A “one of a kind” great-grandmother has a double reason to celebrate – as this year marks both her 25th anniversary in the NHS and her 80th birthday.
Dedicated Val Heard still “thoroughly enjoys” her secretarial role at Roseberry Park Hospital in Middlesbrough, and retirement is far from her thoughts.
“I’m proud to be part of the NHS. I love knowing that I help and support others through my work, and it keeps my brain active too!” said Val, 79, from Stockton.
“I’ll be 80 in December and yes, I have the usual aches and pains of getting older. But I don’t give in, I just get on with it and keep going. Having a job is the secret to that, I think.”
Working towards NHS career
Val was born in Norton Village just after World War Two, to bus conductor Leonard Durham and his wife Lillian, who worked in the canteen at Robinson’s department store.
After leaving school, Val took on several different jobs – including working in the offices of a shop, in the wages department of an engineering firm and in accounts for a bailiffs’ office.
Years later, when the bailiffs had closed and her family grown up, Val sought career advice from a recruitment agency in Stockton – and landed her first job in the NHS at 55.
“I worked at both St Luke’s Hospital in Middlesbrough and Ideal House in Thornaby, with the community mental health team, in my early roles for the Trust,” said Val.
“I was part of the crisis team at the time. It was a tough job, but we helped a lot of people. It was good to feel as if the work you were doing was making a difference.”
Taking on new career challenges
Val loved her job but, when the chance arose to take on a new challenge, she moved to North Tees Hospital to work in a pioneering mental health set up within primary care.
The work helped hone her secretarial skills and, for a time, Val also worked as a PA to the general manager of what was then Tees and North East Yorkshire Trust.
“After that I moved from North Tees to Clifton House with my team, then joined the research and development department as an administrator. I really loved that job as well,” she said.
“Initially we were based at the TAD centre in Middlesbrough, before moving to Flatts Lane. I stayed for 11 years, because I found it fascinating. I love research, and it was so interesting.
“I used to help organise our own studies and take notes. The people were great, and you just knew that what you were involved with was something that would help support others.”
Retirement put on hold
Val decided it was “time to go” when she reached 74 – but her retirement plans were put on hold after she was head-hunted for a temporary role with the mental health services inpatient team.
The “temporary” job has now stretched to six years, and she also provides secretarial support to consultant psychologist Dr Gemma Murphy – who greatly appreciates her help.
“It is normal for me to work. I never think of retiring. I love my job, the people I work with and just coming in to work. Just because I’m nearly 80, it makes no difference,” said Val.
Val supports her team – which operates two in-patient wards – with writing up reports, reception work, contacting patients and working with carers and families.
And, in addition to her Trust role, she also works as a Christmas stylist for a perfume boutique in York each festive season – using her people skills to help shoppers.
“I’m a people person and just love chatting and being able to help people,” she said. “I’d much rather be working, than sitting at home. I love keeping busy.”
Living life to the full
When not working, Val enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and two-year great-grandson – and the family is planning a special 80th birthday celebration for her.
“The only time I really feel my age is when I’m trying to keep up with the two-year-old!” she said. “Other than that, I don’t really think about my age much at all.
“I think I’m probably one of the oldest people still working in the Trust but, just because I’m nearly 80, it makes no difference.
“If you enjoy your job, and still make a difference, why stop doing it? I love what I do, and I plan to keep doing it for as long as I can.”
Val is “one of a kind” colleague
Val’s dedication and loyalty to her work has been praised by Dr Gemma Murphy, who is keen to highlight Val’s long years of valuable service to the Trust.
“It is a pleasure working with Val. She is one of a kind!” said Gemma. “She is hard working, dependable, and reliable and is very kind, caring and patient with me.
“Val is excellent at deciphering the illegibility of my writing, and I truly depend on Val’s support and involvement. There is no-one like Val.”
