Celebrating 70 years of the NHS

On Thursday 5 July we saw the NHS turn 70-years-old.

While we reflecting on the last 70 years, and wondering what the next 70 will hold, we were busy marking the occasion across Leeds and York.

On the day, nearly 1000 people took part in the Big7Tea, a chance to sit down with a slice of cake and raise a cuppa to one of the countries most loved institutions. The bunting, buns and big celebrations looked amazing, and it’s great that so many staff, service users, carers and volunteers could get involved.

Down in London, Chief Executive, Sara Munro, attended Westminster for an exclusive NHS70 event. Tony Gascoigne Bates and Hollie Roblin joined Sara, after being chosen at random in a prize draw to go along.

In York, our staff at CAMHS inpatient unit at Mill Lodge, opened their new and improved sensory garden. Staff spent hours on the garden before its grand opening last week, with help from local partners, companies and volunteers. A special thanks to York Cares, who provided volunteers through the Big Community Challenge, who came from Aviva, John Lewis, Johnsons of Whixley, Nestle, Vangarde, York Council, Evora Construction and JWP Creers. Another thanks to those who generously donated supplies.

On the evening of the birthday, 17 lucky members of staff were invited along with Chair, Sue Proctor, to York Minster for a one-off NHS70 choral concert, hosted by Linda Nolan.

Staff outside York Minster. JPEG

If you missed it, ‘Looking back, looking forward’ was an event at Leeds City Museum reflecting on the last 70 years of learning disability services in Leeds, and recognising how far we’ve come. Take a look at one of the highlights of the day, a video of some of our service users performing What a Wonderful World. Below is Anti-stigma Coordinator, Tricia Thorpe, with the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Graham Latty. Tricia organised the event and curated the exhibition.

Over the last few months we’ve also been sharing stories from our staff for 70 faces at 70.

Mosaic of staff pictures for 70 faces at 70 campaign. JPEG