Val retires at the age of 78 - but has no plans to rest

A healthcare assistant who first retired more than a decade ago is finally hanging up her uniform at the age of 78.

Great-grandmother Val Stockwell initially joined the team at the William Harvey Hospital as a volunteer, and then worked on wards across the hospital, before moving to outpatients.

She has supported patients through their appointments for a quarter of a century, and said she has enjoyed every single day.

She said: “This place is part of my life and to tell the truth I don’t really want to retire, but I’m moving to be nearer my daughter.

“I absolutely love my job and everyone I work with. I feel so lucky to be able to work here, I always feel appreciated and it is like a family.

“We have a lot of fun together, with laughter and some tears. I can’t wait to get to work in the mornings and I’ll often be waiting by the door until it’s time to leave.”

Val initially started her nursing training before she met her husband but then gave it up and worked with him renovating houses. Her career also included running a pub, the now-closed Crown and Anchor in Willesborough, Ashford, and she still lives in the town.

She decided to return to healthcare so she could help people, and over the years she has seen many changes, including clinic moves as the hospital has adapted. One of the areas that was part of the outpatients department is now used for the urgent treatment centre.

Val works with a range of consultants and clinicians, helping to care for patients with issues from cancer to rheumatoid arthritis.

Val said: “I get to know some of the patients really well, particularly in the breast clinics, and they often stop me in the street to say hello and to introduce me to their family as the person who looked after them.

“I try to do all I can to make them feel comfortable, so for people who are coming in for bone marrow procedures I will offer them a head massage and chat to them to keep their mind off what is happening.

“I like to treat people like I would treat my mum, and sometimes I’ll give them a hug if they’ve had bad news. Other times I’ll see if I can make them smile – hospitals can be sad places so if it’s appropriate I try to bring a bit of fun.”

Val plans to spend more time with her family and settling into her new home, but then has more ideas to keep herself busy. She previously trained as a counsellor so is considering returning to that, or volunteering at the nearest hospital, and relearning how to play guitar and piano.

She said: “I always said I’d work until I was 80 so I am very sad to be going now but there is a little hospital 10 minutes from my bungalow so I’ll pop up and see if they need me.

“I will definitely miss it, the patients and my colleagues, and I still have plenty to give so I hope I can find a way to be useful. 

Victoria Major, junior sister in outpatients, said: “Val is such a valued and well-loved member of the team and we will miss her smile and cheekiness.

“She has been popular with colleagues and patients alike, and has been a support to everyone.

“From offering patients a hand to hold or her famous head massages, she has been a ray of sunshine in the department, always going above and beyond to make her patients’ experience as positive as possible.

“We wish Val all the very best in her retirement, she has certainly earned it!”