Stars shine in the sun during our Big Thank You Fortnight

Teams and services across the Trust have been celebrating their achievements over the last two weeks as part of our Big Thank You Fortnight.

An image that says "The Big Thank You Fortnight" with balloons. Our Big Thank You Fortnight has been an opportunity for teams to take time out, come together in person and celebrate their incredible achievements during the last two and a half years.

Managers have also been awarding staff with special Covid Star medals – there’s more about them on this page too.

Below you’ll find a summary of just a few of the Big Thank You picnics, tea parties and get togethers that have taken place throughout July, including a little video montage just below.


A Perinatal Picnic at Parkside Lodge (5 July 2022)

A montage of three pictures showing staff from our perinatal mental health service enjoying their Big Thank You picnic.

Our first #BigThankYou event took place on 5 July 2022 and it was picnic at Parkside Lodge in Armley with our Perinatal Mental Health Service. They were also the first #TeamLYPFT to receive their Covid Stars for efforts during the pandemic and beyond.


Recovery College and Volunteers bash at Age UK Community Hub in Leeds – (7 July 2022)

Recovery College and Volunteers at a Big Thank You event 7 July 2022

On Thursday 7 July we had the opportunity to thank the amazing #TeamLYPFT volunteers at the Age UK Community Hub in Leeds City Centre. Colleagues from the Leeds Recovery team also got involved to present volunteers with their Covid Stars and enjoy a fabulous buffet in person.

What a great day was had by all! #BigThankYou


Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Service (7 July 2022)

Staff from our Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Service showing off their Covid Star medals.

There was a lovely little gathering of staff from our Leeds Autism Diagnostic Service and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Service on Thursday 7 July at their base in Aire Court, South Leeds. There were heartfelt #BigThankYou speeches given, Covid Stars awarded, and tasty food consumed.

Watch the speeches on our You Tube channel.


EMERGE Leeds: Complex Emotional Needs Service team at St. Mary’s Hospital (7 July 2022)

EMERGE Leeds: Complex Emotional Needs Service team Big Thank you event

The sun was shining for the #BigThankYou event at St Mary’s Hospital for the EMERGE Leeds: Complex Emotional Needs Service team. The team were presented with their Covid Star medals for their huge efforts during the pandemic. Ops Manager Jamie Scott said, “It’s so important to take this moment to say thank you, to take stock and make sure people know just how much they’re appreciated.”


The nursing team at Temple Newsam (11 July 2022)

Temple Newsam was a wonderful venue for the nursing team’s #BigThankYou picnic. A fantastic way of bringing the team together to say thank you, some re-uniting in person after being apart during the pandemic. Cathy Woffendin, Director of Nursing, Professions and Quality, handed out Covid Stars, thank you cards, and gave a heartfelt thank you to the team.


The Veterans Service at Lea House (11 July 2022)

On Monday 11 July colleagues from the Veteran’s Service gathered in the sunshine to celebrate their Big Thank You tea party.

There was a fabulous buffet for colleagues to chat over whilst being able to come together and meet those they had only seen virtually. Colleagues Vicki and Katie, and Veterans Craig and Terry showed off their Covid stars and expressed their appreciation for their recognition.


Procurement and Logistics Teams – 12 July 2022

Our procurement and logistics teams in front of their base.

Here’s to some of #TeamLYPFT’s more unsung heroes in the Procurement & Logistics teams. A few of them gathered for a #BigThankYou event at their base on Roseville Road in Leeds on Tuesday 12 July. They got us the stuff we needed during the pandemic and their Covid Stars (which they’re proudly sporting) are well deserved. And . . . if you’re wondering who our young apprentice is, it’s baby Louis with proud grandma Maggie Garner who’s one of our very experienced buyers.


South Leeds Older People’s Community Mental Health Team – 13 July 2022

The sun was shining down on our South Leeds Older People’s Community Mental Health Team as they had their Big ThankYou tea party at Aire Court, Middleton, Leeds.

There was lots of fun, cakes and celebration for all of their achievements at work – it’s great to have these wonderful people as part of Team LYPFT!

South Leeds Older People’s Community Mental Health Team enjoying their Big Thank You party


Learning and Disability Team at St Mary’s Hospital (14 July 2022)

Learning & Disability Team Big Thank You Garden Party at St Mary's Hospital

What a wonderful sunny day for a picnic; the Learning and Disability Team had their #BigThankYou party yesterday. Plenty of tasty treats to enjoy, music and laughter, celebrating their achievements at the Trust. 

Katheryn Maddeb, a Learning Disability Nurse, and Gemma Dearing, a Psychologist show off their Covid Stars which had been handed out to all of the team.


Estates & Facilities Team St Mary’s Hospital (14 July 2022)

Dave Sanderson, Transformation Director for Estates & Facilities at LYPFT, and Adrian Eggleton, National Estates Operational Lead for NHS England, shared a #BigThankYou to the Trusts Estates and Facilities staff. Watch the speech on our YouTube Channel. 

Staff celebrated their hard work during the challenges of the last two years and their continued efforts receiving their covid stars and enjoying a BBQ in the lovely gardens of St Mary’s Hospital. 

Estates & Facilities Team St Mary's Hospital enjoying a BBQ in the lovely gardens of St Mary's Hospital.


People and Organisational Development teams – 18 July 2022

Our People and OD teams came together for a big time out session on Monday 18 July. After lunch members of the team were presented with their Covid Stars, including our People Resourcing and Organisational Development (or PROD!) team – pictured below.

Members of the People Resourcing and Organisational Development Team with their Covid Stars.

 


A Big Thank You BBQ at Red Kite View (28 July 2022)

A montage of staff enoying the BBQ and receiving their Covid Star medals.
Young service users joined staff in a Big Thank You event at our children and young people’s mental health inpatient unit (aka Red Kite View), on Thursday 28 July 2022.

Guests were serenaded with karaoke pop tunes and everyone enjoyed some excellent BBQ food prepared on site by the fab catering team.

Ops Manager Nik Lee (in the green shirt) was also busy handing out Covid Stars to members of his team, with service users joining in with this as well.


A Big Thank You to our Heads of Operations (26 July 2022)

Joanna Forster Adams, Chief Operating Officer, and Mark Dodd, Interim Deputy Director of Service Delivery, celebrated with Heads of Operations at a development session on 26 July and presented their well-deserved Covid Stars in recognition of all their amazing hard work over the pandemic. Joanna said: “It was great to see them getting a chance to have a cuppa together and one or two had a biscuit too!” 

Big Thank You to LYPFT Heads of Operations


Get involved and share your Big Thank You moments

Whilst the Big Thank You Fortnight has finished, we know teams and services are still coming togethre and we’d love to hear about it. Drop us a line and send some pictures to communications.lypft@nhs.net or post to our social channels using the hashtags #BigThankYou and #TeamLYPFT.