About Gillian:
Gillian is a professional access consultant, public-speaker, trainer and adviser on accessible tourism as well as an inspirational charity founder, fundraiser and published tourism author with an unrivalled insight into all aspects of disability gained as a highly experienced and compassionate medical professional with over 25 years experience. This includes experience on the Sheffield Spinal Injuries Unit together with 10 years working as a District Nursing Sister in the Peak District.
Gillian is also a successful, award-winning fundraiser, having led an appeal to build several accessible playgrounds at Ashgate Croft School in Chesterfield and acting as an Ambassador for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, raising in excess of £250,000 for these two causes.
Her achievements for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice earned her the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2013.
About Gillian:
Back in 2007 Gillian also created ‘The Golden Miles’ walk through 20 Peak District villages: a route which has been
officially ‘Way-Marked’ by the Peak District National Park Authority and which is used as a fundraising tool for many
good causes in the area.
‘The Golden Miles’ book, written by Gillian to accompany the walk is enjoyed by visitors to the area and residents alike and this in itself continues to raise valuable funds.
In addition, Gillian is a leading disability campaigner and authority on accessible tourism and accessible home-building.
She has been a guest speaker at the Home Building and Renovating Show following the ‘self-build’ of the family’s beautiful, accessible home.
It is this expertise, together with 26 years’ first-hand experience of being a parent and carer with 3 sons, 2 of whom are disabled, that gives Gillian an unrivalled insight into overcoming barriers with innovative solutions, enabling access for all.

Qualifications:

  • Centre for Accessible Environments Access Auditor
  • District Nurse (D.N)
  • Registered General Nurse (R.G.N)
  • Orthopaedic Nursing Certificate (O.N.C)

Career History:

  • Director of Accessible UK June 2022 – Present
  • Member of the England Inclusive Tourism Action Group 2015 – present
  • Conference speaker at the first-ever Changing Places National Conference in 2015
  • Director of ‘Access For All UK’ 2014 – August 2022
  • Guest lecturer on accessible tourism at Sheffield Hallam University: 2014 – present
  • Key-note speaker on Changing Places toilets at the ‘Loo of the Year’ awards 2014
  • Co-Founder of registered charity ‘Accessible Derbyshire’ (no: 1155675) 2013- present
  • Member of the Derbyshire County Council Changing Places Working Group 2013 – present
  • Winner of Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2013
  • Published tourism author 2011 – present
  • Founder of the Accessible Derbyshire Accessible Tourism website 2010
  • Creator of the ‘Golden Miles’ walk officially way-marked by the Peak National Park 2007
  • Key-note conference speaker on accessible home building 2004
  • Ambassador for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice 2003 – present
  • Accessible Tourism Advisor 2003 – present
  • Fundraiser: leading an appeal (The ‘Thomas Playground Appeal’) which raised over £100,000 in just 6 months for 3 accessible playgrounds.
  • Red Cross Volunteer: taking disabled children on holidays of a lifetime.
  • District Nursing Sister – Baslow surgery, Derbyshire
  • Registered General Nurse – Dronfield
  • General Medicine – Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield.
  • General Medicine – Lodge Moor Hospital, Sheffield.
  • Orthopaedic Nursing Placement – Sheffield Spinal Injuries Unit

Personal Training and Development undertaken includes:

  • Access Auditor Training (Centre for Accessible Environments)
  • Fundraising Skills Training
  • District Nursing Sister Training
  • Midwifery Training
  • Registered General Nurse Training (RGN) – Sheffield