Bill Steele

Meet the We'ar Shining The Light reporting team: Bill Steele 

From world traveler to community volunteer - Bill tells us about his life experiences - which has now led him to become an Ageing Well Ambassador and community reporter. 

"In 1961 I began work as an apprentice engineer, making and installing machinery into ships built by Doxford's Pallion shipyard.  

"In 1967 I flew to Athens, to join my first ship and spent thirty years as an engineer officer, swallowing the hook at age 53. 

"Volunteering saved my sanity as I served various functions in the parish and the local charity scene. I also volunteered at Sunderland Royal Hospital chaplaincy and community panel.  

"I spent 27 years in Canada, mainly on the inland sea system, the Great Lakes. They are well named, more than three thousand miles of navigable water and an historical destination for lots of traffic from the Manchester Ship Canal.  

"I spent three years in Spain and was president of the charity, HELP Benidorm.  I returned to UK in 2016 when my partner, Sophie was refused permission to travel back to Spain. I lost her in 2022 and, once again, turned to volunteering to give some meaning to my life.  

"Being a volunteer has given me insight into so many different worlds within my circle and it has allowed me to benefit, hugely, by having the experience, knowledge and understanding to undertake many tasks for myself and others."