This award is an opportunity for patients, families, visitors, and Trust colleagues to say ‘thank you – you made a difference’ to a member of staff or a team for anything (however small!) that helped make their experience of our services better.

We're delighted to announce that our joint November ‘Shine a Light’ winner is: Mary Linniard, children’s community complex nursery nurse.

Mary was nominated by Natsha Hall for the way she spoke up and advocated for a very unwell child with very complex needs for whom it was not in his best interests to resuscitate.

What a lovely nomination, well done!

Other nominations this month were:

April Bloom, Professional Lead
Hayley Walker nominate April for being so supportive of staff and ensuring families get a good experience. One particular service user said: “April has restored my faith in this service. She has gone above and beyond for me and my little girl. April has made me feel validated in my concerns, understanding and has tried to rectify the issues that I have faced. I cannot thank you enough.”

Emma Hart and Harriet Jarvis, Speech and language therapists
Harriet and Emma have been integral to the schools and setting projects and running the high needs project within the Norfolk and Waveney SLT service during a period of rapid change. Their hard work and dedication to support the service and meet the needs of children and families has helped to shape service delivery, inspire change, and promote confidence in the wider team. 

Anna Lynch, Senior wellbeing practitioner
Kathryn Wood nominated Anna for her incredible work ethic since she joint their team as a trainee. Kathryn said "she has been outstanding in her contribution to the service as well as fulfilling her role as Chair for the East of England Psychological Professions Network Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner and Education Mental Health Practitioner Community of Practice."

Amy Ralph, Education mental health practitioner
Amy was nominated by Kathryn Wood for her outstanding work with a girl who has alopecia and was struggling with associated anxiety. Kathryn said: "she is now more confident talking about her alopecia with her parents and friends and is engaging with a national Alopecia charity with Amy's support. Amy took time to listen to the client and worked hard to provide some meaningful support for her ( including talking with Psychologists from the charity ). Amy leaves us to start a new chapter in Utah in January - she will be sorely missed in the Cambridge MHST."

Michelle Staples, RNA
Debbie Banks nominated Michelle Staples stating "Michelle is always eager to help and always takes extra visits when she has capacity, Michelle goes that extra mile to make sure patients are looked after. Michelle is always smiling and happy."

Lorreta Cowell, Health visitor
Lorreta was nominated by a service user who said "There are few people I feel that give their heart and sole to their job, Lorreta is one of them. She is a rare find, and a woman that has been by my side at some of the most challenging times I’ve faced as a mother,.. she is worth her weight in gold. We would have struggled without Lorreta and can’t imagine not having her support. Her role in our family and supporting our son has become a vital lifeline to us."

Sharon Albone, SEND family worker
Sarah Holmes nominated Sharon for the work she does within the early intervention team in supporting children and their families to meet their needs whilst they are waiting for assessment for neurodevelopmental conditions. Sharon recently had a patient story presented to the children services meetings and ICB board seminar outlining the specific support she provided for one family and the amazing impact her input had on the whole family. Sharon is a committed, compassionate and much-valued member of the team.

Clare Jaggard, Receptionist
Janine Elsegood nominated Clare for the amazing work she done with the Christmas jumper day which raised a fantastic £456 for Save the Children. Clare has also nominated herself to collect the empty plastic chocolate tubs from people so as she can join the plea to recycle the plastic which will in turn raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.