Val to celebrate 31 years working at New Mills care home

A care home in New Mills will be celebrating in style to mark a team member's remarkable 31 years of service. 

Valerie Mills started working at Watford House on 15 May 1990 as a Care Assistant working nights. 

Back then, there were only 12 residents and Val worked on a Friday night when her husband Malcolm returned home to watch their three children.

Over the years, Val has seen the Watford Road home grow and she can remember the extension being built onto the original house in the 1980s, as well as the home expanding to care for up to 40 residents.

When asked what attracted her to the job in the first place, the 66-year-old commented: "Having always lived in New Mills it was close to home, so it suited me while my children were growing up.

"As they became more independent, I increased my hours and developed my role from a Care Assistant to a Senior Carer and gained my level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care and I am now a Team Leader." 

Val has always lived in New Mills and has an extensive family still in the area, including her three children and five grandsons!

She reached retirement age herself in December 2020 but decided that she will continue to work at Watford House. 

"It has always been a nice place to work with great staff and interesting residents," she said. 

"It’s a part of my life and I would miss it terribly if I were to retire." 

Carinna Mycock, Home Manager, said: "Val is such an integral part of the team at Watford House and is well loved by all the residents, their families and her colleagues. To achieve 31 years of service is such an achievement and I am so delighted that we can throw her a party to mark this amazing milestone." 

The celebrations will take place on Friday 14 May. 

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