Aidan Martin Becomes Latest Lifetime College Ambassador
The West Lothian College Lifetime Ambassador Award recognises someone who has made a huge contribution to the college. The award gives that person lifetime freedom of the college.
The Lifetime Ambassador Award was introduced at the 2019 graduation ceremony and there have been four recipients since then. Donna Peterson-Harvie who is co-founder of the Neil’s Hugs Foundation, entrepreneur John McGee, Roddy McKenzie who a director at Catalent Pharma Solutions, and Jim Johnstone who is head of communities and social impact at Morrison Construction.
At the graduation ceremony on 29 October, the college principal announced that the latest recipient of the West Lothian College Ambassador Award is local author, Aidan Martin.
Aidan graduated from the college with HNC Social Sciences in 2014 and often acknowledges the college for turning his life around. After college, he went onto achieve an honours degree at Glasgow Caledonian University, followed by a masters degree in Social Work in 2021.
Aidan is a published author and his first book, Euphoric Recall, came out in October 2020. This led to his activism on the drugs-death crisis, trauma, mental health and social deprivation.
Aidan has two further books in development, is a much sought-after speaker and trauma trainer, and the co-founder of a charity, The Scheme. Yet, he still finds time to support college students.
In October, the charity that Aidan set up along with his partner Mark Deans (also a West Lothian College graduate) gained charitable status. The college is proudly supporting The Scheme by hosting free workshops and offering the charity a base.
Jackie Galbraith, Principal of West Lothian College said:
“I was delighted to present Aidan with our Lifetime College Ambassador award. Everyone who works with Aidan is blown away by his passion, enthusiasm and capacity for helping others to understand the impact of trauma on people’s lives. We are very privileged that our students, staff and college benefit from this.”
Aidan Martin said:
“I am honoured, proud and privileged to receive this award. West Lothian College is my second home and that relationship began when they literally gave me a life-changing and lifesaving opportunity in 2011. They were trauma informed before the phrase was commonly used. Now they are also trauma responsive. I am proud to be affiliated with what I believe to be the best educational institution in the land. I will forever represent this college and give back to the students. Because that is what the college has done, and still does, for me. Together we are creating positive change in our community."