Meet two of Ikea's oldest employees who want to work at the Wednesbury branch for 'as long as they can'

"It’s more of a family than a job really, which is important when you’re our age," said Bill, who has assembled furniture at the store for almost three decades.

Champa added: "It’s been a real support network for me in my later years, which is so special to me as I am now alone at home."

The 82-year-old is a self-service co-worker, who recalls the incredible support received from colleagues at the store when she lost her husband in 2012.

"Ikea supported me through everything at a time when I was lost and had no idea of what I should do after he’d passed," she said.

Champa ran a shoe shop with her late husband for 19 years in the Wednesbury area.

"I’ve never told her this, but my grandchildren remember going to see Champa for their school shoes," said Bill, who was a manager at a local washing machine business before he was made redundant.

He was keen to work for Ikea when it opened in Wednesbury in 1990, but had no luck in the first round of applications.

"I’d heard Ikea was opening, but there were so many applications that I didn’t manage to secure an interview.

"Three years later, my daughter heard that Ikea were recruiting for a worker for a couple of weeks. I started the next day and I’ve been here ever since!"

Champa and Bill recall the amazing experiences they’ve had at Ikea, during what has become a second career for both of them.

"My 70th birthday was so memorable because of my friends at Ikea. It was a working day for me, but the balloons, celebrations and happiness of the day, thanks to everyone at work, was amazing," said Champa.

"I was also really proud to be part of the Wednesbury team when we were recognised as Ikea’s Global Store of the Year in 2022. It was a really special moment.

"Seeing all the people I do has also allowed me to stay connected with the Wednesbury community. I have worked here for most of my life and continue to see the faces of people I used to serve with my husband in our shoe shop," she added.

Bill is most thankful for the people he’s met over the years, and said: "It can be an incredible place, with really fantastic people. We’ve even had a few footballers and famous faces in.

"But it’s not about that at all, it’s about the people you see coming into work that make you feel part of something."

Meeting Ikea’s founder, Ingvar Kamprad, was another highlight for Bill, who said: "He was a fascinating man, and said he’d hoped to see me at my 90th. Sadly he’s no longer with us, but I’ll always remember that day."

Bill and Champa said they are not ready to slow down or consider retirement and both want to continue working at Ikea for as long as they can.

"It’s great that Ikea take on mature workers. We feel so valued and part of the team," Champa said.

Bill added: "It keeps us fit and out of trouble – it’s a nice place to be. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t be here.

"There’s not a lot of places that give older people like us a chance to work, so it’s great that we found an employer like Ikea."

Champa has four sons, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

“We’re in competition,” laughs Bill, who has three children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.