Trust Values in Action: Celebrating February 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. Here are our latest winners for Team of the Month, Individual of the Month.

Team of the Month – Crisis Assessment Unit / Police Pathways

Over the past 18 months, the team has navigated significant change with professionalism, compassion and unwavering commitment to putting service users first.

Adapting Through Major Service Transformation

Following the merger of the Crisis Assessment Unit (CAU) and Police pathways, the team now works flexibly across CAU, the 136 Suite and Street Triage within a single shift. This transformation required adaptability, collaboration and a shared focus on delivering safe, effective care during a period of uncertainty.

In November last year, the CAU relaunched. However, due to the ongoing and significant bed pressures across the Trust, the unit has frequently been required to support individuals who do not meet the usual criteria or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and who should have been admitted to an acute inpatient ward.

Despite this, the team has consistently demonstrated integrity flexing’ the service to ensure that those needing an acute inpatient stay can remain local, avoiding out‑of‑area placements that separate people from their support networks.

Putting Service Users First, No Matter the Circumstances

Throughout this period of change, pressure and shifting demands, the team has continued to provide outstanding, person‑centred care. They have:

  • Ensured fewer service users are sent out of area by adapting the CAU to accept acute admissions when needed.
  • Provided compassionate support to every individual who comes through their doors, regardless of pathway, criteria or reason for admission.
  • Shown flexibility, professionalism and resilience in the face of ongoing operational challenges.
  • Maintained an average length of stay of just 13 days, significantly lower than acute wards, even while supporting a high number of acute admissions over the past 12 months.

A Team Driven by Integrity and Compassion

The team’s willingness to embrace change, step outside traditional boundaries and prioritise the needs of service users has made a meaningful difference across the Trust. Their efforts have ensured continuity of care, reduced disruption for individuals and families, and upheld the values at the heart of our service.

This recognition reflects not only their adaptability and hard work, but also their collective commitment to delivering safe, respectful and responsive crisis care, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Individual of the Month – Jenna Hakiki, Senior Mental Health Practitioner

We are delighted to shine a spotlight on Jenna, a valued member of the OpCourage Core WSY team, who has been recognised with a nomination that speaks volumes about her compassion, professionalism and unwavering commitment to the veterans she supports.

Jenna was nominated by Danella Senior, Clinical Team Manager, who described her as someone who “treats all veterans she works with dignity and respect” and praised her “genuine style of promoting engagement with this often hard‑to‑engage service user group.”

Danella added:

“She receives positive feedback regularly from all that work with her including colleagues and other professionals she liaises with.”

Going Above and Beyond for Every Veteran

Working with veterans, particularly those managing trauma, transitions, or complex needs, requires exceptional sensitivity, perseverance, and compassion. Jenna brings exactly that.

Danella highlighted how:

  • Jenna works tirelessly to ensure veterans fully understand their care plans
  • She collaborates with veterans to identify and work towards meaningful recovery goals
  • She tailors support to the unique needs of individuals, recognising the wide diversity within the veteran community

This user‑centred approach not only supports recovery, it strengthens trust and empowers individuals to move forward with confidence and hope.

Making a Difference Through the Afghan Warm Welcome Scheme

Recently, Jenna received heartfelt feedback from a service user referred to OpCourage via the Afghan Warm Welcome Scheme. The individual spoke warmly about the team’s support and singled out Jenna’s approach as a vital part of their recovery journey.

Below is the anonymised compliment in full, an emotional and powerful testimony that captures the life‑changing impact Jenna’s work has had.

A Letter of Thanks

Dear Ms. Jenna,

I hope this message makes you feel better.

I am writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation for all that you have done for me. While I was struggling with so many challenges – challenges that were slowly weakening my spirit and making me lose hope in continuing to live in such conditions – I was unable to make positive decisions about my future. I often cried in silence, away from others, and felt disconnected from everyone around me.

It was you who guided me with practical and professional methods on how to awaken my emotions and motivation, and how to manage my anger and frustration. Your support helped me rebuild my place in my family and community.

By following your advice and practising the techniques you taught me, I have gradually learned – and continue to learn – how to deal with situations that are difficult for me. I have started to think more about my future and my family and try to have a positive outlook.

There are still things that cause me pain or distress, memories that haunt my mind, but I am learning to let them go because they have been with me for years. Your guidance has helped me understand how to move forward.

I also want to thank you and your colleagues for working as a team to support me. It was a powerful lesson that showed me that there are truly good people in this world who care about the well-being of others. I believe that God sends kind and honest people into our lives to help us when we cannot help ourselves. Thank you for your kindness in helping me, comforting me, and helping me find solutions to my problems.

Dear Jenna, It would fill many pages if I were to describe all the kindness and support you and your team have provided. So, instead, I will simply say: I sincerely wish you the best. May happiness always be with you and your days be filled with joy.

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