It is not often that a work experience visit results in a 40-year career, however, in the case of Gaynor Gage, now 55 years old, this was exactly the case when a short bout of work experience resulted in a job offer with the Co-op Food store in Cwmavon.

Joining the company in 1983, young Gaynor had no way of knowing at the start of her career it would lead to her celebrating her 40-year anniversary with the Co-op, having spent the 12 years working within Co-op Funeralcare, firstly as an arranger, then as a funeral director.

For more than two decades, Gaynor's commitment to her role with the Co-op did not fade throughout the years, even when she welcomed two sons into the world.

"I worked with the same Co-op food store for 28 years, and never once broke my years of service. It was very apparent to me that the company was - and still is - looking out for their staff, allowing us to progress in our careers based on our individual strengths and interests," Gaynor said.

It was only after her children had grown up and moved out of the family home that Gaynor began considering another career path, something that would break the rhythm she had gotten used to for just under 30 years.

It was then that an opportunity with the local Co-op Funeralcare became available, prompting Gaynor to take the leap.

"Funeralcare is a calling, not a job - I always believed in order to be the best funeral arranger possible, you needed to acquire life skills such as compassion and empathy and allow yourself to dedicate as much time as the families needed," Gaynor explained.

Starting out as a funeral arranger working at the William Pressdee Co-op Funeralcare, then transferring to the Rees Davies & Son Co-op Funeralcare only a few months later, Gaynor was determined to prove her worth and continue advancing her career.

"I had the opportunity to work with the most senior funeral director in the area at the time, Mr. Mervyn Rees Jones, who took me under his wing as soon as I joined. It was through his guidance that I realised this had been my life goal all along, caring for families and their loved ones during some of their hardest times" Gaynor reminisced.

Having left school young to pursue a career with the Co-op, Gaynor had no prior qualifications preparing her for a career in funeralcare, however was pleasantly surprised by the level of support and encouragement received from her colleagues and mentor, Mr. Jones, as she completed her NVQ exam in funeral arranging. Despite passing her exams with flying colours, Gaynor spent the next seven years constantly learning about her profession, finding out how to best support her community through bereavement.

It was only after Mr. Jones announced his retirement that Gaynor began once again considering her next step, ultimately applying for the role of funeral director in a nod to her mentor's legacy. "When the opportunity came up for me to progress to the next level as a funeral director, I did not hesitate to take on the challenge.

Taking on the role of funeral director for both Co-op Rees Davies & Son Funeralcare and Fforestfach Funeralcare whilst also sharing the role with another colleague at Co-op William Pressdee Funeralcare, I was determined to continue improving my skills when it comes to looking after the families in our care. I am proud to say I am now a fully-qualified funeral director, having passed all exams with a Distinction" Gaynor said.

Asked why she decided to stay with the Co-op for so many decades, Gaynor stated: "I am, and have always been, very loyal to Co-op, because they have always helped me so much to progress in my career. From the moment I joined, to my current role, I have always felt looked after and supported as I continued climbing up the ranks and pursuing my calling. I can't imagine having spent the past forty years any other way."

To learn more about careers with Co-op Funeralcare, visit: https://jobs.coop.co.uk/funeralcare.