Gemma Steele

Gemma is a social entrepreneur who grew up on South Uist, and returned to live on Uist when she was 24.  She is a qualified Occupational Therapist with a passion for addiction recovery in both the UK and East Africa.  In 2014 she was awarded the Young Scot of the Year Unsung Hero award for setting up and managing St Jerome’s Orphanage in Kenya.  On a recent visit she gave a keynote speech to the Association for Charitable Children Institutions of Kenya (A.C.C.I.K) on child protection.  In Uist, Gemma manages the befriending service Caraidean Uist, which is a part of the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership for the Western Isles.  Gemma speaks fluent Gàidhlig, English and Swahili, and is a passionate supporter of Uist culture. Gemma’s work has featured in a number of documentaries, films and articles over the years. Here is a selection: