Over 120 staff members and volunteers from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) came together at a special awards ceremony to celebrate their dedication and many years of service to the National Health Service (NHS).
Nurses, speech and language therapists, administrative staff, school age vaccinators, volunteer ward assistants, breastfeeding peer supporters and those in even more healthcare and volunteering roles, came together to celebrate their outstanding achievement at the LPT Long Service Awards on Friday 13 September. On the day, those in the room had collectively racked up over 3,415 years’ worth of service to the NHS, achieved between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2024.
The awards ceremony, which took place at the Glenfield Education and Training Centre, celebrated staff who have worked for the NHS for either 25, 30 or 40 years. Volunteers were also recognised for their five, 10 or 20 years of service to LPT, with everyone in attendance enjoying afternoon tea and a presentation ceremony where each person received a certificate and thank you card.
LPT chief executive, Angela Hillery, said: “The buzz and joy in the room on the day was fantastic. I felt so proud and privileged to be with so many amazing people and to hear their wonderful stories.
“Without the commitment of these colleagues and volunteers, the NHS wouldn’t be able to deliver the fantastic work it does. Each person recognised for their contribution will have made a direct impact on hundreds, if not thousands, of lives, regardless of their role. Those we celebrated have been there to help people at their most vulnerable and have helped to improve and enhance our services for patients over their many years of service. Their dedication, resilience and compassion is outstanding. We are so thankful for their commitment and are so proud of what they have achieved.
“I’d like to thank all those who came to the event, and those who have a milestone number of years NHS service but who were unable to be there on the day; this year the Trust has 344 colleagues celebrating a landmark number of years’ service, which equates to a huge 9,635 years’ service to the NHS.
“The NHS, the future generations of our workforce and our local community are so fortunate to have been supported by these wonderful individuals.”
Angela added: “We are so thankful to our sponsors, Capsticks LLP and Myles Fitness Ltd, who both work with the Trust. It was lovely to have their support, which made the event possible. We also received a generous discount from Buttercream Tearoom in Hinkley, who provided the delicious afternoon tea for the event.”
Staff and volunteer profiles
Some of the colleagues and volunteers who attended the event reflected on their careers and contributions to the NHS.
Maxine Acton, health visitor at LPT, 40-year long service in the NHS
Maxine said: “I always wanted to be a nurse and as I worked for 18 years at Leicester General Hospital, I felt like part of the fixtures and fittings! I have now been a health visitor for 11 years and continue to enjoy the role immensely, supporting families and children in the city of Leicester.
“I’ve got so many memories throughout my career: Along with my nursing colleagues at Leicester General Hospital, we completed a sponsored bed push all the way to the clock tower and back, raising £700 for transplant funds. It was exhausting but fun!
“I also loved my time in nursing school and was chosen to be in the remake of the Ladybird book of the nurse, ‘People Who Help Us‘ – a series in 1983. I thought I had been chosen as I passed my first exam with 89% but my tutor told me, ‘I’ve chosen you because you look like a nurse.’ I was overwhelmed; what a compliment when I was only just starting my journey!
“The NHS has changed massively since I started and continues to do so rapidly, with new technology and medical advancement, less paperwork and less staff. I remember working with some ‘army major’ type ward sisters who ran a tight ship and even wanted the wheels on the beds to all be straight.”
“My advice to anyone beginning their NHS career journey is to enjoy it and try to experience lots of different areas of practice; its invaluable. Above all, strive to maintain high standards of quality nursing care, and fight for the NHS. We need it now and in the future.”
Dawn Hawkins, specialist palliative care nurse at LPT, 25 years long service in the NHS
Dawn, said: “I joined the NHS back in 1995, when I started my career as a student nurse and qualified as a registered nurse in 1998. I went on to fulfil my passionate desire to nurse in palliative care in the year 2001, where I first worked at a local hospice. From there, I transferred the skills and knowledge gained into the community, working for LPT as a specialist palliative care nurse and to present day.
“I am profoundly grateful and privileged to have nursed many patients, to have helped them to remain at home to die, making sure they are comfortable, thus meeting their pets, listening to family stories and share in so many precious moments. Similarly, to work with many colleagues, managers and mentors that have supported me to do the job that I do and love, being lucky that some colleagues have become lifelong friends.
“Over the last 25 years, it has been an innovative and a challenging career, with many ups and downs, but without a shadow of doubt it is the most rewarding job.”
Katherine Stevens, breastfeeding peer supporter (Bosom Babies), 10 years long service volunteering in the NHS
Katherine said: “I feel very blessed to be a part of families lives from delivering our antenatal workshop, supporting parents with feeding choices that are right for them, online, by phone and in person. Then continuing support until soon after the end of their breastfeeding journey.
“It is a very emotional role, seeing some mothers during one of their hardest times, sleep deprived, in pain and desperately wanting to breastfeed. By giving these parents a safe space to talk and offering support and credible information, they grow in confidence and reach self-efficacy.
“What I didn’t anticipate was the impact that it would have on my whole life; it has led me to pursue further education and I am now studying Duel Field Nursing with Leadership MSci, alongside being a peer supporter for Bosom Babies.”
The Long Service Awards are just one of the ways LPT recognises the care and commitment shown by its staff and volunteers. The Trust also runs monthly Valued Star Awards, celebrating those who have gone above and beyond in bringing to life our core values of trust, integrity, compassion and respect. Nominations can be made for LPT staff or volunteers by colleagues or patients and service users at www.leicspart.nhs.uk/valuedstars . In addition, the Trust’s nurses can be nominated for a coveted and internationally recognised DAISY Award (more details on how to nominate can be found on www.leicspart.nhs.uk/daisy ) as well as the Trust’s annual Celebrating Excellence Awards, which acknowledge a huge range of achievements across LPT’s 5,600-strong workforce. This year, the Celebrating Excellence Awards will be held on Friday 11 October at the Grand Hotel in Leicester, thanks to the generous sponsorship of local partners.
For more information about volunteering opportunities please visit www.leicspart.nhs.uk/volunteering