News

Our wards and services at NLFT deliver round-the-clock care even during Christmas for service users who need care over the holiday season.

To thank colleagues working on Christmas Day some of our senior leaders a few sites to thank teams for their dedication and to witness first‑hand the warm, hopeful atmosphere created for patients.

Georgie Agass, assistant director of communications, marketing and engagement, visited St Ann’s Hospital and brought some sweet treats to our staff working at Blossom Court, while Karl Milner, director of communications, marketing and engagement, brought some festive joy to our staff at Highgate and Drayton Park.

Moriam Adekunle, Director of Nursing for Quality Governance, and Debbie May, operational director, visited Chase Farm to see staff and patients, and show gratitude to all.

Big thanks to donors and trustees of NLFT’s charity for their generous funding.

As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to recognise the incredible work our teams continue to deliver across NLMHP during the festive season.

We also want to extended heartfelt thanks to ISS staff, whose work continues to make a significant difference to service users, carers and colleagues across NLFT.

C.A.R.E. Voices Bring Christmas Carols to Older Adults’ Wards

Community mental health nurse Marek Vojcik from the Older People CMHT in Barnet, together with Clementine Fernandes, a talented young musician from the Annunciation Church in Burnt Oak, brought the spirit of Christmas to several older adults’ wards across Barnet and Chase Farm hospitals.

Together, they have formed C.A.R.E. Voices – Carollers Aiming to Reach Everyone, a small volunteer group of health and social care professionals and musicians. The group’s aim is simple yet meaningful: to reach hospital patients and care home residents through music, helping to make their Christmas more joyful and mentally and spiritually uplifting.

Their first-ever performance took place on Ken Porter Ward at the Springwell Centre, where service users began enjoying Clementine’s piano playing even before the carol service officially started. The group then visited the Older People’s Community Mental Health Team at Barnet Hospital (Springwell Centre), where they were warmly welcomed — including by psychologist Navreen Singh’s baby daughter, Meela, who appeared to thoroughly enjoy her very first Christmas carols.

The day continued at The Oaks Ward at Chase Farm Hospital, where service users and staff sang together in the lobby, a space well known for its unique acoustics. On Silver Birches Ward, which supports people living with dementia, the carols were so well received that service users asked for several favourites to be repeated.

C.A.R.E. Voices also served Carols at local care homes in Finchley, including Elmhurst Care Home, Meadowside Day Centre and Care Home, offering moments of reflection, comfort, and shared celebration of the Christmas message to both many residents and staff.

Marek said:

“We would like to thank all wards and teams who invited us to sing. We were deeply moved by the response and by how much both service users and staff valued the music and shared singing.

We are also grateful for the kind donations received, which support the continuation of this voluntary work.”