A career change can be a big step, but the right support and opportunities can open the door to something completely new. We’re delighted to share this recent success story from a Moray SWAP participant who took the opportunity to explore a new career in childcare.
“I previously worked in catering for 20 years, but I was ready for a career change. This course helped me explore childcare, build my confidence, and learn lots of useful skills.
It’s a 2-week course covering things like child development, the importance of play, behaviour support, keeping children safe and accredited qualifications in first aid and food hygiene. We also had employer visits, which were really helpful for understanding real job opportunities and next steps.
I also met some really lovely people and made new friends – everyone was so supportive and welcoming and every morning was a day to look forward to meeting my new friends and lecturers.
I’m over the moon to now say that after completing the course and support from Moray SWAP, I’ve now secured a job in childcare, which I’m very grateful and thankful and proud of!
If you’re thinking about it, I would honestly really encourage you to give it a go. It’s a great introduction and could be the start of something completely new and positive and a life changing opportunity.
I can’t wait to encourage young minds and help with growth and development and give children the support that I had received while changing my whole world.”
Lisa, Step into Childcare, Moray SWAP
Almost 100 people from across Moray came together on Friday 21 August for a successful Moray Childcare Network Event, providing an opportunity to connect, share learning, celebrate progress and look ahead to an exciting new chapter for children and families across the area.
Hosted at UHI Moray, the event brought together childcare providers, schools, community and third-sector organisations, employability services, activity providers and local and national partners.
The morning was opened by Councillor Kathleen Robertson, who spoke passionately about the importance of childcare to children, families, communities and Moray’s wider economy.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement that Moray has been successful in securing significant Scottish Government investment to develop a new programme of wider after-school activities for primary school-aged children.
Up to £1.6 million investment in Moray
Moray Council has been offered up to £1.6 million of Scottish Government funding between August 2026 and March 2028 to develop and test new approaches to wider after-school activity provision.
Moray is one of a small number of areas across Scotland selected to help explore how locally designed activity programmes can improve access to opportunities for children and families who may otherwise experience financial or practical barriers to participating.
The new Children’s Activities Programme will initially see locally designed models developed in the Buckie and Forres areas, supporting primary school-aged children and their families after the school day.
Activities could include a broad mix of sport and physical activity, arts and crafts, drama, dance, digital activities, outdoor experiences, social activities and team-building opportunities. The programme will also consider some of the practical barriers families face, including transport, affordability and access to suitable provision.
Importantly, this will not be about creating a one-size-fits-all model or replacing the valuable services already operating in Moray. The programme will be developed with communities, children, families and existing providers, building on local strengths and complementing current childcare and activity provision.
Learning from the initial phase will help shape the programme as it develops and will also contribute to the Scottish Government’s wider understanding of how after-school activities can support children and families.
The investment has the potential to help:
- reduce inequalities in children’s access to activities;
- improve health, wellbeing and opportunities for children;
- provide families with greater access to reliable after-school activities;
- reduce practical barriers that can prevent parents and carers from accessing employment, education or training;
- strengthen partnerships between childcare, activity providers, schools and community organisations; and
- develop evidence about what works in rural communities such as Moray.
The announcement provided a particularly positive backdrop to the Network Event and reinforced the importance of the partnerships already developing across Moray.
Sharing what is already happening
The event was also an opportunity to showcase some of the excellent work already underway.
Attendees heard updates from a range of organisations and projects, including Extra Time with Elgin City FC, Flexible Childcare Services Scotland, M-Connect transport, Step into Childcare, the CALA Moray Staff Bank and UHI childcare pathways, demonstrating the breadth of work taking place to improve childcare, activities, workforce development and support for families.
Bringing these different strands together highlighted an important message from the event: improving opportunities for children and families cannot be achieved by one organisation or service alone. Childcare and children’s activities are closely connected to employability, education, transport, family wellbeing, tackling child poverty, economic development and strong communities.
Listening to the sector
A significant part of the morning was dedicated to facilitated table discussions, giving attendees the opportunity to share their experiences and identify what is working well, where challenges remain and what they would like to see developed in the future.
Conversations explored themes including affordability, rural access and transport, workforce recruitment and retention, flexible provision, additional support needs, communication with families and greater partnership working.
There was a strong emphasis on ensuring future developments build on existing provision rather than duplicating it, while recognising that different communities across Moray may require different solutions.
Looking to the future
Participants were also asked to contribute to a Future Ideas Wall, sharing one idea or action they would like to see happen for childcare and children’s activities in Moray. The wall quickly filled with ideas, demonstrating the knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm within the sector.
Feedback gathered through the table discussions, Future Ideas Wall and post-event evaluation will now be brought together and used to help inform future planning and partnership activity. This is particularly important as work begins to mobilise the new Children’s Activities Programme. Engagement with children, families, communities and existing providers will be central to developing approaches that respond to local need and are realistic, inclusive and sustainable.
Stronger together
Perhaps the clearest success of the Childcare Network Event was simply seeing so many different people, organisations and services in the same room, sharing ideas and making connections. Moray already has a wealth of experience, commitment and innovative practice across its childcare, activities and community sectors. The new investment provides an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation rather than start again.
A huge thank you goes to everyone who attended, presented, hosted information stands, facilitated discussions and helped organise and support the event. Most importantly, thank you to everyone who contributed their experience, ideas and ambitions for children and families in Moray.
With significant new investment secured and strong partnerships already in place, the Childcare Network Event marked not an end point, but the beginning of an exciting next stage for children’s activities and family support across Moray.
Congratulations to the twelve participants who successfully completed the Moray SWAP
Step into Childcare course at UHI Moray. All twelve people who started the course completed it, marking a fantastic achievement and reflecting the enthusiasm and commitment shown throughout the programme.
Over 14 days, participants gained valuable knowledge, practical skills and recognised qualifications to help prepare them for a future in the childcare sector. The course included Childcare First Aid certification, REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene, learning around child development, safeguarding, supporting children’s behaviour, and the importance of play and outdoor play.
A real highlight of the course was the opportunity to visit a range of childcare settings across Moray. These industry visits gave participants first-hand insight into the different career opportunities available and helped bring classroom learning to life by showcasing the variety of roles within the sector.
Designed to support people returning to learning or work, exploring a new career, or taking their first steps into childcare, the course aims to build confidence while providing practical experience and recognised qualifications.
We are delighted that every participant completed the course and wish them every success as they take their next steps.
Well done to everyone involved.
Interested in a future Step into Childcare course?
To find out more about upcoming courses and opportunities, contact the Moray SWAP team at swap.moray@uhi.ac.uk
Mikeysline offer text-based, callback, online and face-to-face support for people of all ages struggling to cope with their mental health and/or suicidal thoughts throughout the Highlands, Islands and Moray.
Mikeysline is focused on raising awareness and breaking down the stigma that can prevent people from talking openly and seeking support.
For people in Moray, face-to-face and telephone appointments are available in Elgin on Mondays and Thursdays.
To access support or book an appointment, visit the Mikeysline website or text 07786 207755.
The team at Strathisla Children’s Centre in Keith are expanding their services and can now offer breakfast, after school and holiday clubs on top of their existing early learning and childcare services.
They are keen to understand the needs of families in and around Keith so that they can better support children and families in the local community.
Can you please complete this short survey and let them know what services you need.
Award-winning Progress for Parents expands to Forres and Lossiemouth
An award-winning project supporting parents to build confidence and skills is expanding to new communities across Moray.
Progress for Parents, delivered by Moray Pathways in partnership with Moray Council’s Employability Team and Community Learning and Development (Adult & Family Learning), has launched groups in Forres and Lossiemouth.
It comes just months after the original group, which runs weekly sessions in Buckie, was recognised with a prestigious Scotland’s Learning Partnership Award.
Since launching in February 2024, Progress for Parents has supported parents to overcome personal challenges, reduce social isolation and take positive steps towards volunteering, further learning and employment.
Participants have gone on to explore paid work placements, plan careers in childcare and, in some cases, start their own businesses.
Weekly Progress for Parents sessions in Buckie, Forres and Lossiemouth
A support event took place in Forres on 24 February for individuals affected by redundancy at Orbex.
The local PACE (Partnership Action for Continuing Employment) Partnership was on hand to provide expert support, including careers advice, help with CVs and interview skills, information on learning and training opportunities, money advice, and guidance on starting a business.
Support is available to anyone facing redundancy.
For more information or support, call 0800 917 8000 or find out more about PACE support.
Our first Creative Horizons session was a huge success!
Young people had an amazing time bringing their ideas to life, and their creations were nothing short of fun, fabulous, and inspiring.
The feedback? “Amazing, fun, and fabulous! We love seeing creativity in action and can’t wait for the next session!
A huge thank you to Duncan and M:ade for their support—your input made the session even more special!
Big shoutout to The Link for providing such a fantastic space for creativity to thrive!
The switch on was a great success!
So wonderful to see so many of you turn out to see the lights switched on at your new Community Space, The Link, on Saturday.
The facility will be a space for people of all ages, in the New Elgin, Pinefield and surrounding areas community, initially operating as a daytime drop-in centre, offering a range of taster sessions including parent and family drop-ins, crafts and other activities.
Well done to all involved.