Our recent International Women’s Day event was a roaring success, with colleagues from all across our Trust coming to participate.

Stalls had been set up at the event with the stall holders delivering inspiring and thought-provoking discussions. A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the session so engaging. Our speakers have already expressed interest in returning, which is a great testament to the energy and participation on the day.

Charity Manager, Emma Kovaleski, said: "What a wonderful event - my team and I had the best time!"

Deputy Chief Executive, Jonny Hammond, said: "It was a great pleasure to attend the 'Give to Gain, International Women’s Day' event. There were fantastic stalls and speakers describing what's available for women inside and outside the organisation.

"It is a brilliant opportunity to recognise what the women of CHFT bring day-in, day-out to the patients we serve, and the strength they bring to the culture of our organisation. Thank you to those that organised it and thank you to the women of CHFT for what they do every day."

Director of Workforce and Organisational Development, Jason Eddleston, said: "The event was excellent. There was a real sense of energy throughout, with colleagues actively engaged in conversation, connecting with one another and taking the opportunity to explore different experiences and perspectives. I’m certain colleagues who attended genuinely valued the experience."

Other feedback on the day included:

"Thank you doing this today, I needed to get a bit of me back and who I am and what I stand for."

"I never even knew about the Women’s Network, but I'll definitely be joining now. What an event - thank you."

"It's so important to have spaces like this, thank you."

"The energy in the room was electric - well hosted, well supported, well done!"

A huge thank you to our Women's Network Chair, Tegan Joseph, for organising the event.

Last week also saw Switchboard Supervisor, Tracy Jones, hand out bunches of daffodils to the ladies who work in switchboard at HRI. An incredibly kind thing to do for your colleagues - we're sure it brightened their day.