Val Williams, a woman like no other

VAL WILLIAMS is a woman like no other, a true gem to the Costa del Sol’s crown, helping the community in any and every way she can. Val Williams has raised thousands of euros for those in need throughout the Costa del Sol in her last 38 years of living here.

Val Williams is known for her generosity, inspiring nature and energy, but she is also a mother, hotelier, author, teacher, chef, founder of Simply Thriving and is continuing to do so in glamour and style at the age of 84.

Born in Malta where her father was stationed in the Second World War, her mother, Val and sister fled back to Wales to escape the fighting. Unfortunately, Val’s father passed away in the war and she lived studied and worked in Birming ham, London and Wales.

From teaching to running the Rum Hole and Noddfa restaurants to Henlly’s a 48 acre, 27­room mansion Val decided to sell up the beautiful mansion to then move to Andalu cia in 1985.

Val has always been the heart and soul of the community and has helped in whatever way she can from her meals on wheels, nine years of fundraising for the Salon de Varietes, Friends of the Theatre, then Simply Surviving to now Simply Thriving, she has raised well over €100,000 in her 38 years of being in Spain.

Why does Val do it?

To ensure that nobody goes without and that the community know that there is someone out there that cares. Simply Surviving, now Simply Thriving, was started during the pandemic and continues today to give expatriates and those who live on the coast a new lease of life and make friends and not become lonely while out here and local per­ formers a means to work,

When talking to Val about her life, experiences and who she looks up to she said “I look up to my two daughters and my mother, who had to look after two children alone after her husband died in the war. She made the best out of everything.

“It is important to be useful rather than take take take, if you want to be happy in life be useful, it is important. I look up to anyone and everyone in conservation, those who actively make the world a better place.”

My advice for those who are on the coast?

“Come along to the group, that’s all, we are a social group, it’s simple, so you don’t feel lonely. There is always someone here for you, we are a support network. If you want a happy life, be useful, it is important, look after people. People who are the happiest give it all to make a difference, I do what I can to be a help.”

Simply Thriving hosts one event and one luncheon every month and Val ensures that it is or is as close to cost price as possible so that you can socialise and be part of the community without having to pay a huge price, with even a table dedicated to singles.

Simply Thriving allows those along the coast to come together have fun and raise funds in a small way to local charities in need.

If you would like to learn more about Val and her story pick up her book ‘A Pickled Past’ online or Join the The Simply Thriving Facebook page.