Ministerial Visit at Dundee & Angus College

We kicked off Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week at Dundee & Angus College with a visit from Scottish Government Minister Graeme Dey MSP.

Mr Dey, local MSP and Minster for Government Business was on campus to celebrate the impact of the Active Campus Programme. He was joined by the Lord Provost of Dundee, Bill Campbell.

Arriving on campus, the party were met with an abundance of activity as the sports hall was packed with female students participating in table tennis and boccia. This lunchtime event was organised by Dundee & Angus’ Active Campus Coordinator Lauren Simpson, with support from Sport staff in the college.

A few students were given the opportunity to share their story including HND student Michelle, who has returned to college 11 years after first completing her NC. Her story is particularly inspiring. After pausing her studies to start a family, she was determined to return to studying Sport and Fitness following her diagnosis with a degenerative eye condition which is being helped by physical activity and continuing to look after herself.

Once she completes her studies, she hopes to work directly with people suffering from long term health conditions, and inspire them to make sport and physical activity a part of their regular lifestyle.

Following the activity session, there was an opportunity for discussion with Lauren given the opportunity to demonstrate the impact her role has had in front of the Minister, the College’s Senior Leaders, and partners from SSS, sportscotland and Colleges Scotland.

Commenting, Graeme Dey MSP said:

“It’s great to see the impact Lauren has made in her role. Seeing someone so enthusiastic about what she does, the numbers show that her work is having an impact and getting more students active on campus.

“Sport’s important for everyone, both in terms of participation and enjoyment. What’s great about her is the way sport has been opened up […] to students from across the college to access sport.”

Dundee & Angus Active Campus Coordinator Lauren Simpson said:

“When I first started [2023] there was nothing happening at our college in particular, and actually just raising the profile that sport and physical activity was within reach… that was the big step.

“For Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week it’s about promoting connection and all the other benefits that sport brings. I think it’s very underestimated what sport can do to change lives”.