Connecting with our communities, partners and people – Trust holds annual connecting people celebration event

Celebrating the diverse and reflective voice of our communities and the people we serve was the aim of our recent annual connecting people event.  The session, held at Fieldhead, raised awareness and celebrated the achievements from our connecting people programme over the past year. Our community connectors act as an advocate on behalf of their communities, to amplify their voices by having a say in how aspects of our services are designed and delivered across the Trust and ensuring our approaches are reflective of the people we aim to reach. 

The event was opened by Chief Executive Mark Brooks and Chair Marie Burnham, who also presented our 8 newly trained connectors with their certificates. There were opportunities to hear about the significant contributions and impact made by our 124 connectors, network with colleagues and partner organisations, learn more about the programme and how to sign up and share feedback and views on experiences working with the Trust. 

There was also the chance to learn more about new opportunities and programmes within the Trust for the coming year for connectors to get involved with, including Young Connectors, PCREF, Culture of Care and quality walkarounds. 

The day was closed with a powerful poem by Martyn Haymonds from connector partner Serendipity Creative Writers, to summarise the event and highlight the importance of the programme and the value it brings by connecting our communities together.

Thank you to everyone who attended the event and for all your efforts and commitment to supporting yet another fantastic year of growth for the connecting people programme. 

If you are interested in becoming a community connector, view our 2026 training dates on the website.