Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC) and Sheffield Hallam University are today co-hosting a celebratory gala at Sheffield Hallam’s Collegiate Campus for hundreds of health and social care professionals and students to mark the NHS’s 75th birthday.
The milestone will be celebrated with an afternoon of wellbeing activities including: art workshops, therapy dog sessions, yoga classes, mindful gardening, therapeutic crafting, badminton and much more!
The event will also feature virtual reality demonstrations, exhibition stands, Sheffield Hallam facility tours and talks from University and SHSC leaders.
Sharon Mays, Chair of SHSC, said: “5 July 2023 marks 75 years of the National Health Service. The NHS treats over a million people a day in England and touches all of our lives. When it was founded in 1948, the NHS was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery. It is truly unique and treasured by so many.
“In Sheffield we are celebrating in many ways. Today we’ve joined forces with Sheffield Hallam University who play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of nurses, allied health professionals and many more. Together we will be celebrating 75 years of the NHS by concentrating on wellbeing. The wellbeing of NHS staff is key to ensuring we have a happy, healthy and fulfilled workforce, which in turn leads to better outcomes and experiences for service users.
“I want to say a huge thank you to our NHS staff. You are the heart of the NHS. Thank you for your hard work, commitment, dedication, and everything you do every day for those we support. Happy 75th birthday.”
The event is just one element of the wider celebrations happening across the trust which include;
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A delegation of staff attending a service at Westminster Abbey
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Key NHS buildings being lit up blue at dusk in Sheffield
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A specially commissioned poem by Sheffield Poet laureate, Danaé Wellington
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Local celebrity messages wishing NHS staff a happy birthday
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A parkrun takeover on Saturday 8 July and Sunday 9 July
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A great big staff giveaway
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The creation of collaborative artwork with staff and service users working together to create a special art piece for the birthday.
Sheffield staff at Westminster Abbey service
Staff members from SHSC will join their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, senior government and political leaders, health leaders and celebrities at a service at Westminster Abbey. The service, to be held at 11am, will include an address by NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard.
Sheffield lights up blue for the NHS
Across the country, buildings will be lighting up blue to mark the 75th birthday of the NHS. The Michael Carlisle Centre and Netherthorpe House will be joined by Sheffield Town Hall in lighting up blue this evening.
Poem commission by Sheffield poet laureate
One of the highlights of the activity for ‘NHS 75’ has been commissioning the Poet Laureate for Sheffield, Danaé Wellington, to write a bespoke poem that honours the NHS for all it does. Danaé has worked with service users and staff to capture the feelings of the NHS specially for its birthday.