Vicki Gilbert Email & Phone Number

I set up and have run my own teaching business 18 years ago, communicating in sign language (BSL) with children who are deaf, hearing & have other specific communication needs. As well as working with parents/carers & their children we work in nurseries, preschools and schools. Not only with the children but training educational professionals how to use our pedagogical approach. I jointly won a European Language Award in 2012 for the international work, a Yorkshire Women of Achievement Award in 2011 and The Kate Grainger Award for outstanding Contribution in 2019. For 7 years I worked full & then part-time as a lecturer & researcher in PE at Leeds Beckett University. Specialising in SEND and inclusive practice. I helped recruit and supervise students to become Secondary Physical Education Teachers for several years.My two special areas of interest in research are firstly the effect of physical activity for those living with and beyond cancer. I am trained in Exercise and Physical Activity in Cancer Rehabilitation and have worked as a volunteer running exercise sessions at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and latterly in Community Fitness Settings for over 2 years.The second is exploring Inclusion Issues in PE, specifically how we enable pupils with special educational needs and disabilities to participate in PE and how to equip our ITT trainees to do so.I helped run Coeliac UK's Voluntary Support Group for Leeds for 12 years. Raising awareness of this autoimmune disease that myself and 2 of my children have. Including The Annual Leeds Gluten Free Food Fair & various other events. In reaction to devastation caused by the Boxing Day floods I helped set up & develop a charity to help residents & businesses get back on their feet. Then further development work in helping individuals and communities better prepare for potential future flooding - funded through local authorities & Leeds Community Foundation. Lots of fundraising over many years - Martin House Children’s Hospice, Motor Neurone Disease, Children with Cancer, Aspire (Spinal injuries charity) raising over £16000 after I successfully swam across the English Channel in a relay team of 6 in Summer 2018 then again in 2021 in a Team of 3. The second time raising money to purchase PE equipment for a school in Malawi. I have an above knee amputation stemming from a cancer misdiagnosis and help many others in this position with emotional and practical support. I finished gruelling treatment for aggressive breast cancer in 2016/17 & I have rebuilt my life and career slowly but surely.

Listed skills include Coaching, Public Speaking, Small Business, Event Management, and 13 others.