Welcome to The Glendale Gateway Trust

The Glendale Gateway Trust is a charitable community development trust based in the small rural town of Wooler in North Northumberland. Based at the Cheviot Centre, the trust was set up to support the community of Glendale – one of the most sparsely populated areas of the country.

The GGT operate a community and business centre in Wooler, and also own a number of commercial units on the High Street, 20 affordable housing properties and Wooler Youth Hostel and Shepherds Huts.
​
Our mission is to benefit the community, economy, environment and heritage of Glendale through providing and/or promoting:

• A multi-purpose community hub
• Business development and work opportunities
• More affordable housing
• The tourist offer in the area
• A wide range of public services in the area
• The re-use of old buildings and the vitality of key centres
• Co-operation with public, private and voluntary sector organisations
• Support to community initiatives in Glendale

Wooler & Glendale Food Bank
​

   

---

A FREE confidential service for anyone living in Wooler & Glendale.
Contact us at the Cheviot Centre to arrange collection or delivery.
​

Call us to request a food parcel

Message Us to request a food parcel

Locality Virtual Visit

Meet Our Team

Our team members bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the Glendale Gateway Trust. You will always receive a warm welcome if you pop into our friendly office at the Cheviot Centre. The team works alongside a board of trustees, led by Becci Murray.

BECCI MURRAY

Chair of the Board of Trustees

My husband and I moved to Wooler over 30 years ago and we raised our 2 children here. We lived across the border for a short time but always knew we would return to Wooler, a place and community we view as home. I have worked in the charitable sector for 20 years, predominantly covering the geographical area from Amble up to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The focus for the work I have been involved in has been improving the opportunities for residents of the rural and town communities. My projects have mainly supported employment, tackling poverty, adult training and education, addictions and peer support. I have a strong background in partnership working and bringing networks together and I am currently employed as the Operations Director at Berwick Community Trust. I am delighted to be part of the Glendale Gateway Trust as a Trustee, currently as Chair of the Board.

KAREN FROGGATT

Chief Executive Officer

I joined the Glendale Gateway Trust as the CEO in November 2021. I arrived just before Storm Arwen so my first few weeks in the role were very interesting to say the least. 
I started my working life in the financial sector with management roles at the Halifax and Yorkshire Banks.
I have worked in the VCSE sector for over 20 years in senior leadership and executive roles. I previously held senior positions at the Racial Equality Council, RNIB, Victim Support and was most recently the CEO of a sight loss charity based in York.
I have a strong background in community engagement and working in partnership across multiple sectors.
I lived in Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales for over 20 years so I understand the challenges that rural communities face.
Glendale has a friendly community and we soon began to feel very much at home here. I currently live on the Ford and Etal estate with my husband and our small dog Jake. We have 3 grown up children and 4 grandchildren who all love to come and visit us here as often as they can.

RACHEL SINTON

Administrator & Cheviot Centre Manager

I have lived in Wooler for almost 40 years. In that time, I managed the Youth Hostel for 12 years and the Tourist Information Centre for several years. 
Since 2005, I have worked for the Glendale Gateway Trust as Administrator and Cheviot Centre Manager. I am incredibly proud of the very positive role that the organisation has played in Glendale since it's start in 1996.
Before moving to Wooler, I lived in Hertfordshire, Manchester and Eastbourne. In earlier life, I studied and worked in an assortment of jobs, from customer services to social work. I also spent a year travelling across Africa.
Now working part-time as I wind down to retirement, I like nothing better than walking the footpaths and beaches of Northumberland and the Scottish Borders, with my camera in hand. I feel very lucky to live in such a lovely place. 

SUE MITCHELL

Accounts Officer

I joined the Glendale Gateway Trust in August 2021 and took over the accounts when my predecessor retired in September 2022. 
I have worked in finance since leaving school. 
I have previously lived in Dorset, Germany and the Isle of Man, before settling in Wooler in April 2021.

SIMON CROSTHWAITE

Property Officer

I joined the team as Property Officer in June, having spent the previous 12 years working for Northumberland County Council. I was a Housing Officer based in Alnwick and covered all the small towns in the old Alnwick district. 
I have extensive knowledge of issues affecting rural communities, as well as a sound knowledge of housing law and the policies and procedures that accompany it. 
I started my working life in the Royal Navy, where I spent 8 years working on both ships and submarines. After this, I started a new chapter in the Police service where I worked in both London and the Newcastle area.
I am married to Carole and we have lived in Wooler for 17 years, along with our 2 dogs, Dennis and Jackson.

GILLIAN LOWES

Communications & Projects Officer

I am fairly new to the team, having joined at the end of May 2023. Prior to working at the Glendale Gateway Trust, I worked for almost 30 years in the travel and tourism industry. From a holiday rep to a cruise ship manager, I travelled the world and sailed the seven seas ensuring holidaymakers were happy and well looked after. 
Since returning to my roots in Wooler, I continued to work in tourism until 2019 when 
my little boy, Toby, was born and I became a full time Mummy.
Ready for a new work challenge, I was delighted to be offered the post of Communications and Projects Officer and am so far thoroughly enjoying the role. I especially love being able to play a part in helping the local community and seeing my hometown continue to thrive. 

SHAUNA GOULBOURNE

Cheviot Centre Caretaker

I moved from Newcastle to Wooler and have lived here for most of my life.
I have spent many years working in local hospitality roles and started working for the Glendale Gateway Trust when it opened it's doors in 2000.
I am a big nature lover and very fond of animals. I have a lovely daft cat called Darcy!

LESLEY ROBSON

Rural Advocacy & Inclusion Officer
​
I joined the team in September and am getting settled in my new role. I spent the previous 8 years working in the charity sector at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Prior to this, I had a long career in the Middle East working at government level on foreign policy with extensive experience in relationship building, diplomacy and advocacy in the field of international relations.
Having travelled all over the world as part of this role, I decided to return home to Northumberland. I joined the RNLI, first as a volunteer lifeboat crew, then as Community Manager working in volunteer management and community engagement across the north east.
I am now settled in North Northumberland and am passionate about our beautiful county, so I am delighted to be advocating for local rural issues.
I enjoy outdoor pursuits, especially hill walking in the Cheviots.

​

---