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A special afternoon tea was held at Hinchingbrooke Hospital on Monday to celebrate a remarkable milestone for a group of Filipino nurses who have dedicated 25 years of service to caring for patients and supporting colleagues across the Trust.

The nurses first arrived in the UK in 2001 in two groups, leaving behind family and friends in the Philippines to begin a new chapter at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. Twenty-five years later, many remain valued members of the workforce, having built careers, friendships and families in the local community.

Menchie Lynn, Clinical Site Matron and one of the nurses who arrived in 2001, said: "We've had a lovely time marking our 25-year milestone together. It has been wonderful to celebrate!  

"The difficult and heart breaking moments were when we left our families behind. But we are still glad to be here and serve the community of Huntingdon and Cambridgeshire. When we first arrived in the UK, it was a real culture shock. We were picked up from the airport on a bus with no idea what was waiting ahead. The change in weather was very noticeable, and seeing snow for the first time was so exciting. We were making snow angels and everything looked beautiful.  

"There were language barriers to overcome and I remember finding English challenging because the same words could have different meanings and accents made it even harder. Coming from a busy, built up area in the Philippines, the vast countryside around was something completely new to us."

The celebratory event brought colleagues together to enjoy afternoon tea, receive long service certificates, commemorative badges and vouchers, and reflect on shared memories through a special video showcasing their journey over the past 25 years.  

Hannah Coffey, Chief Executive of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We celebrated not only the many years of service, but the countless lives that have been touched along the way and the lasting legacy that has been built.

"Our Filipino nurses have cared for patients and families with dedication, compassion and excellence through changing times. We reflected together on the courage it took to leave everything familiar behind to start a new life in the UK. This celebration is an opportunity to thank each and every one of them for their outstanding contribution to healthcare and to our Trust."  

Of the sixty nurses who joined Hinchingbrooke Hospital in 2001, twenty-nine stayed. Some have retired and others have left to work in different hospitals or moved abroad. Over the years they have not only built successful careers in the NHS but have also established roots in the local area, raising families and becoming an integral part of the community. Some of their children have even gone on to work within the Trust, continuing a legacy of care across generations.