We were delighted to hold the first of several Long Service Awards to thank our colleagues for their outstanding commitments and contributions over the years.
The awards, that have been postponed since 2019 due to the pandemic, kicked off last week at Fontwell Racecourse, where 95 colleagues were recognised for their long service over 20 years, 30 years, 40 years and 40+ years. Their combined number of years of service totalled an incredible 2,256 years.
Colleagues enjoyed an afternoon tea before Dr George Findlay, Chief Executive, and Alan McCarthy, UHSussex Chairman, personally thanked them as they were called up to collect their long service certificates.
At the ceremony George said: “It’s great to be back together face to face. This is the first time in four years we have been able to get people together to say thank you in person so it is really lovely to celebrate together.
“We want to say thank you for their commitment and investment of time, energy and effort looking after our patients and helping to run the Trust.”
Ralph Woolgar, Head of Compliance and Performance in the Facilities and Estates Team, joined the Trust in 1982 on a youth opportunity programme. This led to an engineering apprenticeship and Ralph soon became an engineer for the Trust.
He said: “It’s not just about me today, it’s about everyone here. It’s celebrating a fantastic achievement of all the staff that have that dedication and heart still in the NHS.”
Pearl Green was a volunteer for two years before officially joining the Trust in 1979 as a cleaner. She became an Auxiliary Nurse, before being offered sponsorship to complete her training as a nurse.
Pearl is now a Ward Sister and said: “I wouldn’t have been a trained nurse if I hadn’t have started working here. It’s lovely today to see everyone who has served so many years and lovely to see smiling faces.”
The remaining ceremonies will take place over the next two months where hundreds more colleagues will celebrate reaching some fantastic milestones in their career at the Trust.
Hear from more of our colleagues about their career journeys and what being recognised for their long service means to them in the video.