Long serving health worker in Kirklees retires

An NHS worker retired after 27 years of supporting people with mental health problems and their carers in the Dewsbury and Mirfield area.

During her career, 62 year old Susan Fox, from Huddersfield, has worked in variety of roles including running cookery and dressmaking groups for patients at the now closed, psychiatric day unit, Dewsbury and helping to rehabilitate patients from Storthes Hall into the community.

In 1997, Susan set up a new support service for people who care for care for someone with a mental health problem, which has involved giving carers individual support and organising breaks for them. She has also run a monthly support group for carers for over 16 years.

Susan’s colleagues and people she has worked with over the years came to say their goodbyes to Susan at a retirement party held at the Mind building, Dewsbury.

Susan said, "I have always enjoyed working and helping service users and carers to improve their quality of life. I am also a carer of somebody with a mental health problem and think this has helped me understand the needs of carers. I particularly enjoyed the challenge of setting up a new service for carers, and helping the carers to consider their own needs. I shall continue to take an interest in carer support services in mental health during my retirement."

Susan plans to spend her retirement with her family and friends, gardening and planning holidays. She also hopes to continue her work with the Huddersfield branch of Soroptomists International.