Saggu Sukhvinder’s career in healthcare may have only just begun, but he’s already being recognised as an inspiration and a credit to the Trust.
He received eight nominations from his colleagues, the most that have ever been submitted for one staff member since the Star Awards started.
At the award presentation, Saggu said: “I’m so honoured. I haven’t worked in the NHS for very long and I had a big career change so this positive feedback is touching. Words can’t describe how I’m feeling.
“My life experiences inspired me to work for the NHS as I wanted to give something back and working here is so rewarding.”
The Crisis Assessment Unit in Leeds is for adults experiencing acute and complex mental health crises. It’s is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and allows for assessment of people in a safe environment where they have time and space to explore their current difficulties in more depth.
Saggu said: “The last year working on the ward has come with its challenges, but I look beyond that. A lot of people who come here are really unwell but we can help them with their recovery.
“What I like most about the job is connecting with service users. When they leave full of gratitude it really makes us feel valued and I’ve had some really positive feedback from service users. With me, what you see is what you get. I think service users need to see you’re a human and genuine.”
One of Saggu’s many nominations came from Adam Redhead, Senior Crisis Practitioner. He said: “Saggu is always willing to go above and beyond to help our service users. He is always available to them and wherever possible, he will do anything he can to understand and improve their experience. No one works harder for the service users than Saggu.”
Other colleagues described Saggu as ‘a credit to the service’, ‘a great example of what someone in a caring role should be like’ and ‘an inspiration to the team’.
Along with his Star Award certificate, Saggu received a letter from the Chair and Chief Executive and high street shopping vouchers worth £100.