Trust Values in Action: Celebrating October 2026 staff and team highlights

At Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible work of our teams and individuals who go above and beyond to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.

Individual of the Month Award: Carly Gibson, Mental Health Nurse, Ward 4 the Mount

Congratulations to Carly Gibson, who was named Individual of the Month in recognition of her outstanding commitment to supporting and developing student nurses.

Carly was nominated following exceptional feedback from a student nurse who highlighted the positive impact of her mentorship, guidance and encouragement throughout their placement on Ward 4 at The Mount. Through her patient, adaptable and supportive approach, Carly created an environment where learning felt safe, empowering and accessible, helping to build confidence, independence and clinical skills.

The nomination recognised Carly’s ability to simplify complex learning, provide constructive feedback and encourage autonomy, enabling students to thrive and reach their potential. Her dedication extends beyond the expectations of her role, reflecting a genuine commitment to developing the next generation of mental health nurses.

The judges were particularly impressed by Carly’s empathy and commitment to supporting learners, noting:

“The word which comes to mind is empowerment, going above and beyond the expectations of their paid role to guide and develop others. Looking for ways to communicate, explain, demonstrate and mentor this trainee helped to simplify what could appear daunting, building confidence as a result.”

They also praised Carly as being:

“Strongly committed to developing nursing practice amongst new learners.”

Through her compassionate leadership, high standards and dedication to mentorship, Carly has made a lasting difference to both the student nurses she supports and the future of nursing practice across our Trust. Congratulations, Carly, on this well-deserved recognition.

Team of the Month Award: Leeds Adult ADHD Service

Congratulations to the Leeds Adult ADHD Service, our Team of the Month, recognised for their outstanding dedication, resilience and commitment to delivering high-quality care in the face of significant demand.

Nominated by their Clinical Team Manager, the team was praised for maintaining exceptionally high standards while working under the pressures of long waiting lists and limited resources. Despite these challenges, they continue to provide compassionate, person-centred care, ensuring service users feel listened to, respected and supported.

Through strong teamwork, innovation and a shared commitment to improvement, the service has achieved a remarkable reduction in its assessment waiting list, reducing it from several thousand people to around one thousand, with further improvements underway. The team has also introduced new ways of working to improve access to support, strengthen collaboration with other services and ensure those with complex needs do not fall through the gaps.

The nomination highlighted a culture where every role is valued and respected, with colleagues supporting one another to deliver the best possible outcomes for service users.

The judges described the nomination as a “comprehensive submission indicating a highly functioning, supportive team” and praised the service’s “outstanding impact on waiting list reduction, teamwork and service user outcomes.”

This recognition is particularly meaningful as it is the first time the team has received formal recognition for their work, despite the significant contribution they make every day.

Congratulations to the Leeds Adult ADHD Service on this well-deserved achievement and thank you for the difference you make to service users, carers and colleagues across our Trust.

Sara’s Spotlight Award: Lesa Johnson, Receptionist at the Becklin Centre

We are delighted to recognise Lesa Johnson, Receptionist at the Becklin Centre, as a recipient of Sara’s Spotlight Award for her outstanding compassion, professionalism and dedication to others.

On 29 June 2026, during one of the busiest shifts of the week, Lesa faced significant challenges caused by unexpected car park disruption, managing frustrated visitors, supporting clinics and helping services run smoothly. Despite the pressure, she remained calm, courteous and focused on ensuring patients and visitors received the support they needed.

What truly set Lesa apart was her response to a distressing call from a young woman waiting for a mental health assessment. Realising the caller was in immediate crisis, Lesa stayed on the phone, provided reassurance and sought support from clinical colleagues. Her calm thinking and compassionate approach helped ensure the individual received the urgent support and supervision she needed.

Even after managing this difficult situation alongside the demands of a busy reception area, Lesa continued supporting colleagues and stayed beyond the end of her shift to assist with a safe handover. Her actions demonstrated exceptional care, resilience and commitment to the wellbeing of others.

Dr Sara Munro, Chief Executive Officer, praised Lesa’s “exceptional compassion, professionalism and dedication to others” and described her actions as exemplifying the very best of the Trust’s values.

Congratulations, Lesa, on this well-deserved recognition. Thank you for the difference you make every day to our patients, visitors and colleagues.