Thousands of years of service: KCHFT long service stories

Newborn Hearing Screener Jenny Lynn

“I joined the NHS at 56 and expected to retire at 60. Now, at nearly 77, I am still here and still proud to contribute.”

Newborn Hearing Screener Jenny Lynn is among hundreds of Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust colleagues collecting long service awards this week. The colleagues featured here are just a few of those being recognised for thousands of years spent caring for people and improving services across Kent.

Jenny joined the NHS on Monday, 5 December 2005 after a Civil Service career and five years helping to manage a care agency. More than 20 years later, she continues to help babies receive the best possible start.

“What matters most is the difference early screening can make,” she said. “It identifies hearing loss in around one or two well babies in every 1,000, helping families receive support sooner.”

Rio Operational Lead Seema Singh

A desire to make a difference has shaped each colleague’s career. For Rio Operational Lead Seema Singh, that inspiration came from her father.

“My father served in the Indian Air Force,” she said. “He taught me the value of a profession where the greatest reward is making a difference to people’s lives.”

Seema was working as a software developer when she joined NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as a systems trainer in 2004. “Moving into the NHS was a major career and lifestyle change, but it felt like love at first sight with a profession,” she said.

Safeguarding Specialist Maureen Stephens

Since joining KCHFT in 2012, Seema has supported major digital programmes including CIS and Rio. She is particularly proud of introducing electronic consent for orthopaedic services.

“Electronic consent turned a time-consuming paper process into something completed in seconds. Whether I support a clinician or shape future developments, every improvement ultimately helps patients.”

Safeguarding Specialist Maureen Stephens is celebrating 40 years in the NHS after a career spanning night nursing, leadership and management.

“My greatest inspiration was my mum,” she said. “She came to England from Ireland in 1959 to train as a nurse and later became a respected community midwife. Her compassion and dedication inspired me to pursue nursing.”

Maureen began her training at Maidstone School of Nursing in 1986. After shadowing the Night Shared Care Service, she was inspired by the dignity offered to patients and families in their own homes. She joined the service in 1995 and worked nights for 16 years while raising her children.

Sharon Gray, Clinical Lead for Learning Disability Nursing

“I am proudest of the difference I have made,” she said. “Whether helping someone remain at home at the end of life or guiding teams through change, I have kept the individual’s voice at the heart of my work.”

For Sharon Gray, Clinical Lead for Learning Disability Nursing, a 40-year career was inspired by experiences within her own family.

“My desire to care for others was shaped by my family,” she said. “I grew up with an uncle who had learning disabilities and mental health difficulties, but he was loved and accepted for exactly who he was.”

Occupational Therapy Assistant Janine Harris

Sharon also lost her father when she was young. “During that painful time, my mother, siblings and I were nurtured by our wider family. That compassion moulded me into someone who wanted to support others.”

Sharon once gave a reading at a young child’s memorial service. “Speaking about his life and reading a poem my team and I wrote was deeply emotional and humbling. Every act of care mattered.”

Small acts of care have also defined Occupational Therapy Assistant Janine Harris’s 31 years in the NHS.

Janine cared for a woman whose family knew it would be her final Christmas. She transformed a day room into a dining room so they could share a meal and make precious memories together.

Specialist Neurodevelopmental Nurse Hollie King

“Even now, whenever her son sees me, he stops to say thank you,” she said. “His gratitude has stayed with me because it shows how one thoughtful act can mean everything to a family facing the loss of someone they love.”

For Clinical Specialist Neurodevelopmental Nurse Hollie King, the courage of the children she cares for continues to inspire her.

“One patient will always hold a special place in my heart,” she said. “Despite spending much of their life in and out of hospital, they showed extraordinary courage, resilience and determination. Their unwavering fight continues to remind me why I chose nursing.”

Hollie has worked with children for 26 years and joined the NHS 15 years ago. While balancing clinical work and family life, she completed a Children’s Community Nurse Practitioner and Independent Nurse Prescriber degree with first-class honours.

“Achieving a first proved I was capable of more than I had believed,” she said. “I am equally proud of finding the strength to care for children at the end of their lives and support their families through unimaginable circumstances.”

Assurance Manager Rebecca Vicary

Rebecca Vicary joined the NHS as a healthcare assistant 15 years ago. She gained qualifications while working and progressed from a band three to a band six role.

“When I joined KCHFT, I had very few qualifications,” she said. “I completed NVQs, a foundation degree and a degree top-up. I never imagined how far my willingness to learn would take me.”

Rebecca now specialises in medical device safety and compliance. “I am proud that this work helps protect patients and supports frontline services.”

One patient left a lasting impression on Rebecca. The two bonded over a shared love of bone china tea sets and afternoon tea. Despite living with a terminal diagnosis, the woman was determined to make special memories with the people she loved.

“She reminded me of the importance of making the most of every moment, even in the most difficult circumstances,” Rebecca said.

Some essential NHS work happens away from public view. Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Manager Jacquie Gibbons helps services prepare for emergencies and continue patient care during disruption.

Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Manager Jacquie Gibbons

“My work may happen behind the scenes, but helping colleagues stay prepared and services continue caring for patients gives it real purpose,” she said.

Jacquie has supported incident responses and taken part in multi-agency emergency exercises with Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service.

“One experience has stayed with me,” she said. “I accompanied community nurse Wendy Frances on her patient visits. Her dedication, care and compassion were a powerful reminder of the values at the heart of the NHS.”

For Denise Hylton Mcintosh, our Head of Patient Safety, listening to patients has been central to improving care throughout her NHS career.

Denise Hylton Mcintosh, Head of Patient Safety,

Denise began as a dental nurse before training as a nurse and moving into leadership. She helped launch an ambulatory care service, became a ward manager and completed a master’s degree.

“I remember a patient who joked that she would share her skincare secret if I could find her a better lunch,” Denise said. “Our conversation revealed that patients admitted after menu choices were collected had limited options. Listening to her helped us improve the arrangements. It reminded me that small details matter.”

These are just a few of the colleagues collecting long service awards this week. Their roles and career paths may be different, but each story shares the same foundation – a real commitment to helping others.