Here at Trinity we know how important it is to celebrate the people in our organisation who go above and beyond the line of duty. And that’s why we recently held a very special Celebrating Success ceremony, to say a huge thank you to every member of staff who has dedicated years to our hospice, and gone well out of their way to allow us to be there for everyone who needs us.

We have celebrated those members of staff who have shown they are especially caring, how they are adaptable in their approach to their work, how they are responsible, how they show excellence in their job and how they are social engaged – how they all work by our values.

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Dr Tina Hynes has been recognised for how much she cares, not only for our incredible patients but also her fellow staff.

Nominating Dr Hynes for the award, our former Medical Director Dr Susan Salt said: “Tina is seen by all as a highly compassionate and skilled doctor. She takes the time to listen to concerns not just of patients and relatives but of the staff as well. She is always approachable and puts the needs of the patients and those important to them at the forefront of all she does.

“She is supportive of her colleagues and recognises the impact of looking after complex patients on doctors and nurses, and provides a professional listening ear when needed.”

Physiotherapist and Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Rick Fisher, has been celebratedfor always being adaptable after he developed a staff training programme to help assess patients who may need equipment to improve their independence.

Nominating Rick, Clinical Director Nicky Parkes said: “Over the last 18months Rick has supported five staff members through the program, which has had an impact on how patients are cared for and the way in which prescribed programs of rehabilitation have continued.

“Rick has presented his work at National conference, local hospice meetings and is now being asked to share in other localities. He has been committed, patient and engaged, and has made a real difference to patient care.”

Julie Olsen, who works in our Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Team, has been presented with the Responsible Award for developing the organisation’s virtual consultation programme, which allows patients in hospitals and care homes can be assessed for palliative care, without a Trinity nurse having to be at their side.

Nominating Julie, CNS Team Leader Sarah Roberts said: “Julie has shown that you can challenge the way we have always worked to provide a better service to all who access specialist palliative care alongside her daily role, and other members of the team are now starting to feel more comfortable in the process.

“She has shown that taking responsibility to develop her role and skills can enhance the service we give to patients and other health care professionals.”

Winning the Award for Excellence was Database Management and Information Team Leader, Vicki Costigan. She was nominated by our Head of fundraising, Linzi Warburton, for the work she put in to bring the Hospice Lottery in-house.

Linzi said: “It involved a huge amount of work updating our database and migrating details over, developing new policies and procedures and training staff on the new way of working to allow our lottery to continue to be successful, raising more money for Trinity’s services.

“Vicki grabbed the challenge with both hands, and the administration of the lottery is now managed completely by Vicki and her team. Under her excellent leadership this team provides a high level of donor care for all our lottery members, whether they are new players or existing, at a reduced cost which over the next five years will total an incredible £75,000.”

A whole team of staff walked away with the award for being socially engaged, after they completed our first ever overseas challenges, showing true stamina and raising an incredible amount of money for our hospice, which costs £8 million each year to run.

Members of the nursing team, Nicola Lewis, Kirsty Jones, Lynzi Cook and Anne-Marie Wilkinson joined Corporate Fundraiser Janet Atkins and HR Manager David Warburton for the award after taking part in a London to Paris Bike Ride or a trek along the Great Wall of China last September to raise money for Trinity’s dedicated children’s hospice, Brain House.

Nicola showed true dedication and managed to complete both treks.

Nominating them all, Linzi said: “As well as participating themselves they also encouraged family and friends to join them in their adventures, and it’s thanks to their support that we had a total of 45 participants in these two events. Together, they raised more than £125,000 to support the work of Brian House.

“These were two really challenging events which not only required huge amounts of stamina to achieve, but a great commitment right from the start to raise money for our amazing children’s hospice. These colleagues went above and beyond to smash their individual targets, proving the money and the mission really do go hand in hand.”

Linzi added it was thanks to the success of the two overseas challenges that more were planned for coming years, including a Peru trek in 2020.

Our incredible staff who have been here for one, five, 10 and 20 years have also been given a commemorative badge and congratulated during the ceremony, including Health Care Assistant Julia Sweet who has been working here for 20 years!

All long service staff who received their badges are:

1 year awards:

Shirley Callighan
Georgina Rogerson
Kirsty Jones
Susan Thompson
Jane Dunbar-Dempsey
Vicki Costigan
Kate Herring
Audrey Watson

5 year awards:

Janet Atkins
Victoria Beever
Netta Elliott
Shaunna Wilson
Jennifer Cowan
David Warburton
Nicky Parkes
Samantha Gill

10 year awards:

Emma Dawson

20 Year award:

Julia Sweet 

Well done to all of our staff who were commended at our Celebrating Success ceremony. You are all amazing!