“I can honestly say that I love my job!”

CrossReach provides residential care and education in a safe and supportive environment for young people aged eight to eighteen who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Right now the team is setting out on an exciting journey, as they make plans to move from the Ballikinrain campus into a new education resource and extend their community houses into East and West Dunbartonshire. “We’re transforming the whole service,” said Tracy, a Support Practitioner at Ballikinrain. “With only three to five boys or girls in each house we’ll be able to build stronger relationships and provide even better levels of care – and it will really help the young people feel part of a community.” We asked Tracy, what working life is like at Ballikinrain. “It’s amazing to work alongside young people and be a role model for them,” she said. “We laugh together, learn together and share some wonderful experiences like horse riding, skiing, sailing and rock climbing. I had never done any of these before I started, and it has been truly life changing for me.” Tracy explained what the opportunity to gain professional qualifications has meant to her: “School had been a difficult experience for me and I never thought that I’d be able to take advantage of further education. However I threw myself into the work and recently achieved my HNC and SVQ 3. I’m so proud of myself and the courses have helped me to genuinely understand the difficulties our young people experience.” So does Tracy see herself staying at Ballikinrain into the future? “Definitely, she said. “I can’t wait for the next challenge. I have had the best year ever with CrossReach and I’m learning something new every day. I can honestly say that I love my job!”