About Gill Spoor
Hello – My name is Gill Spoor and I joined the Elders Council as Membership Secretary and Administrator in December 2022
I come from a background in voluntary and community sector work with roles at Citizens Advice (pensions), Age UK (information and advice), Mental Health Concern (community link worker), NHS Social Prescribing (working across 5 surgeries in North Gosforth PCN) and Independent Age (services administrator for Tyne and Wear and Teesside).
Prior to all of those roles I worked on river, sea and ocean cruise ships as Passenger Services Manager and Cruise Director, specialising in the Baltic, Black Sea, Russia and Ukraine. (I graduated with a degree in Russian, German and Bulgarian so my language knowledge was really useful in my roles on ships).
Having worked for large national charities, I wanted to find a role with a local charity where we shared common values and causes and where I could see real local impact. I passionately believe that as we grow older, we still have voices to be heard, valuable contributions to make in society and that we can be a force for change in society that benefits us now and in the future.
As I grow older, I aim to be seen as well as heard, to enjoy a dignified life with purpose and meaning, to thrive and not just survive. And I believe the Elders Council can help achieve this in making Newcastle a great place in which to grow old.
In my free time, I enjoy all manner of craft projects, creative writing, dabbling in water colour painting and relaxing with a good crime novel.
I’m really looking forward to meeting you, hopefully face to face but also online as I settle in to my fabulous new role at the Elders Council.