They say social workers never retire – and for me it turned out to be true

I started working as a qualified social worker nearly 40 years ago. I worked as an approved social worker until 2007 and then as an approved mental health professional (AMHP).

I always enjoyed working with clients and their families, even when tensions were high, but I confess I often found working for local social services authorities overly complicated.

In the days of paper and pen, I found that I had the ability to work and deliver what was expected of me without too much difficulty. Then computers came and I had great difficulty adjusting to the myriad terms, screens, emails and online forms. I was given training, but I still had difficulties due to my tech shortcomings.

I retired in 2017 when I reached 65 years and I was ready to spend time relaxing. I was tired and weary and looking forward to other activities that would not involve typing reports to a manager. I was happy to get away from computers and the strain of working five days a week.

I also looked forward to less driving and putting my retirement plans into action which included visiting historic buildings, going to lunch and watching films at the cinema.

Despite this, I was very emotional at my leaving party because I would miss my team. 

When the Covid-19 pandemic came, all my plans were abandoned and I spent my days avoiding people. Then I had a letter from the government asking me to consider returning to work, as so many staff were off with Covid.

Like many others, I did return on a part time basis, three days a week working with deprivation of liberty safeguards via video. It was a great distraction from Covid, and I enjoyed being in touch with work team members again.

The work also gave me a weekly structure, which I had been missing, and mental stimulation.

Post-Covid, as things were settling into a new ‘normal’, I had my second social distancing retirement do with my colleagues. More cards, more cake and more gifts…

I was busy watching a movie one quiet day in September 2022, when the phone rang and I was asked if I would consider another return to work two days weekly to work with the AMHP team to help cover reduced staff.

I discussed this with my wife, who had reservations, but accepted the offer on the grounds that the rising cost of living might stretch our finances. But I must admit I was also quite excited by the prospect of returning to work again.

I am fortunate to be healthy at the age of 71. And so, following more applications, sending off documents and more tech training, I re-joined the AMHP team.

I suppose this might seem strange to some but I have really enjoyed being back at work. This time I am visiting families at their homes, visiting clients in hospitals and care homes. I meet staff in these places and often hear people say: “Hi Mike, I thought you’d retired?”

I have learned how to operate my super-modern work mobile phone and how to save documents into the back of the computer. I am helping colleagues respond to the current need for extra support for young people who have developed anorexia, unhealthy eating habits and self-harm behaviours since the pandemic which has driven me to explore NHS webinars for the latest studies and research.

Overall, I have really valued being part of a team again and hope to continue as long as I am helpful. For me, at least, the old saying that social workers never retire has turned out to be true…