*Gill is a finalist in the 2011 IWCYC Challenge - click here to read more*

Gill Walker (Chief Executive of Patchwork People) is a highly motivated, energetic individual with a breadth of experience in education and support for children, young people and families to ensure they get the best out of life. Her experience includes 20 years teaching in Middlesbrough and Darlington schools. She then became a Deputy Headteacher for 3 years and spent 6 years as a Headteacher in Darlington..  Throughout this period Gill worked in communities identified as areas of disadvantage and developed a successful track record of effective school improvement.  This experience was enhanced with work in both Newcastle and Darlington local authorities with responsibility around school improvement with significant results being achieved. Having said all of this Gill left school at 16 with very few qualifications!

Over the last three years Gill developed and led an integrated team (with health colleagues) in Darlington to improve early intervention and prevention services and improve outcomes for children young people and families. She successfully introduced and developed the use of the common assessment framework which looks at a holistic assessment of children, young people and families need and developed locality profiles which ensure effective targeting of resource to ensure that local service meets local need. Gill has a real passion for making a difference and has worked relentlessly in a number of public sector roles to effect improvement, she has established very good partnerships in the regions with many individuals and organisations who share this passion. The establishment of Patchwork People offers Gill a new opportunity to continue to effect change for children, young people and families.

Gill is always ready for a new challenge - she was encased in a full body plaster cast for the purpose of art - as one of the Baltic exhibits. She started running at age 48 and has completed 6 Great North Runs since then ( raising over £2000 for local charities). Gill took part in her  first Triathlon last year and completed a 350 mile cycle tour of France over three weeks - complete with camping equipment and a goose down duvet!

Patchwork People Community Interest Company is now creating a young people's shop with a difference -  the shop will be run by young people for young people and will enable their participation in the full cycle of genuine entrepreneurial retail business development