Shona Barakat

I was born in New Zealand but completed my higher education at the University of Dundee before traveling to the Near East to work as a Bacteriologist. I spent the next 20 years in Lebanon teaching English as a Second Language to adults following my marriage to Elie, a local Lebanese pastor. Once our four children were at school I began working as a high school English teacher in an evangelical school. I was also responsible for the youth and children's work that occurred in our church. 

Following our return to Scotland in order to allow our children access to further education, I was appointed by the three local Church of Scotland congregations in Montrose to be the Youth and Children's Worker in August 2021.

Elie has finally been given a residence visa to join us here in Montrose, but the process will need to be repeated in two and a half years.

As part of my Youth Worker’s post, I have started the following activities:

Term time:

MyPlay Groups for children aged 0 – 3 and their carers. 

Monday at Ferryden Church Hall and Thursday at Philos Community Hub from 9.30 to 11.30am.

A Bumps and Babies group will start soon for mothers and their under ones.

MYchat’n’Play: - a weekly playground activity at Lochside Primary School as well as a social skills Lego Club within the school.  An afterschool Lego Club is in planning with Rosemount Primary School.

I also work with Scripture Union Scotland to provide RME lessons in the local primary schools via a program called Bible Alive.

During school holidays I run a Lego Club in association with Angus Council as well as helping at the summer holiday clubs that the local churches run. 

And finally, as a fluent Arabic speaker, I partner with Angus Council Social Work department to support unaccompanied Arabic-speaking minors, particularly in their English acquisition and cultural integration.