38 long serving members of staff at Bradford District Care Trust are celebrating after clocking up nearly a thousand years service between them.
The group, made up of staff from a wide range of local health services including mental health, podiatry and district nursing, have been recognised for 25 and 40 years service to the NHS.
Lynne Ash is one member of staff who has reached the 25 year mark. She said “I can’t believe I’ve made it to such a milestone! I’ve always found my work very rewarding though, so it’s easy to see how the years have stacked up.”
Lynne has worked her way up the ranks and started a new post in 2011 as manager of the Trust’s Adult Mental Health Well-being Services which provides services throughout the Bradford district; including creating opportunities for people with mental health problems to get into volunteering or start work placements.
“I think the key to achieving 25 years is being prepared for change” Lynne explained, “I learnt quickly that the NHS is one of the most rapid moving organisations out there. You need to be proactive instead of reactive and look at ways of moving forward with the times.”
Pamela Chapman collected her award after reaching 40 years service as a support worker in the Trust’s learning disabilities service. She said: “I only started as a Saturday girl all those years back!
“I retired four years ago but came back as I still feel young enough to work, and more importantly I still enjoy my work; the people I work with are like a second family and I don’t want to leave. I intend to stay on as long as my health will let me.”
In recognition of their combined 980 years service, each member of staff received a certificate and badge in a ceremony held at the Mercure Hotel, Bingley.
Sandra Knight, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at the Trust, said: “Each one of these members of staff has shown a fantastic commitment to our Trust, and I would like to thank and congratulate every single one of them for their loyal service.”
