One of the nation’s most-loved institutions, the National Health Service, will be turning 70 on 5 July 2018.  To mark the occasion Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust will be organising and taking part in a series of birthday inspired events.

The Care Trust will join other healthcare organisations across the country to take part in national birthday celebrations and to thank the extraordinary staff who have helped transform the health and wellbeing of the nation.

In the week the NHS turns 70, the Care Trust will be hosting its annual You’re a Star Awards, on the 6 July 2018.  The birthday themed evening will recognise the achievements of Care Trust staff and volunteers, the everyday heroes, that have gone the extra mile to support local communities.

Staff, patients and their families have also been invited to raise a cuppa to toast the occasion at the Four Seasons Café at Lynfield Mount Hospital, which will open its doors to host an NHS Big 7Tea party.  All profits from the sale of cakes and drinks will go to charity. The event, taking place on the landmark anniversary, will also coincide with a special celebration at the café, which offers patients and their families a non-clinical space to spend quality time together, out of the ward environment.

Annette Whomack-Brown, an activity coordinator at Lynfield Mount Hospital, who has also been nominated for a Care Trust You’re a Star Award, was behind the innovative idea to open the café at the hospital.  Commenting on the Big 7Tea party, Annette said: “It’s great to be able to celebrate the NHS birthday with staff, patients and families – and what better way to celebrate than with a cup of tea and birthday cake.”

Other activities organised on the day of the landmark anniversary include a crochet and cake morning at the Care Trust’s Carers Hub at Horton Park Centre, Bradford, giving carers the opportunity to meet, recharge their batteries and share their experience of the NHS and a charity tea and cake event at St Andrew’s church hall organised by the Care Trust’s speech and language therapists and podiatrists.

To help mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS, two members of staff, Catherine Jowitt, Volunteer Lead, and Sally Turner, Carers Lead have put on their running shoes to take part in a NHS70 parkrun at Lister Park, Bradford on Saturday 9 June.  This follows NHS England teaming up with parkrun UK to host ‘NHS70 parkrun days’.  Parkruns are free, 5k events that take place in many locations across the UK every Saturday morning. With support from local NHS bodies, local parkruns will give their regular events a special NHS theme for the day with NHS staff, patients and the wider public being encouraged to attend. Over 200 parkruns signed up to be part of the NHS70 parkrun day.

Over the last seven decades the NHS has helped transform the health and wellbeing of the nation and is notably a national treasure.  To celebrate the achievements of the national institution, the Care Trust’s volunteer team will be hosting a NHS Big 7Tea party and volunteer celebration event, on the 21 June at the Victoria Hotel, Bradford, to thank dedicated volunteer community health champions that lead a range of interesting, sociable activities in the community, from hosting walking groups to forming singing groups. At the event attendees will get together for a cuppa and share their stories of the NHS.

Liz Romaniak, Interim Chief Executive said: “The NHS turning 70 is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this world-renowned institution, our dedicated staff and committed volunteers and to reflect 70 years of the NHS helping to support people with their health and wellbeing.   We are delighted to have planned a number of Trust events to celebrate the landmark anniversary and to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Care Trust staff and volunteers, the everyday heroes that make a difference to the people they support.”