A lifelong champion for children and young people has come full circle in her inspirational career – retiring from our Trust only to return weeks later in a new role.
Gillian Gentle, 61, has spent decades working with young people through youth work, fostering, community support and leadership posts in mental health services.
Now she is taking on a fresh challenge as a Wellbeing in Mind practitioner – helping North Yorkshire school pupils manage low mood, anxiety and exam stress.
“I’ve worked with children and young people all my life. It’s always been about supporting them, and making sure their voices are heard,” said Gill.
Following in family footsteps
Harrogate-born Gill developed a passion for helping others at the age of just 12, after being inspired by her dad Mike – who was heavily involved in local youth work.
She devoted her teens to creating positive change – including opening up adventure activities and residential trips to young people with disabilities for the first time.
And, at just 16, she also represented the young people of North Yorkshire on the European Parliament, co-creating policies at a youth convention in Strasbourg.
“I was chatty, rather than political, but I had my views on what I thought was important and could communicate with young people as well as adults,” said Gill.
Caring close to Gill’s heart
Such was Gill’s dedication to youth work that she studied the subject at university, joining the Carers’ Resource organisation in Harrogate after graduating in 1999.
Her time with the group included building the Young Carers Project from scratch – creating a multi-staffed support network for youngsters with caring responsibilities.
“Young carers play a key role but are often unseen in society. I championed them and delivered training in schools and youth services to raise awareness,” she said.
Supporting others through NHS career
Gill’s career in the NHS began in 2008, when she secured a primary mental health worker post with child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Further studies through the NHS, including a degree and two post-graduate diplomas, eventually paved the way to a senior leadership position in our trust.
However, despite managing a multidisciplinary team, Gill never lost sight of the individual needs of young people – ensuring their support and care remained a top priority.
“When you care for others, it makes you feel cared for in return. It’s been such an amazing and rewarding part of my life. I can’t imagine ever giving it up,” she said.
Opening home and heart to others
Gill has not only juggled being a mum-of-two with a busy career – but has also provided respite foster care to several young people over the years as well.
“While working in CAMHS, and having my own children, I started to feel that I wanted to do just a bit more. I wanted to support other young people,” she said.
Gill worked with her husband Adrian and children to offer short-term stays and respite care – with her two sons playing a key role in supporting those who stayed with them.
“It helped my children communicate with people with complex needs and they, in turn, helped by demonstrating different ways of communicating to them,” said Gill.
“We keep in touch with several of the people we supported over the years. One asked us to give her away at her Hindu wedding in Mauritius, which was lovely.”
Gill also opened her home to a Ukrainian mother and daughter fleeing the war, offering them sanctuary, warmth, and community when they needed it most.
“I saw on Facebook that they needed somewhere safe to stay, so I reached out and they were with us for a year. It was an amazing experience for us all,” she said.
Looking to the future
Gill finally retired from CAMHS Harrogate this year after 18 years – but not before she had overseen the move of her team from their old base at Dragon Parade into the new Hummingbird House facility.
She then indulged her passion for travel for several weeks, before returning to the NHS and her new job as a whole school approach practitioner with Wellbeing in Mind.
“My career has kind of gone full circle, as I’ll be back working in schools again – which is what I did when I first started working in CAMHS,” she said.
“ My new job involves running groups for young people to help manage stress and anxiety – and to support parents in supporting their children by building resilience.
“I’m excited for the role. I’ve still got lots to give, and that gives me purpose in life. You have got to get out there and keep on caring, that’s my motto.”
