St Rognvald House manager retires – but pledges to return to volunteer at the care home!

St Rognvald House Manager, Shirley Miller may have retired following 30 years dedicated service at the care home - but she has pledged to be a regular visitor as a volunteer!

She said: “The thing I will miss most is the camaraderie with the staff group, all the laughs and of course the residents. One dear lady of 101 told me the other day that she will miss me, makes it all worthwhile really. I have promised her that I will visit her.

“My plan has always been to retire once I reached state pension age, which happens next Friday, and hopefully still young and fit enough to enjoy the next chapter in my life.

“I don’t have any fixed retirement plans, my main aim is to enjoy the summer weather instead of behind a desk and spend time trying new hobbies and of course family. I have already threatened the staff that I will be coming back regularly as a volunteer!

“As someone once said – ‘Retirement is not the end of the road, it is the beginning of the open highway!’.”

Shirley has worked in care for 30 years, starting at St Rognvalds on 15 June 1992 and says she has been smiling ever since.

On her first day she was a relief domestic, and on her second day a relief carer. By the end of the second day, she knew this was the career for her and has loved being a carer – something which has shone through to the residents and their families.

Shirley has always maintained being very happy in her work - trying to make the people being cared for as happy and comfortable as possible, but also to just have a laugh with them. She speaks to the huge sense of fulfilment from having made someone's day better.

Shirley says at first she had no intentions of ‘moving up the ladder’. But as she moved into part time and then full contracts, Shirley found she wanted to learn more and take on more responsibility. After a few years as acting senior carer, then senior carer, she became Senior Social Care Worker working directly under the care home manager - getting involved in rotas, recruitment and running the home in the absence of the manager.

She undertook qualifications at Orkney College. Then in 2009 the then manager was promoted - by then Shirley had also completed an SVQ4 through Highland College and a PDA in Care Services Management - so she went for the Manager post - and got it.

A special presentation of gifts and cake was held at the care home on Friday afternoon when Shirley was bid a fond farewell by former and current colleagues, residents and their families.

The St Rognvald House team said: “Shirley made a huge impression on all she met, whether a work colleague, resident or family member – and that was reflected in the number of former staff members who came along for the retirement presentation on Friday.

“This really is the end of an era, and she will be sorely missed but the door is always open, and we would welcome her back with open arms any time.

“We wish Shirley a very happy retirement and would like to say ‘put your feet up now’ – but we know that she won’t as she’s not one for sitting idle!”

Head of Health and Community Care, Lynda Bradford, added: “Shirley has been a truly wonderful member of the team – and she will be sorely missed by colleagues, residents and their families.

“But we wish Shirley all the very best for the future and a long, happy and healthy retirement.”