‘Inspirational’ NHS worker comes out of retirement to go ‘full circle’ at new job in schools
A Yorkshire-born NHS worker who has devoted her life to caring for young people has said she has ‘still got lots to give’, as she starts a new role just weeks after retiring.
Gillian Gentle has worked with children for her whole career, supporting young carers and children struggling with their mental health.
The 61-year-old, who is from Harrogate, retired from her role in the NHS earlier this year but, after several weeks of travelling, she has returned to the organisation to run groups helping schoolchildren and their parents deal with stress and anxiety.
The mother-of-two has also provided respite foster care to several young people, as a way “to do just that bit more”.
“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.”
Her return to the NHS represents a ‘full circle’ moment for Gillian.
She worked in schools at the start of her NHS career as a primary mental health worker with the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, a career she was inspired to start by her father Mike, who worked at a local youth club.
In her teens, she organised adventure activities and residential trips for young people with disabilities, and, at 16, she went to the European Parliament to help create policies on behalf of North Yorkshire’s young people.
After studying youth work at university, Gillian worked at the organisation Carers' Resource, setting up a support network for young carers, in an effort ‘to raise awareness’ of a group which often goes ‘unseen’.
Gillian then worked her way through the ranks at the NHS, eventually managing a multidisciplinary team. She retired after 18 years at Harrogate’s child and adolescent mental health services, after which she “indulged in her passion for travel”.
Several months later, she has now started a new role, as a ‘Wellbeing in Mind’ practitioner, running groups for young people across schools in North Yorkshire.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she also opened her home to a Ukrainian mother and daughter, which she described as “an amazing experience for us all”.
When asked about her career, Gillian said: “Caring for others has been such an amazing and rewarding part of my life. I can't imagine ever giving it up.
“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.”