Interview with Director Kate Gearing
In this interview, we meet Kate Gearing, a dedicated member of the GALE Board for three years. With her diverse background, including her upbringing in Hong Kong and a successful career as a GP, Kate is well-equipped to contribute to GALE’s mission. Her journey to the GALE Centre was inspired by her daughter, Nessie, who spoke highly of her work there, prompting Kate to volunteer and eventually join the Board.
As a listener, Kate values understanding the community’s needs and aims to leverage her medical expertise to enhance GALE’s volunteer programs, particularly in supporting hospital discharge and medical appointments. She emphasises the symbiotic relationship between staff and volunteers, stating, “Volunteering supports GALE’s successful working but it’s also good for the volunteers.”
Looking ahead, Kate is excited about upcoming pilot projects at the Shieling, especially the Baking Group for under 16s, which she believes will provide valuable skills. She also shares her positive experiences with the Unwrapped Shop, where she enjoys buying ingredients for her simple yet delicious baking creations.
Kate, you have been a member of the GALE board for around 3 years now. For those who may not have had the opportunity to get to know you, can you share a bit about your personal and professional journey leading up to your role on the GALE Board, and what motivated you to get involved with this organisation?
I was born and brought up in Hong Kong until the age of eleven, when my parents and I returned to England. I studied medicine at Trinity College, Dublin before taking up GP training in Fort William. My husband lived on Skye so when my training finished I moved to Skye where I worked part time and had three children. In the early 90’s we moved to Cornwall and we had our fourth child, Nessie – who people may know from her time working at the GALE Centre. I became a GP Partner and then in 2012 I took early retirement and we relocated to Aultbea. After a month I got bored! So it was back to being a locum GP; during which time I worked at practices in Applecross, Torridon, Aultbea and Gairloch before coming full circle to the practice on Skye where it all began!
I began to know more about GALE thanks to Nessie. She talked so much about how she loved the place and her job. That’s what first got me interested in volunteering at GALE and after a while I was invited to be part of the Board. Of course, I accepted! My parents had always been involved in charitable work in Hong Kong and had encouraged me to do the same and so over the years I have been a Parent Governor at primary and secondary schools and on various village hall committees and so it felt like the most natural thing for me to get involved in a community organisation once more.
What role do you see yourself playing on the GALE Board, and how do you hope to shape the future of the organisation based on your background?
I have not held a specific role on the Board. I’m a listener – this is what brought me to volunteer as a befriender with GALE. Being a good listener was important during my career and it’s a skill I try to make use of for the benefit of GALE. I welcome hearing people’s ideas and aspirations for our area. In the near future, my medical background should be of use to our Volunteer Programme Co-ordinator as we roll out hospital discharge and medical appointment support as part of the Befriending service.
Can you discuss the role of volunteers in GALE’s operations and how they contribute to project success?
Volunteering supports GALE’s successful working but it’s also good for the volunteers. For some it gives a sense of purpose, for others it’s about friendship and being part of a community. GALE is a volunteer led organisation, the staff support volunteers, just as the volunteers support staff. One cannot exist without the other. You could call it a symbiotic relationship, each part is as important as the other.
What strategies does GALE use to recruit and retain volunteers, and how do you recognise their contributions to the organisation?
I know the Volunteer Co-ordinator is always on the lookout for more volunteers – some people do a lot, some do a little and we are grateful for all contributions. Quite often, people come forward after they have been users of some GALE service. It’s that ‘paying it back’ thing which draws people to volunteering. GALE has an accredited volunteer programme and we are well looked after and we get treated to the occasional meal together. These social events are a great opportunity to meet other volunteers as we don’t necessarily cross over during our volunteering. Often the staff will come as well and that’s important too. It’s the chance to chat and hear what’s going on.
GALE has two years to run pilot projects at the Shieling, which of these are you most looking forward to seeing getting up and running?
Well, there’s the Baking Group which we are starting up which will initially focus on a younger age group; the under 16s. Sorry, I’m a baker so I may be a bit biased here but I think it’s a wonderful idea and should be a great way for that generation to learn some new skills so that they can enjoy baking and all that it brings. The Community Pub, in time, should bring year round evening space for people to gather and I think that sense of community is important too.
Have you used the Unwrapped Shop yet? What did you buy and more importantly what did you make and will you share the recipe?
I have used the refillery and it has been good to see the range of products being expanded in its first few months of operation. I have bought the peanut butter, some nuts, the seed mix, muesli and the porridge oats. Oh, and some of the dried fruits too! I used a lot of that to make a low fat, low sugar recipe, which I made up and which consisted of mashed banana, peanut butter, oats, dried fruits and chocolate chips. The mix made some really tasty biscuits. I’d say that my baking is very simple but hopefully is also tasty.
What’s your go-to comfort food after a day of volunteering at the GALE Centre or the Shieling?
It’s probably my Hong Kong background but I would hop along to the Hai Yang for a takeaway on my way home. Their Deep Fried Shredded Beef in Chiu Chow Sauce is very good!