“I’m a Facilities Operative at Scarborough Hospital where I have worked for just over a year. I never knew how much I could learn in such a short time - and it’s gone so quick.

“As a facilities operative I am involved in a many aspects of hospital life - from laundry, cleaning, portering, to waste management.  The thing I love about my job is the versatility of it and since I love change this is the perfect job for me.  No two days are the same and being trained in different departments really mixes it up.  The best part of the job is being involved with the patients, so unsurprisingly my favourite department is portering because it’s very patient based.

“For many years I worked in retail environments but a deeply personal and sad experience a year and a half ago made me realise that I needed to work with patients.  As soon as I came into contact with the hospital I knew this was for me.  I wanted interaction, involvement and to be able to contribute towards providing a positive and caring environment for every single patient.

“Watching someone come in hospital that needs the care we offer and being able to provide that - and to make that patient smile with a kind word and a joke - and then see them get better and go home to their families is the most rewarding feeling ever.

“The NHS to me means hope. It provides a fantastic and vital service to the country and gives people the hope, knowledge and support that whatever the problem or illness we can deal with it and do our upmost to provide the best service we can for that patient.”