When Tamsyn Radmall (MA Hons 2016) first visited Edinburgh, her mind was quickly made up: this is where she wanted to study. “I grew up in North London, in High Barnet. It’s a diverse area with large Jewish, Jamaican, and Muslim communities. About 10% of leavers from my school would go on to further education. Coming from there, Scotland felt like an adventure. I came to visit in sixth form and loved it—the castle in the middle of the city, Scottish culture, the warmth of the people. I applied but didn’t think I would get in!“At school I looked at a range of subjects for university. From a young age I’d always been fascinated by questions of truth and faith. I was a questioner and wanted to be around people like that. Being from a diverse place where there were different understandings of religion, I wanted to understand that and learn how to delve into people’s stories.“Joint honours in philosophy and theology was often amazing and sometimes challenging. I did philosophy of logic and time, looking at big concepts of reality. In theology, I focused on Christian views of faith. Combining those was helpful in giving me a wider perspective in exploring different schools of thought.“After graduation, I stayed on in Edinburgh and wanted to apply my own faith in the world. I spent a few years combining different roles: as a carer for a child with complex needs, working in a prison, supporting women in the red light district, working for my church, and with a schools-based charity. Eventually, I was keen to move into a full-time role and joined Home For Good. “Home For Good is a Christian charity that mobilises churches to support children in the care system through fostering, supported lodging, or adoption, or getting trauma-informed training. My work is very varied. I oversee our networks in Scotland and Northern Ireland and engage with a range of people —church leaders, care experienced children, foster carers (and those considering fostering), and MSPs. Seeing children come into family is a joy. That doesn’t mean you solve everything, but seeing children feel safe in a home environment is a privilege. “In my job I need to pivot quickly between different people, thoughts, and religious traditions. My degree gave me the tools to do that. I’m grateful for it.” Publication date 01 Jan, 2025
