A University of the West of Scotland alumnus is using the skills he learned in filmmaking and screenwriting to create content for Charity Diabetes Scotland, highlighting the effects on people of the lifelong condition.

Andy Burton, who graduated in 2016 with a first class honours degree in Filmmaking and Screenwriting from UWS, tells us about his career journey from graduation and how he couldn’t pass up on his dream job.

“I’ve always had a passion for storytelling,” said Andy. “Some of my fondest memories growing up involve making daft wee videos with my cousin on a Nokia 7600—no editing functions, just a stop-start recording button. A few years later, we were running around Cumbernauld Town Centre, making short films with old man masks and an entry-level DSLR.”

After a couple of years in the wilderness after school, including a brief stint at a naan bread factory, Andy returned to education enrolling on a Creative Writing course at City of Glasgow College. That’s where he discovered a deep passion for all sorts of creative endeavours, from poetry to scriptwriting.

“For the next four years, I studied Filmmaking and Screenwriting at UWS in Ayr, which further fuelled my love for cinema. I was introduced to films I never would have sought out on my own, like Gasper Noé’s Enter the Void, which I’ll never forget watching in the lecture theatre on a random Tuesday morning having barely slept the night before, questioning the nature of life, death and drug-induced reincarnation. Shout-out to the legendary lecturer Andrew Jarvis for that one.”

In 2016 Andy graduated with a First Class Honours Degree from UWS but wasn’t sure of his next step.

“I was thrilled with the result, but I had no clear direction or pathway into the filmmaking industry.

“Then, I came across an ad on Gumtree for a part-time Digital Marketing Assistant position at a start-up called Crunchy Carrots in Falkirk. I applied and got the job. Over the next five years, I honed my skills in videography, social media management, photography, and graphic design. I became central to the company’s growth, eventually becoming a Senior Digital Marketing Executive.

In 2022, an opportunity arose that Andy couldn’t pass: a job at Diabetes Scotland. “As someone living with type 1 diabetes, and with family members also affected by it, becoming the Digital Engagement Officer for this charity was a dream come true. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of telling the stories of people living with this lifelong condition—the setbacks, the struggles, the hope, and above all, the resilience.

“One of my proudest moments was working on the Diabetes Tech Can’t Wait campaign, which advocated for fair and equal access to diabetes technology across Scotland. I travelled around the country creating powerful, emotive content, and I’m proud to have helped communicate just how life-changing this technology is for so many people with type 1 diabetes. Our team’s efforts contributed to a recent announcement of £8.8 million in funding for this tech from the Scottish Government.”

This year, a key focus for Diabetes Scotland is a programme called Together Type 1—a community for everyone aged 11-25 living with type 1 diabetes. It’s a space where people can connect with others who truly understand the challenges of balancing life with diabetes.

“If anyone reading this is living with type 1 diabetes, I strongly encourage them to check it out. The peer support is invaluable, and there are opportunities to meet new friends, learn new skills, and build confidence.“

So, what’s next for Andy?

“While I won’t be picking up any Oscars anytime soon, I am happy to have a career where I can still be creative. The skills I gained at UWS continue to serve me in both my professional and personal life, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.

“The only downside is that I can’t watch films anymore without noticing the metamodern socio-political themes of neoliberalism.”

Find out more about the BA (Hons) Filmmaking and Screenwriting degree at UWS and Charity Diabetes Scotland.