A FORMER Ardrossan Academy pupil has been awarded an OBE in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to people with dementia. 

Professor June Andrew, who has just completed ten years as the Director of the Dementia Services Development Centre at the University of Stirling, is thrilled to be recognised for her work. 

June said: “It is a great thrill to have this recognition. It brings more attention to the need for good care and attention for people with dementia and the families who care for them. I’ve been very lucky to have great teams to work with.”

The University has recently elected June as Professor “Emeritus” in light of her fantastic work in dementia care. 

After leaving Ardrossan Academy, June undertook a degree at the University of Glasgow and then trained as a nurse before working in the NHS at the Royal College of Nursing and also in the Scottish Government. 

Professor June is internationally recognised and has recently returned from a North American book tour promoting a new edition of her book ‘Dementia the One Stop Guide’ - a guide for families and professionals. 

June is also thankful for the help and support that she received at Ardrossan Academy. She added: “The French I learned in Mr Mooney’s class has helped me in places where English is not spoken, and the encouragement of Mr Blakely kept me at my studies when I felt like giving up.”

Over the past few years, June has worked across the world, as far away as Australian and New Zealand, focusing on what is practical and makes a difference for people with dementia and their carers. 

She said: “There are two possible journeys for people with dementia. On one people stay as well as possible for as long as possible. Otherwise they go downhill faster than they need to.

“We need to make sure that everyone knows how to stay well and to spot the avoidable problems.”

Her father, Jon McCallum, who still lives in Saltcoats, is a well known face in the town and for many years drove a bus for A1. 

Although June now lives near to Edinburgh, she still frequently visits her home town, along with her sister Hazel and brothers Gordon and Ian McCallum.