Age has no limits for Val!

June 11 was officially “Age Without Limits Day” – a national campaign established to celebrate ageing and challenge ageist attitudes. 

That meant that local heroes from all around the country who demonstrate the values of the campaign found themselves in the media spotlight… including our very own Val Henderson, who next year marks her 90th birthday.

Many people reading this will already know Val and have benefited from her tireless devotion to others. She retired from a career spent largely in the care sector, latterly as deputy matron of a care home, and then continued caring for others in a series of voluntary roles.

As a stroke volunteer, she began helping stroke-affected people at Frenchay and Cosham Hospitals right back in 2003 at the age of 77. As well as accompanying patients to concerts, she supported those affected by aphasia by working alongside speech therapists to rebuild their communication skills… her work informed by the experience of caring for her own husband who had a stroke in 1997.

She also visited patients in their homes and helped run a therapeutic gardening club at Frenchay hospital for stroke-affected people - and when the hospital closed, she helped transition the group to Bristol After Stroke.

Now, at 89, Val’s energy and commitment remain undimmed: she still leads the Gardening Group at Christ Church, Downend… although these days gardening has taken a back seat to other activities such as quizzes, dominoes and chats. 

In addition, she leads a bereavement group at Christ Church, serves refreshments after church services and offers practical and emotional support within her community.

Her motivation? “I like helping people… and staying active in later life keeps me busy and my mind alert.

And the benefits of volunteering? “Being a volunteer is very beneficial and broadens your outlook on life, says Val, “as well as enabling you to make new friends.”

Thank you, Val!