A Wee Blether With...
Young Scot CEO talks about her career and helping young people across Scotland
Louise Macdonald OBE, chief executive of the Young Scot organisation
What was your career before Young Scot?
I was a tabloid journalist but I wasn’t happy. I saw that Citizens Advice Bureau needed some volunteers and I met the wonderful manager there, Ann Adshead. I started to have a real interest in young people and volunteering and I got a job with the Scottish Community Education Council, focusing on youth volunteering.
How did you start at Young Scot?
In 2000, Young Scot was set up independently at the same place as the Scottish Community Education Council and I soon joined as communications manager. I then became communications director and then deputy chief executive 12 years ago – the founder of Young Scot retired and I was really privileged to get the role.
What does Young Scot do to support young people in Scotland?
We work with people aged between 11 and 26. Our core purpose is to help them make informed choices as they grow up. We connect young people to opportunities with the Young Scot card, and we also have a team that works with organisations to directly involve young people in decision making.
How have you seen young people impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic?
I want to prioritise those who have been directly impacted, whether they’ve been bereaved or lost work. That is happening every week. It’s impacted education, but also youth employment, if they don’t get that good start in employment, that can have a longer impact.
What is it about young people in Scotland that you would most like to raise awareness of?
Every young person needs an adult that believes in them! We must champion young people. Where people are being negative about them or using lazy stereotypes, challenge them. Everybody has the power to make a positive difference in the lives of so many young Scots.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Those moments where you hear from a young person that you’ve made a difference for. Some of the change in young people that I’ve seen has been amazing – once would have been enough, but we’ve been fortunate to see it lots of times.
Who has influenced you most in your work?
I’ve known some amazing people who’ve taken a chance on me. Ann Adshead, and the person who has supported me, both into Young Scot and through it, is the founder, Marcus Liddle. He’s a leader who remembers that everything is about people and relationships. Him believing in me has helped me be a better person, or at least try to be!
How did it feel to be awarded an OBE in 2015?
Being awarded the OBE is a huge honour, especially as I’ve been told young people were involved in my nomination. I’m grateful to so many amazing mentors and colleagues so it is a recognition of them too!
What do you do to wind down?
I love nature photography. I just love being in forests with my camera and my macro lens, getting out for a decent walk. I can disappear, I’m only thinking about the image that I want to capture.