Today marks the first day of Newcastle Hospital’s Thank you Month, which will run between the 1 – 30 September 2022.
The month is about celebrating and thanking all of our staff and volunteers from across the Trust for their hard work and dedication. It will also provide colleagues with the opportunity to thank and celebrate each other. We want to encourage everyone across Newcastle Hospitals to pause for a moment and step back from the day-to-day bustle to think about everything they do do.
Throughout September, staff will be able to access thank you cards, a new electronic tool called ‘Hive’ and some cake and other treats that can be shared together. We are also encouraging teams to think about their own ways to make this month special. There are so many ways to say thank you whether that’s making someone a quick cuppa, or sending a message of thanks to a colleague.
Here’s just a few of the highlights to look out for over the coming weeks:
The Great Newcastle Hospitals Bake Off
The Great Newcastle Hospitals Bake Off is a light-hearted way of bringing teams together to appreciate each other and enjoy a slice or two of good cake.
Staff are asked to simply set a date and venue with their team between the 1st and 26th September to take part in the bake off. You can judge your bakes using the score card here and team winners will be awarded a much-coveted Newcastle Hospitals Bake Off wooden spoon.
All team winners are also invited to submit their entries into the grand final to crown the Newcastle Hospitals Bake Off Champion 2022.
Staff can access the full guide on how the bake off will work here
Launching HIVE
Over the coming weeks, our brand-new staff engagement platform Hive will be launching across the Trust, beginning with the launch of HiFives.
HiFives are a quick, easy and instant recognition tool for colleagues, whether you want to say thank you, or just show your appreciation, they’re a perfect way to put a smile on someone’s face. Our Staff Engagement team are also giving away five Hive Hampers at the end of the first launch month, one for each of the Trust Values – so if you’ve been lucky to receive a HiFive, you’re in with a chance to win an amazing hamper.
People at our Heart Awards
We will be hosting our first People at our Heart Awards since before the pandemic.
The “People at our Heart Awards” is our staff & volunteer recognition scheme that enables patients, relatives, colleagues and the public, to express their gratitude and provide recognition for the outstanding efforts of our staff and volunteers.
It’s an opportunity for us to think about the achievements our colleagues and teams have made and recognise the difference they make.
Great North 5k
The NHS Blue Wave is returning this year at the Great North Run 5K on Friday 9 September, kicking off the Great North Run weekend. It’s a run available to everyone and an opportunity for us all to celebrate being part of the wonderful NHS. We have very limited spaces remaining to join our 2022 5K team. Sign up here before 7 September to secure a last minute place, and help support Newcastle Hospitals Charity.
Fruity Friday – 16 Sept
Thanks to support from Newcastle Hospitals Charity, we are offering all of our staff a free piece of fruit at the following points:
- RVI and Freeman Hospitals next to the fruit stalls. Staff simply need to show their lanyard to claim a free portion of fruit
Fruit baskets will be delivered to the following sites for staff to distribute:
- Regent Point, Gosforth
- Campus for Ageing and Vitality
- Centre for life
- The Lumen
- Geoffrey Rhodes Centre (for onward circulation to community teams)
- Northern Centre for Cancer Care Carlisle and Whitehaven sites
Treat yourself (cakes and ice creams) – 23 Sept
Thanks to support from Newcastle Hospitals Charity, ice cream vans will be located at the following places on Friday 23 Sept, simply show your NHS badge to claim your free ice cream:
- RVI: 10am – 5pm
- Freeman: 10am – 5pm
- Regent Point: 10am – 12pm
- Campus for Aging and Vitality: 12.30pm – 2pm
For some of our teams who are unable to get to these sites a selection of cupcakes and muffins will be available for colleagues in the community and at our sites in Cumbria.
Volunteer’s event
We will be celebrating the fantastic contribution our volunteers make across our Trust every day with a special event on 28 September. Here we will think about some of the work they do and also recognise the dedication of some of our longest serving volunteers.
Celebrating Excellence Awards
Our Thank you month will culminate with our gala ‘Celebrating Excellence’ Awards, where we will bring all our shortlisted teams together for a gala evening.