Retire? I’m only 80! Care worker Mavis still going strong

From a tractor part assembler to forge machine operator and hand presser, Mavis did the circuit of post-war employment, starting aged 14.

Working on up to three jobs, the Darlaston-born woman joined the nationwide efforts to get the country back on her feet.

She also had to help fund her family and their first home – a £2,099 three-bedroom home in Charles Foster Street in Wednesbury. But now, when she could happily pack it in, Mavis says she sees no end to her working life.

She is employed at The Bush care home in Darlaston, where staff put on a surprise party and made her a cake – her first birthday cake in 80 years.

She works 18 hours a week as a carer, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 8am to 2pm.

She said: “When you retire you hit a dead end – I enjoy my work, I enjoy helping other people, it is really lovely.”

Mavis has worked at the care home for 25 years. She started as a cook, making breakfast every morning for the home’s residents.

When a change of ownership came in she was switched to a carer 12 years ago, and has remained in the role ever since.

She said: “I feel great, I don’t see any reason why I should give up.

“The girls here are great and the owner is fantastic for keeping me on despite my age. You take every day as it comes, you don’t know what is round the corner.”

She added: “The best bit about this was my first birthday cake. I’ve never had one before, I guess because not a big deal is usually made over my birthday. It was a lovely surprise.”

On her young looks, Mavis said: “I just wash my face every day with cold water, put moisturiser on every night and I like to keep on my feet.”

Mavis was born in 1937. She attended Salisbury Street School before leaving aged 14, going to work as a hand presser for locksmiths Lowe and Fletcher in Darlaston.

She then worked for nut and bolt manufacturers Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds and then engineering firm Rubery Owen. She met her husband Edward Young, known as Ted, while working at nut and bolt manufacturers Charles Richards.

They married at St Lawrence Church in Darlaston in 1962. After buying their first home, they had two children, Andrew, now aged 55, and April, 49.

Mavis said: “We had a mortgage and a family to look after – I had to work more than one job. The pay was not great, so you’d walk up to a factory and get a job on the day.

"There was work around, the whole of the Black Country was working. It was a great time, but also a hard time, I’d have up to three jobs to keep afloat. The country was all pulling in the same direction.”

After Edward lost his job at British Steel in 1995, Mavis stepped up her work, taking on a new job at Boots in Darlaston as a sales assistant, while also working as a carer for Walsall Council. Edward died from cancer in 2003 – but rather than give up work, Mavis continued.

She said: “It’s nice to have the pocket money to buy what you want.

“I get to go on holidays, keep my car and spend within reason.

“I’m enjoying life, and I hope I’m also helping others at the care home.” Mavis, who now lives in Wiley Avenue, Darlaston, said: “I want to go on as long as I can.”

Colleague Janet Evans said: “She is brilliant. She’s a real inspiration, not just for the residents, but for us.”