Interview with Sue Northrop, Yvonne Coull award winner

Sue has recently won the Generations Working Together Coordinator Award. Read the interview to find out how she set up the East Lothian network and things she has learned along the way.

Kate – “First of all, congratulations on winning the award. What was your reaction?”

Sue – “Thanks Kate, I was totally taken aback. I wasn’t expecting it – I met Yvonne and very aware of the great job she did. I’m just a widget, helping people who are passionate about bringing different ages and generations together do the things that inspire them.”

Kate –“Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, what did you do before volunteering for GWT?”

Sue – “I run Dementia Friendly East Lothian, a social enterprise aimed at transforming the lives of people who live with dementia – people with dementia, care-partners, families, and friends, so people feel connected, valued and respected citizens and members if their communities. Friendships, bringing all ages together is at the heart of this, so GWT link has been a really great way for me to deepen that areas of work.

I’ve done many jobs over the years and lots of volunteering, but most of my life for the last 20 years has been caring for family members with dementia and other conditions. DFEL grew out of that experience and the promise I made to my Mum and Dad that I’d help them ‘to live and not just exist.”
I’m a chartered psychologist, and I use community psychology in my work. I also have a Masters in Dementia Studies and I’ve qualified as Yoga Teacher and trainee Yoga Therapist. It all fits together beautifully. One of my most joyful afternoons involved doing Dementia Friendly Intergenerational Yoga with primary pupils, people from EskGreen Care Home and our Dementia Friendship Group. That was in Musselburgh Library.”

Kate – “How did you find out about Generations Working Together? Have you been involved in any coordinating or volunteering before?”

Sue –“I found GWT very early on after starting DFEL as I want to make dementia about everyone. As a child, I saw my parents supporting their parents and I tried to support them in my own way, and I worried. I want children and young people to be more visible and included in talking about dementia as family members and carers, but also because there’s things they can do early on to promote their cognitive and social health over a lifetime.

I don’t really think of myself as volunteering, if I can make a difference, I’ll try and do it. Often you can do more when you’re unpaid than when you’re paid. So lots over many years. Currently, I’m on North Berwick Community Council, Chair the Carers Scotland Committee and am on the Community Psychology Committee of the British Psychological Society.”

Kate – “Are you from the East Lothian, if not how long have you been based in the area?”

Sue – “I’m a nomad! I come from a family where we usually are born and die in different countries and have lived in many places across the UK, but most of my life in Scotland. We came to East Lothian 11 years ago. East Lothian is a great place to live and work in and is full of people who want to make the world a better place and who get on and do it!”

Kate – ‘‘Your nomination says that you have been part of local meetings and have worked closely with others to promote the intergenerational practice. Can you tell us how this happened and what the network was like when you joined at first?”

Sue – “There was no Network in EL when I started, I wanted to set one up. At that time, there was a local GWT coordinator – Cheryl Ewing. She really helped us get started and came and did training. I just put the word out through networks, told people about GWT, identified rooms and projects and did whatever needed to be done, including biscuits! Over the last 6 years, numbers have grown and there are great projects across the county. GWT and the Network provide a great way to raise awareness, share practice and encourage people to try things out.

Through the network and DFEL I collaborate with a wide range of groups on projects. In some cases we have set up collaborative projects, in others I have helped projects include people with dementia in their work. I’ve also provided training on dementia and IG working, thanks to great training from GWT. Loreen Pardoe, from Support from the Start, has been a great support and has taken on more and more of a coordinator role over recent years. Loreen is passionate about IG working and it’s great that by working together we embody bringing generations together.”

Kate – ‘‘How often does your GWT network meet up?’’

Sue – “We’re a joint East and Midlothian network and meet 3/4 times a year. But we’re also planning some meetings specifically focused on East Lothian as there are many big opportunities to do significant IG working here. For example, there are plans to make major changes to health and social care services in East Lothian, and we want IG thinking and projects to be at the heart of thinking and action from the beginning from planning decisions to services and community empowerment”

Kate – ‘‘What has been a highlight for you in the network?”

Sue – “Just seeing so many people with great passion, energy, and ideas getting on and doing things that make a difference. GWT and the Networks are a resource and catalyst for people who want to change the world. The network has grown bit by bit.”

Kate -’‘ What are the network’s plans for the future?”

Sue – “See above re plans to grow the EL bit round major policy changes so we build IG thinking in early. We’ve talked about having an EL event to grow network capacity and focus on developing local conversations. Dunbar network in September will take a specific focus on place and how different groups and projects are supporting each other”.

Many thanks to Sue for answering our questions and once again congratulations on winning the award. The interview was produced by Kate Samuels (Communications & Policy Assistant). If you would like to take part in an interview about intergenerational work or projects or have a story to share please email her directly.