS is until you really need it.
Happiest memory?
Being a Mum, best job ever – still!
And most embarrassing?
As if I have ever done anything embarrassing!! Ask my children, they will say everything I say and everything I do!
And finally, if someone is interested in studying Health and Social Care at Perth College UHI, what would your advice be to them?
What are you waiting for?? If you are thinking about studying, you are halfway there already. Every journey starts with a first step – take that step, you’ll never look back!
