The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Meet Gill Thomson of the children’s play service The Yard in Dundee.
Q Where in the world are you happiest?
A With my family exploring some of our beauty here in Bonnie Scotland.
Q Favourite part of Scotland to explore?
A I love anywhere in Scotland. However, Oban has a special place in my heart.
Q What was your Plan B, in terms of a career?
A I always wanted to work with children and my previous job was retail management, so I guess this is my plan B.
Q Which musicians, alive or dead, inspire you? A James Arthur is an inspiration to me. The lyrics of his songs are very powerful and he faces his demons head-on. He gets knocked down but always gets back up again stronger.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A My phone, I guess, for all the memories that it has on it.
Q How has lockdown affected you?
A It has been a challenge with children with disabilities, working from home, studying. However, I always look for the positive in things and it has been fantastic spending time with my family and not missing out seeing them grow.
Q Theme song for your life?
A Jess Glynne – I’ll Be There.
Q Last meal on earth? A My husband’s homemade lasagne, side salad and homemade rice pudding... Mm!
Q Dream dinner party guests?
A Temple Grandin, who is an American scientist who also has autism. She studies her own autistic mind and shares the knowledge with the world. Oh, and James Arthur playing his guitar would be an added bonus, I guess.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
A Buy a mansion and convert it into a respite holiday destination for families of children with disabilities. A safe, nonjudgmental environment where they can come along and have a holiday specially designed for them.
Q If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do?
A I always say I wouldn’t change my children for the world. However, I would definitely change the world for them. Increase acceptance and wipe out ignorance.
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A I am claustrophobic, or I won the Leng Medal (singing) at primary school.
Q What was the last book you read?
A Daughters of Cornwall – Fern Britton.
Q Describe yourself as if you were a fine wine?
A Sweet, delicious like candy and smelling like a field of butterflies and flowers. A German Riesling.
Q What was the first album you ever bought?
A Adam Ant – Prince Charming.
Q If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
A August 28 1963. Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech.
Q What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
A An elderly lady who I worked with always said “It’s not what you say but how you say it”. I use this all the time.
Q What do you do to unwind?
A Lovely autumn countryside walk with the family and the dog, paddling in the river/ stream then home for hot chocolate and cookies.
Q
A Marrying my soulmate in 2003.
Happiest memory? Q And most embarrassing?
A Getting stuck in the toilet of a luxury coach and screaming until someone helped me out... I did say I was claustrophobic!
Q What are you proudest of?
A Being a mum to my two beautiful boys.
Q What advice would you give to your younger self?
A Live your life. Don’t regret things just learn from them.
Gill Thomson is service development manager at The Yard in Dundee, providing play services for disabled children, young people and their families. Gill lives in Dundee with her husband Michael and sons Liam and Mikenzie. theyardscotland.org.uk