Pictured: Employee of the Month for August Tracey Smith (left) receives her award from Chief Executive Kevin McGee
Tracey Smith wants to get people talking and yet the chatty Deputy Booking Manager was left speechless this month when she was awarded ELHT's Employee of the Month award in recognition of her efforts to tackle social isolation.
Visiting a local coffee shop during her annual leave, Tracey noticed there were a lot of customers sat alone and struck up several conversations which highlighted how lonely some people are on a day-to-day basis.
That evening Tracey went on social media to express what had happened and, as a result, was inspired to create a Facebook group called The Natter Shack Scheme.
“Natter Shack is a collection of coffee bars – mostly in Burnley and Pendle– who have come together to host a weekly drop-in for local people looking to meet new friends and increase their social interaction,” explains Tracey.
“Those who attend regularly say this has drastically improved their mental wellbeing and improved their social life.”
On the first Sunday of every month Tracey hosts an afternoon tea dance that welcomes over 100 people from our local community which helps people socialise on a day where people feel at their loneliest. An over 55’s disco is also in the pipeline for November called ‘Boogie Wonderland’ to encourage the older generation to step out on a Saturday afternoon for a dance at a nightclub in Burnley.
Tracey’s passion for the Natter Shack has been boosted within the trust with the Communications, HR and Catering Teams offering their support. Her commitment to Natter Shack has seen it grow from strength to strength and persuaded Tracey’s colleagues Elaine Eyre and Jackie Simm to nominate her for the Employee of the Month award.
Natter Shack has spread like wildfire with GP practices, Home Start, Calico Housing and community mental health teams among others now fully supporting Natter Shack and recommending the scheme to their service users.
“The response has been overwhelming - there are now 20 cafes across Burnley, Pendle and further afield taking part and allowing their premises to be used for Natter Shack drop-ins. And the Head of Catering at ELHT (Tim Radcliff) has agreed to launch ‘Natter’ tables for visitors, patients and staff alike.”
Tracey, who has worked at East Lancashire Hospitals for 31 years, is now on the shortlist for the ELHT ‘Employee of the Year’ award to be presented at the Trust’s STAR Awards ceremony in spring 2020.
