Team Manager

Alice Ruthven Hughes | Manager, Fairbridge Dundee

Fairbridge managers are the ‘public face’ of the team. They make friends in high places, influence local policy and oversee the day-to-day management of the team programme, staff and resources.

Who are you and what do you do?

I work in the Dundee Team where I have been the team manager for 3 years.

So what does a Team Manager do?

As a manager I do as they say on the tin. I oversee the work and development of the whole team. On a day to day basis I do a lot of networking and partnership development. One of my main roles is overseeing the finance of the project. Over the past year I have also had responsibility for the developing building work which is still ongoing.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is seeing the team develop and the work take off. I really like to try new ideas and meet new people. It is great to see a relationship develop with partners that then develops into courses for young people.

What did you do on Access?

I went to an island on loch Tay with the midges! It was hard work with our own dug out toilet! I was marooned on a smaller island then rescued - it was great, 6 young men made the best spag bol that I have ever tasted!

Best/worst moment at Fairbridge?

Off, in my first month I broke my finger, in my third I had a fractured skull, in my 10th month I thought I was going blind so I have been called the ‘walking disaster’. The staff put cotton wool all around my desk, they left me a hardhat and put bubble wrap all over my floor it was soooo funny!

What’s it like working with young people?

Some of the young people can be really hard work - they come to us with so many diverse issues and trust us with their development. It is really great to see a young person’s confidence grow and the best thing is when you get some comments saying, “Don’t tell anyone I said this, but this is great!” So many young people need chances, I’ve often take this for granted, young people have been given opportunities and to see someone move on and exit to a job college or training is great.