Mentors
I was a single parent for 8 years so I can relate my experiences with a lot of the issues our members have out here. Back in the UK I trained to be a Counselor and I worked for 10 years with substance misuse clients who were on probation. Although qualified in Person Centered Counseling I am also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and in motivational techniques to help encourage healthy habits and also addressing life issues. I mentor the mentors if they wish to have support and can offer counselling to our members. Tracey has been living in Spain for 11 years with her husband Tony and 2 children. “For many single parents their lives can be in complete turmoil with many mixed emotions and being in a foreign country, finding the right support can be somewhat difficult. Guardian Angels and mentoring gives the support that many parents need at crucial times. Having had similar family issues, I know only too well that having someone by your side to listen is such a great help.” Gayle acquired a wealth of mentoring experience later in her career and will always be a willing listener who will do all that she can to help our members to source the information and support that they need for their children and themselves. I am fortunate enough to live in Spain for much of the year although returning to England to keep in touch with my children and grandchildren. Before retirement I was a teacher specializing in pastoral care and special needs where I developed programs for young people promoting well-being and stress management. I am learning more about the systems here in Spain as well as studying the wonderful language and embracing the culture. I came to Spain almost 20 years ago and always lived in the Costa Blanca area I moved to Javea from Benissa 7 years ago. I retired from my soft furnishings business, I’ve been married 14 years. I’m known to have a very caring nature and I have plenty of time to help and support any one in need. I have been living in Spain for 26 years. I left the UK for a fresh start in life with my partner Allan and we married in Jávea shortly afterwards. I have two children and five grandchildren who all live in the area and I love spending time with them whenever I can. I began a career as a teacher in my 30’s and have gained a lifetime of experience working with children and their parents through working in college and boarding schools both in the UK and here in Spain. Mostly I have worked alongside teenage children and have found this to be the most rewarding work. I am no stranger to sadness and hardship having nursed and lost my first husband to cancer when my children were young. But I realised no matter what life throws at you, there is still a life to live and a good one at that. I hope my work with Guardian Angels will allow me to help and encourage someone else to overcome their pain and to live their life to the full again.
I am Chief Mentor for Guardian Angels and have lived in Javea for 6 years now. My husband and I between us have 5 children ranging from 13 to 29.
Gayle Pook retired to the Costa Blanca in 2016 with partner Mike. Between them they have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. Gayle wanted to become a mentor for Guardian Angels as she has personal experience of family and friends bringing up children as single parents. While working as a primary school teacher she also had contact with many children from single parent families, and understands the difficulties that can sometimes make everyday seem like a huge challenge, and, that here in Spain help is not always easy to find.
Whatever job you have, being a parent is the most important one you will ever do and sometimes the most difficult.
All parents need a helping hand and single parents sometimes especially so as a mentor for Guardian Angels I aim to offer a listening ear, a pat on the back and the encouragement to move forward with confidence.
