tigers Partner with Sacro for The Biology of Belonging
tigers are thrilled to be partnering with Sacro for The Biology of Belonging, with the organisation joining our ever growing community for this groundbreaking event.
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which works to deliver life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities.
The Biology of Belonging will welcome a diverse range of local and international voices to the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow on May 7th & 8th, including Dan Siegel, Claudia Gold, Vivian McKinnon and James Docherty, with limited tickets still available. Hosting this event, and tying together the content of the day for the audience will be former broadcaster and child therapist, Kate Silverton.
As part of this immersive experience, we are welcoming Darren Burns, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Timpson Group and head of The Timpson Foundation, who will be speaking at a business breakfast on the Thursday morning, giving insight into Darren’s journey, as well as the pioneering business and recruitment model at Timpson.
Commenting on the new partnership, tigers Group Commercial Director Gerry Hamill said: “We’re thrilled to have another values-aligned partner in Sacro backing The Biology of Belonging. Belonging isn’t just a feeling, it’s a biological need, essential for our children, young people, and the adults who support them.
This event offers a forward-thinking professional development experience for current and future leaders, grounding the latest research and neurobiology in the real-world spaces of our businesses, communities, and society at large.”
Speaking on this new partnership, Director of Justice at Sacro, Lynne Thornhill said: “Sacro is delighted to be partnering with tigers for their 'The Biology of Belonging' event, and as an organisation that shares our values and our belief in the importance that positive connections and relationships have in changing people’s lives for the better.
Our approach too is centred around people. Our services are co-produced and designed with input from the very people who use them, and we provide support without judgement, informed by each person's individual needs and background.
Building, maintaining and nurturing strong, positive relationships is critical in supporting people to thrive, and we appreciate the work Tigers does in fostering and promoting this approach.”
Sacro descriptors (2025)
Short version
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which delivers life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities. The organisation provides a wide range of direct, innovative services in Community Justice, Community Safety and Public Protection. Its services are designed to reduce conflict and offending and are developed in partnership with the people and communities we support.
People are at the centre of all we do. We treat everyone inclusively, respectfully, and do not judge. Sacro supports a broad range of people, including those harmed by crime and those responsible for that harm.
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Long version
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which delivers life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities. The organisation provides a wide range of direct, innovative services in Community Justice, Community Safety and Public Protection. Its services are designed to reduce conflict and offending and are developed in partnership with the people and communities we support.
People are at the centre of all we do. We treat everyone inclusively, respectfully, and do not judge. Sacro operates in partnership with others who share its values to support a broad range of people, including those harmed by crime and those responsible for that harm.
Our Community Justice services work within Scotland’s communities to provide support to people leaving custody – or at risk of custody. Community-based solutions are widely recognised as effective, credible alternatives to custody with a much higher rate of success in reducing reoffending. Sacro’s Community Justice services are designed to help people live safely in their communities with sufficient support to address their individual needs and reduce or eliminate the risk of reoffending.
Keeping the public safe from harm, discrimination and conflict is crucial to ensuring Scotland is a place of safety, inclusiveness, and wellbeing for everyone. Sacro’s Community Safety services provide support to address and raise awareness of hate crime, intolerance and abusive behaviour targeted at specific communities due to gender, race, colour, religion, or sexual orientation. We work with victims of crime and discrimination to provide the support they need to live peacefully and safely.
Sacro’s Public Protection services provide intensive monitoring and support to manage the risk of further offending by people who are assessed as posing a risk within the community. As with all services, we support individuals by providing bespoke support plans linked to their risks and needs in order to reduce the risk of harm.
Sacro is also an accredited training provider and provides consultancy and training services in Mediation and Restorative Justice to equip Sacro and other organisations to deliver best practice.
The organisation also works to promote wider understanding of the needs and issues of the people we support. To achieve our vision where Scotland is a place of safety, inclusiveness, and wellbeing for everyone, we seek to influence policy and legislation to increase the provision of evidence-based solutions based on the use of restorative practices and constructive conflict resolution, with the use of imprisonment restricted to those who have committed serious crimes or present a danger to the public.
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tigers Partner with Aberlour for The Biology of Belonging
tigers Group are delighted to be partnering with Aberlour Children’s Charity for The Biology of Belonging. Aberlour have generously agreed to lead our community of sponsors and will be exhibiting at the event too.
The Biology of Belonging is a groundbreaking, two-day – Not For Profit - conference bringing local and international voices to the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow to explore the biological, physiological and psychological impact of belonging on the brains of children, young people and adults.
We are welcoming leading speakers such as Dan Siegel, Claudia Gold, James Docherty and Vivian McKinnon to the stage, with former broadcaster and current child therapist Kate Silverton chairing the event, helping to frame the content of both days for our audience.
This two-day event will feature keynote presentations, fireside chats, immersive workshops and audience Q&As, exploring the topics of children and young people's mental health, the power of relationships in a divisive world, the impact of restorative practice in the justice system, and benefits to business of adopting inclusive and trauma-informed polices and practice.
Further to this, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Timpson Group and Head of The Timpson Foundation Darren Burns will be speaking at a business breakfast, giving insights into the group’s pioneering approach to business and recruitment, with their focus on recruiting from the justice community.
Aberlour is the largest solely Scottish children’s charities, helping to improve the lives of Scotland’s disadvantaged children and young people.
Aberlour’s mission is to reach Scotland’s disadvantaged children as early as possible to stop damage being done, before families reach crisis point, before it’s too late. Acting quickly, significantly improves long-term outcomes for children and young people.
Speaking on this new partnership, Group Commercial Director, Gerry Hamill said:
“We are delighted to have a values-aligned partner like Aberlour supporting The Biology of Belonging. Belonging is a fundamental biological need for our children, young people, and the adults in the lives of young people.
This event is an innovative professional development opportunity for leaders or aspiring leaders, bringing the most current research and neurobiology into our businesses, communities and of course society. ”
Speaking on their support of The Biology of Belonging, Aberlour Chief Executive, SallyAnn Kelly OBE said:
“Aberlour Children’s Charity is delighted to be sponsoring the Tigers ‘Biology of Belonging’ conference this year.
Supporting disadvantaged children and young people who have faced difficulties and trauma has never been more important, something Aberlour has been doing for 150 years. We understand the value of, and are committed to building strong relationships. Aligned with the UNCRC and Keeping the Promise we believe that every child should feel safe, loved and that they belong, in order to thrive and not just survive.
This conference is a chance to reflect, explore and understand the importance of that sense of belonging and why it matters for all children, young people and families across Scotland. “
Classroom to Construction Site: Hands-On Learning for Foundation Apprentices
Foundation Apprenticeships create opportunities for pupils to take their first steps into industry. With our delivery in North Lanarkshire showcasing this by allowing a group of pupils form Coatbridge and St Ambrose High Schools undertaking their Foundation Apprenticeship on a live site.
In partnership with Kier, North Lanarkshire Council and hub South West Scotland we are able to deliver Foundation Apprenticeships on the site of St Kevin’s Community Hub. Allowing the young people to experience life in construction and understand what really happens on a live site.
Running through the duration of the academic year, from August 2024 to June 2025, the students attend every Friday and spend the full day in the environment of a live site. Throughout the year they will learn skills in bricklaying, joinery and more, along with soft skills such as employability. A significant part of their Foundation Apprenticeship is the completion of a work based project. To complete this they are building benches that will go into the Bargeddie Community Gardens, allowing the young people to make a tangible positive impact in their own community.
We thank our partners for the opportunity and experience provided to these young people. These collaborations provide students with insights into the construction industry’s expectations and opportunities, bridging the gap between education and employment. We believe that investing in apprentices is an investment in the future of the construction industry. Through collaboration, training, and real-world experience, we are preparing the next generation of skilled professionals who will go on to shape Scotland’s construction sector for years to come.
Inspiring Potential since 2001.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a big deal here at tigers. We’re always excited to hear from candidates about their apprenticeships. We want to know what they learned and how they’ve grown as people, both personally and professionally.
During the week, we caught up with both Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships on their experiences, we had a look behind the scenes and made sure to have fun throughout the week.
Our content from the week
To kickstart Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025, we had the pleasure of joining Jackie Baillie MSP on a visit to Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre in Helensburgh. The visit was a fantastic opportunity to witness the impact of apprenticeships in early years education and to celebrate the commitment of those shaping the future of childcare.
To read this blog in full, please visit: Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre visit with Jackie Baillie MSP
Caitlyn shared her journey of completing a Level 4 (SCQF Level 9) Modern Apprenticeship in Early Years at Lullaby Lane Nurseries and how this has prepared her for her next steps into leadership!
We spoke to Jayden, Curtis & Lillie who showcase the benefits of the apprenticeship family, having completed Foundation Apprenticeships while at school, they are looking ahead with ambitions to undertake Modern Apprenticeships!
Having studied to become an Art Teacher, Katie struggled to find permanent work and looked towards Early Years. Now completing a Modern Apprenticeship at Lullaby Lane Nurseries, Katie is loving life in Early Years and we were delighted to be able to share her story!
Sophie first joined tigers as a Foundation Apprentice while at school, before completing an Early Years Modern Apprenticeship at Lullaby Lane Nurseries and is now back at tigers group as a Digital Marketing Apprentice!
Chloe has found her way into Construction through joining the team at tigers as an apprentice trainer! Working with the experienced team at our Construction Academy, Chloe is ready to inspire more young women into the industry!
We also went behind the scenes at our Construction Academy, with a day in the life, finding out what a day looks like completing a Modern Apprenticeship with tigers!
@tigersgroup_ 🦺 Spend a day with us at our Construction Academy and find out more about what a #ModernApprenticeship with tigers entails! #ScotAppWeek25 #MadeForBusiness #InspiringPotential ♬ original sound - tigers
We had some fun, inviting all our apprentices to take park in the sunglasses trend, Scottish Apprenticeship Week edition 😎
@tigersgroup_ 😎 Sunglasses trend Scottish Apprenticeship Week edition 🕶 #scotappweek25 #madeforbusiness #inspiringpotential #sunglassestrend #sunglasses #fyp #youngpeople ♬ original sound - 𝓆𝒾𝓁 - 𝔮𝔦𝔩
Paradigm Landscapes shared a thought-provoking blog on how they support the next generation, celebrating the opportunities that apprenticeships create for young people and businesses across Scotland!
Read this blog in full: Scottish Apprenticeship Week: How Paradigm Landscapes Supports the Next Generation
We were also proud to share a new blog, on what has been A Year of Exceptional Achievement in Qualification Delivery, which included highlighted starting Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025 with over 500 live candidates, all progressing through various qualifications. Along with having successfully certificated over 1000 candidates over the past year.
Read this blog in full: A Year of Exceptional Achievement in Qualification Delivery
We’re already looking forward to Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026, see you there!
Celebrating #IWD2025
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible women in leadership at Lullaby Lane Nurseries. This year, we’re privileged to share the stories and experiences of our talented depute managers, who bring passion, dedication, and inspiration to our nurseries every day.
In this special feature, you’ll hear firsthand about their unique journeys—from starting as apprentices to becoming leaders within our organisation. They’ll share insights on balancing work and family life, the challenges and rewards of being a working mother, and how they navigate the responsibilities of leadership while staying true to themselves.
Join us as we celebrate their achievements, learn from their experiences, and continue to support and uplift women in leadership roles at Lullaby Lane Nurseries and beyond.
Collette Cassidy
Hello, my name is Colette Cassidy, I am one of our Depute Managers at Lullaby Lane Nursery Milngavie.
My journey at Lullaby Lane started 10 years ago as a Modern Apprentice when I was only 16 years old. I have always been passionate about watching children grow & thrive. After 4 wonderful years of caring for our babies, I decided I would like to take the next step in my career. This is when I completed my SVQ Level 4 in Leadership & Management & progressed onto my team leader position. My passion has always been creating a safe, nurturing environment full of love for our children and now leading our team to support them grow & develop is now one of my many responsibilities.
In 2021 I first became a mum to my little boy, then 2022 we completed our family with my little girl. Returning from maternity leave was difficult but I was so fortunate to have a wonderful team around me to support. I had always wanted to continue to progress within my career after having my family. Upon my return to work I was promoted to Depute Manager.
I am forever grateful for the support in helping me to find a healthy work & family life balance.
Rachael McElroy
I have been with Lullaby for 8 years in June this year! Starting off my journey at Lullaby Westerton as a nursery practitioner then moving to our Milngavie site. Whilst in Milngavie I was promoted to Deputy Manager and moved back to our Westerton nursery. Throughout my time working my way up I have had nothing but support from all the ladies in leadership at Lullaby, without them I wouldn’t have the confidence I have today to be where I am!
Whilst at Westerton I was promoted to Manager, and I then fell pregnant with my first child. This was a whole new experience for me however the support from Pauline and Donna made the transition so much easier. I was thinking miles ahead in terms of when I would return/hours, however Pauline assured me just to enjoy my time with my boy as I wouldn’t know how I felt until I had him. When it was time to return, it was a scary stage. I struggled with post-natal anxiety and was starting to feel better but then it was time to settle my baby and return myself.
However, this was made so much easier as I was able to chat with Pauline regarding my hours and my position, as I was bringing Rio to Milngavie to support my work life balance. I also moved back to Milngavie and joined the leadership team as one of our deputy mangers.
I feel there is a stigma around women having a career and family however it is manageable if you’re able to set your own boundaries and have a fantastic team behind you like I do! The highlight of being in leadership is supporting our team to be the best they can be to support our children.
Natalie Agnew
My journey at Lullaby Lane started nearly 7 years ago. Before this I worked in the third sector and during my maternity leave with my first child, the funding for my role ended, so I began to look for other opportunities. This is when I came across Lullaby Lane. It was a daunting time returning to work after being in a baby bubble for so long, and especially to become the new person in the workplace again, but I was welcomed into the team with open arms and this really helped ease me back into the world of work after 9 months off.
I have continued to progress within the nursery from a modern apprentice up to my current role as Depute Manager. When I voiced that I’d like to take on more responsibility within the nursery this was always met with support and opportunities to allow me to do this. The leadership team championed me and if I ever needed help or made the wrong decision then someone was always there.
In between all of this, I’ve had my second baby, who will be 2 soon. Again, this was met with nothing but love and support from those around me at Lullaby.
This made going off on maternity leave and returning to work a lot easier than I imagined, as the connection was still maintained in a number of ways throughout my time off.
Of course, it’s always hard finding that balance between work and motherhood but working in a female orientated workplace you’re always met with people who you can relate to and who understand what it’s like when you’ve been up every hour throughout the night, or you don’t want to miss your child’s sports day. It helps you to realise that you’re not alone and you build a sense of community with people who are always there to pick you up when you need it. I’m lucky that the other deputes and our manager, Donna, are all working mums as well, so we all pull together to ensure we are getting that time to navigate being in a leadership role whilst being a mum.
There’s no better feeling when you’ve got people around you who celebrate your little ones as much as you do.
There can sometimes still be a stigma around women in leadership, and that women should have to choose between a career or a family, but with the right people around then it’s possible to be both.
A Year of Exceptional Achievement in Qualification Delivery
At Tigers, we are dedicated to empowering individuals through high-quality training and apprenticeships, and this past contract year has been a testament to our commitment. We are proud to share that, according to a recent Systems Verification conducted by SQA, Tigers has demonstrated exceptional success in apprenticeship delivery.
500+ Live Candidates & 1000+ Certifications
One of the standout findings from the verification was the incredible volume of candidates actively engaged with Tigers. We start Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025 with over 500 live candidates, all progressing through various qualifications. We have also successfully certificated over 1000 candidates over the past year—a number that will continue to rise as more candidates complete their qualifications.
Our Partners
Spark of Genius – with 91 candidates registered since our partnership began in 2022, our work with Spark of Genius has seen them become our largest partner in our Social Services Children and Young People (SSCYP) delivery. Covering both Level 3 and 4 Modern Apprenticeship we are delighted to be working so closely to help them achieve their goals of offering individualised pathways to empower and enable children and young people.
Morgan Sindall Construction – Since launching this Joint Venture (JV) in 2021 we have registered 89 young people on the Level 5 Construction Civil Engineering Operations Modern Apprenticeship. This partnership helps to address the UK wide skills gap in the Construction sector. Influenced by our Relationship Led Practice model our JV is a seismic shift in the approach to training for the construction sector, addressing emotional health, suicide and gender imbalance, as well as general skills gaps and an ageing workforce.
"Spark of Genius started working with Tigers to facilitate and support the development of our workforce, primarily through the provision of the Modern apprenticeships in August 2022. Since this time, a number of our practitioners have gained their qualifications, equipping them with knowledge, skills and expertise in residential childcare and met their SSSC registration requirements. This has all been made possible through the support, organisational arrangements and excellent communication from Yvonne and Lynsey at Tigers.”
Mags Solomon, QA & Safeguarding Manager and Shirley Cairney, Head of Children's Services, Spark of Genius
Commitment to Relationship-Led Practice
At Tigers, we firmly believe in the power of relationships to foster meaningful learning experiences. Our apprenticeship delivery is entirely face-to-face and in person, ensuring that each candidate benefits from real-time support and direct engagement with our assessors. This approach reflects our commitment to Relationship-Led Practice, where meaningful connections between trainers and learners enhance skills development, confidence, and long-term success.
By prioritising in-person engagement, we create a learning environment that is collaborative, supportive, and responsive to the individual needs of each apprentice.
Exceptional Recognition from SQA
Kelly, our external verifier from SQA, described this achievement as “exceptional for a national training provider and rare, with a wide span of delivery.” This feedback is a true credit to the dedication and hard work of the entire Tigers team, including our administration training and assessing teams.
Unlike other external visits that focus on industry-specific qualifications, SQA Systems Verification evaluates the entire approach to process, procedures, and accreditation within a training centre. This recognition highlights not only our ability to deliver at scale but also the quality and consistency of our training across multiple sectors.
Continuous Growth & Future Aspirations
While we celebrate this achievement, we are also using this feedback as an opportunity for growth. The verification process has provided us with valuable insights into how we can refine our documentation and practices to further strengthen our already robust delivery model. As we step into the 2025-26 contract year, we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that Tigers remains at the forefront of training excellence.
Inspiring potential since 2001.
Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre visit with Jackie Baillie MSP
To kickstart Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025, we had the pleasure of joining Jackie Baillie MSP on a visit to Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre in Helensburgh. The visit was a fantastic opportunity to witness the impact of apprenticeships in early years education and to celebrate the commitment of those shaping the future of childcare.
Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre provides a nurturing environment for children from birth to five years, with free-flowing indoor and outdoor spaces designed to support their development through play and exploration.
We are currently working with seven Modern Apprentices at Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre who, supporting them through both level 3 and level 4 qualifications. All of these Modern Apprentices are support by our Early Years Assessor, Lynsey.
"Tigers Early Years Academy have been in partnership with Drumfork Nursery and Family Centre for a year and a half. We currently have seven candidates undertaking their SSCYP Level 3 within Drumfork. Throughout our partnership we have found Drumfork to be extremely welcoming with values that align with Tigers, you can feel the warmth and love as you walk into their purpose-built calm and tranquil establishment. Working alongside Drumfork we take on a joint approach to ensure candidates flourish and grow in their own unique way throughout their qualification to become compassionate and confident practitioners. It’s a pleasure to be part of Drumfork through working as their assessor and I am grateful for the strong connections Tigers have built there!”
Lynsey Beaton, Early Years Assessor
Beyond their commitment to high-quality childcare and training, Drumfork is also a proud supporter of the Armed Forces Covenant. Recognising the contributions of serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and military families, the nursery goes above and beyond in its support, earning the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. This reflects their dedication to ensuring no member of the Armed Forces community faces disadvantage.
Jackie Baillie MSP, a strong advocate for skills development and apprenticeships, engaged with staff and apprentices during the visit, reaffirming the importance of investing in people. Jackie also spent time chatting with the children as we passed through the different rooms, taking a genuine interest in their play and what they had to say.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week highlights the benefits of apprenticeships for individuals, businesses, and communities, and at Drumfork, this impact is clear to see. We look forward to continuing our work with the team at Drumfork Nursery & Family Centre and supporting them to create the best environment for their children to learn and grow.
The Biology of Belonging
The Biology of Belonging conference is scheduled for May 7th and 8th, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow. This event aims to delve into the fundamental human need for belonging, examining its biological underpinnings and the profound impact it has on our communities.
Featuring six world-renowned speakers, the conference promises a dynamic blend of scientific insights, practical strategies, and lived experiences:
- Gordon Neufeld is a Vancouver-based developmental psychologist with over 50 years of experience with children and youth and those responsible for them. A foremost authority on child development, Dr. Neufeld is an international speaker, a bestselling author (Hold On To Your Kids) and a leading interpreter of the developmental paradigm.
- Claudia M. Gold, is a paediatrician and writer who practiced general and behavioural paediatrics for over 20 years and now focuses on how relationships and emotional connection shape human development. Dr. Gold’s most recent book is Getting to Know You: Lessons in Early Relational Health from Infants and Caregivers is due to release in March 2025.
- Richard Schwartz is the creator of Internal Family Systems, a highly effective, evidence-based therapeutic model that de-pathologizes the multi-part personality. His IFS Institute offers training for professionals and the general public. He is currently on the faculty of Harvard Medical School, and has published five books, including No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model.
- Darren Burns is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Timpson Group, as well as being the head of the Timpson Foundation. He specialises in both the recruitment and retention of ex-offenders and others who face barriers to employment. Darren also fosters relationships with many UK prisons and organisations such a police and probation services, while also managing the Timpson prison training academies, and has responsibility for overseeing the transition from custody and into the workplace.
- Darcia Narvaez is Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Notre Dame, and Fellow of the American Psychological Association, American Educational Research Association, Association for Psychological Science, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her most recent books include Restoring the Kinship Worldview, and The Evolved Nest: Nature’s Way of Raising Children and Creating Connected Communities. Her book, Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom won the 2015 William James Book Award from the American Psychological Association and the 2017 Expanded Reason Award.
- Dan Siegel: A renowned expert in interpersonal neurobiology, Dr. Siegel’s work examines how relationships shape the brain and how understanding this can deepen connection and compassion. Dan Siegel is the executive director of the Mindsight Institute and founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Centre at UCLA, where he was also Co-Principal Investigator of the Centre for Culture, Brain and Development and Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, Dan is the author of five New York Times bestsellers and over fifteen other books which have been translated into over forty languages.
The event is structured to provide attendees with a comprehensive and engaging experience. Each day will feature insightful talks, complemented by workshops during lunch breaks that align with the day’s themes. On Wednesday evening, participants will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with all speakers during a casual meet-and-greet session, including a Q&A segment. Additionally, Thursday morning will host a business breakfast led by Darren Burns, offering insights into how the Timpson Group applies the theory and science of belonging in practice.
Understanding the biology of belonging is crucial, as social support promotes survival, and natural selection has built a brain that rewards us with the good feeling of oxytocin when we find social support. This conference aims to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application, empowering individuals and organisations to foster environments where everyone feels they belong.
Whether you’re a professional, educator, or changemaker, this conference is an opportunity to gain practical tools and insights to foster environments where everyone feels they truly belong.
For more details and ticket information, visit the official event page.
#ScottishCareersWeek - Sophie's tigers Journey
Sophie has recently rejoined tigers Group as a Digital Marketing Apprentice after previously working in childcare, including working in our own Lullaby Lane Nursery! Hear about Sophie's journey through the workplace and changing careers for #ScottishCareersWeek!
I started out my journey with tigers Group in August 2021 when I completed an Foundation Apprenticeship in Childhood Practice whilst also at school, this really benefited me as it gave me a chance to learn more about childcare before deciding if it was what I wanted to do when I left school.
I completed this course with Lisa who supported me throughout the full course, she was always very understanding and was happy to help with any issues or questions I had. This course was 2 afternoons a week, where they came out to the school to deliver it, this meant I was also able to focus on other subjects as well as completing this. Although this was only two days a week, Lisa was always available throughout the week if I had to email her for any help or questions. Halfway through this course, I was given the opportunity to go out to tigers' own nursery Lullaby Lane for placement, this is when I realised childcare was really what I wanted to do. August 2022 was when I completed and passed my childcare course, which gave me the courage to leave school and apply full time in a nursery.
Starting my apprenticeship journey
I was fortunate enough that tigers also offered Modern Apprenticeship positions in childcare. Lisa got in touch with Lullaby Lane to see if they had any MA positions available, and they then got in touch with me offering an interview. I passed the interview stage and was ready to start my new journey, I was very nervous to do this, but I had no doubts of how supportive tigers are, and that made me feel more at ease. I then started full time in the nursey, where I had an assessor called Lynsey who was also amazing and supported me through my MA, Lynsey was always so approachable and was always happy to help and support me where and when needed.
My position at Lullaby Lane was 4 days a week, 7:15am-6:15pm which was great because it then allowed me a day a week to focus on completing my coursework. This took me around 12 months to complete but was absolutely worth it. I was able to gain so much knowledge on this course through the course work but also being able to get the experience as well.
I was then a qualified practitioner and Lullaby kept me on, where I was able to do have more responsibility with planning and key children which was an amazing opportunity which allowed me to gain more confidence within childcare.
Lullaby and tigers have taught me so much, not only on childcare but also a lot about myself, my emotions and how to deal and look at things with an different approach and I am very grateful for that as it has helped me as a person. I loved the attachment-led approach that Lullaby offered I feel it is amazing for families, children and also staff. I made so many relationships and memories through Lullaby as I was there for a year and a half, but I wanted to experience what a nursery that wasn’t attachment-led was like so I decided to try out a new nursery and take everything I had learned and knew to a new environment which was a different experience.
The American adventure
I was in a new nursery for only 6 months when I started to reconsider if childcare was for me, the unknown of what I wanted to do gave me the courage to go on a new adventure, this was then when I took the leap to applying for Camp America. I applied online, got through to the interview stage and then was very lucky to be given the opportunity to go to Boston in the USA for 3 months. I left for the USA in May 2024, and was very nervous about this as I was going myself and not knowing anyone over there but it turned out to be the best thing for me. This pushed me out of my comfort zone and showed me that there is so much to life and you really can do anything if you put your mind to it.
My journey into marketing began with an eye-opening experience while at Camp America this year, where I discovered how powerful and engaging communication can be in connecting with people and driving positive change. These experiences taught me how to connect with diverse individuals, manage responsibilities efficiently, and create engaging, supportive environments. However, my perspective shifted dramatically during my time at Camp America, where I was involved in helping organize events, promoting activities, and engaging with a wide audience.
At Camp America, I enjoyed contributing ideas that had interests with both staff and campers. I enjoyed the challenge of using creative strategies to increase participation and enhance the camp experience. I realised that my true passion lay in exploring how marketing can be used to influence and engage people on a larger scale.
Beginning the marketing journey
My transition from childcare to marketing is not as unconventional as it might seem. The skills I developed in my previous career—such as communication, problem-solving, and understanding diverse perspectives—are directly transferable to marketing. My experience in child care has given me a strong foundation in understanding audience needs, tailoring messages effectively, and building meaningful connections, all of which are crucial in marketing communications.
When arriving back from the USA in August, I reached out to Pauline and explained how I'm feeling towards completely changing my career path, Pauline is very approachable so I knew I was able to reach out to her about any potential opportunities. Pauline then put me in contact with Oliver, who is the marketing manager.
We met in person and spoke about what my thoughts were, what I wanted to do and why I wanted to change. Not long after our conversation Oliver was in touch to say he was able to offer me a Digital Marketing Apprenticeship full time.
So now here I am, returning back to tigers in a completely different job and feel just as supported as I did back when I began with tigers. I can only thank tigers for all the support and confidence they have given me over the years.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is always a highlight of the calendar here at tigers. We love to hear from candidates on their experiences during their apprenticeships, not only to hear about what they learned but also on how they’ve grown as an individual.
During the week we spoke to a range of Apprenticeships candidates, across Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships.
Aaron, Callum & Jack all completed Modern Apprenticeships as part of tigers Joint Venture with Morgan Sindall Construction and since completed their qualifications are now employed by Dalcon Civil Engineering working across Scotland!
Amyleigh & Harry first joined tigers when they undertook Foundation Apprenticeships while still at school. Since then they have both taken the next step and moved on to Modern Apprenticeships with Primrose City Nursery!
We also caught up with G4 Claims who have been upskilling their staff through SVQ’s in Management
Ewan found his opportunity with Paradigm Landscapes through tigers Joint Venture with Morgan Sindall Construction, he’s since completed his Modern Apprenticeship & joined Paradigm Landscapes as a Junior Landscaper!
We rounded off the week with Hollie sharing her story. After completing her Level 3 Hollie has taken the step up to Team Leader at Lullaby Lane, becoming a role model & inspiring the team around her as she now works towards her Level 4!
Scottish Apprenticeship Week also gave us an opportunity to again hear from our Schools partners, sharing the voices of teachers and pupils from Glasgow and West on the impact Foundation Apprenticeships have had in their schools.
You can find all of these videos over on our YouTube!
We’re already looking forward to Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025!