Here are our two Freedom to Speak Up Guardians, Caroline Lane and Carol Gregson, pictured ahead of Speak Up Month, which takes place every October and starts tomorrow.

Caroline said: “The whole purpose of the Month is to raise awareness of Freedom to Speak Up and make speaking up business as usual for everyone.

“Our theme this year is Listen Up and we will have a strong focus on the power of listening, and the important part it plays in encouraging people to feel confident to speak up.”

Speak Up Month is an opportunity for leaders at all levels to show they are here to listen and their commitment to fostering a Speak Up, Listen Up, Follow Up culture in their team or organisation.

Caroline added: “We'd encourage everyone to come and see us on ‘Be Seen in Green Wednesdays’ outside the dining rooms of both hospitals from 11:30 to 13:30 to find out more information and to make their Listen Up Pledge. We'll be there every Wednesday through to the 30th October.

New weekly drop-in sessions start tomorrow

From this week Caroline and Carol are also launching permanent weekly drop-in sessions for colleagues to pop along and talk to them.

They'll be available every Tuesday at HRI from tomorrow, Tuesday 1st October, between 13:30 and 15:30. You will find one of them each week on the Basement Corridor - beyond the post room and changing rooms on the right-hand side.  See next week’s bulletin for details of the days and times at CRH.

Want more information?

Please contact Carol on 07442 821 120 or Caroline on 07442 802 938 if you need any advice on raising a concern.

Or you can talk to one of our workplace ambassadors. Alongside our current ambassadors, four community nurses have recently joined the Ambassador Network: Nicola Scott, Helen Sykes, Yvonne Bawn and Rachel Spence.