Life-changing work of NHS staff celebrated at awards ceremony

The care, compassion and life changing contributions of NHS staff were recognised at the Pennine Care People Awards ceremony.

Nine awards were given to teams and individuals who work for Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health, learning disability and autism services across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, Stockport, and Tameside.

Over 400 hard working colleagues came together to celebrate at a Manchester hotel. In its third year, with costs covered by sponsorship, the awards aim to celebrate and thank colleagues for their relentless hard work and outstanding achievements over the last 12 months.

The evening was packed with heartwarming stories of the many individuals and teams who go above and beyond to improve the lives of patients, families, and carers. 

International mental health ambassador Poppy Jaman OBE hosted the event. She delivered a heart-warming speech, before introducing the nine award categories.

The winners were announced by the event’s silver sponsors, who also presented the award and certificate.

Guests were uplifted and entertained by the newly established Pennine Care Choir; funded by the Pennine Care Charity, and the Manchester Proud Chorus; a community choir representing the LGBTQI+ community.

Beth Byrne and Olivia Barratt, project officer and team leader for Pennine Care’s resourcing team, won the great innovation award. Earlier this year, the pair reduced the use of agency staff from 44% to 20%; below the national target of 25%.

They supported 180 agency workers to transition to temporary (bank) staff and improved their learning and induction process. This is helping improve the quality and safety of care and achieved significant financial savings.

Learning disability programme manager Claire Lilley won the coveted colleague of the year award. Her nominator is grateful for her infectious enthusiasm, passion for excellence, innovative problem-solving skills, unwavering integrity, and commitment to making a difference. 

She led key developments, including recruiting Greater Manchester’s first learning disability peer support workers and the development of the Radcliffe Place hospital avoidance service.

Transformation project manager Yasmin Khan took home the inspirational leader award. Her nominators wanted to highlight the “mind-blowing” impact she’s had in a short time.

She’s described as a fountain of knowledge, who keeps everything running like clockwork - from building relationships to managing data, finances, and governance. She’s confident, calm and in control. And she’s a great team player, using her expertise to support colleagues with kindness and patience.

The winner of the prestigious Team of the year award was the Pennine Care out of area placement team. Between February and July 2024 (period covered by the award submission), this small, innovative team achieved a 60% reduction in the number of patients in out of area beds and reduced the average length of stay from 44 to 24 days.

They go over and above to provide the best care and experience. And they’re working hard to eliminate out of area placements, ensuring people can stay closer to their home, loved ones and vital community support.

Pennine Care chief executive Anthony Hassall, said: “It was wonderful to bring together so many of our colleagues to recognise and celebrate their remarkable and life changing work.

"We’re seeing a year-on-year increase in the number of award submissions – with a whopping 533 received this year. This isn’t surprising as there’s so much great work happening across the organisation. The examples shared on the night were just a snapshot.

“Huge congratulations to our nine winners and well done to our finalists and everyone who was nominated. We are so grateful and proud of our Pennine Care People.”

Pennine Care chair, Evelyn Asante-Mensah OBE, said: “This was our best event so far. The love and joy in the room was infectious and continues to radiate across our organisation.

“I’ve always been one of the NHS’s biggest cheerleaders. But recent personal experiences have brought home how vital our country’s most precious asset really is. Our colleagues are the beating heart of the NHS, so I’m so pleased we’re able to celebrate and thank them in such spectacular style.”

Event host Poppy Jaman OBE said: “It was such a privilege to be part of the 2024 Pennine Care People Awards.

“Despite 20 years of working in mental health, I never fail to feel inspired and moved by the care, compassion and dedication shown by NHS colleagues.

"They get up each morning determined to make a positive difference and to give people hope for a brighter future. The ceremony was a rollercoaster of emotions, that I’ll never forget.”