Improving the chances of some of Dundee’s most vulnerable

BREAKTHROUGH Dundee chief executive Susan Duncan, who is originally from Aberdeen and lives in Broughty Ferry, brings more than 30 years of experience in business, education and social care to the project.

The business studies graduate’s background includes 10 years in bluechip industries; supply teaching in Angus after retraining with a postgraduate diploma in primary education; and 15 years as a Safe Guarder with the Children’s Panel – making independent recommendations on the best course of action for young people presented to the panel.

She said: “The aim of the launch night is to raise awareness of the project and to create 160 ambassadors for that project to talk about it.

“A secondary aim is to either get people to think about being mentors or allowing people in their company to be mentors in their working day – and possibly they might be able to offer some kind of work experience opportunities.

“The evidence from the project in Glasgow is that children that stay on see improvement in attainment, improvement in behaviour, and positive destinations to further and higher education.”

Dundee City Council administration leader Councillor John Alexander said: “I am delighted that this exciting new project is being launched to improve chances for some of the most vulnerable young people across the city.”

BREAKTHROUGH Dundee chief executive Susan Duncan.