Northumbria Healthcare charity unveils new exhibition celebrating staff diversity
A brand-new exhibition featuring photographs of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust staff is on display at North Tyneside General Hospital.
The exhibition, created by photographer Ikuko Tsuchiya, aims to celebrate the diversity of Northumbria’s workforce.
This project was organised by Bright Northumbria Healthcare Charity’s healing arts programme in collaboration with the trust’s staff networks. It features staff with heritage from overseas, as well as disabled, neurodiverse, and D/deaf staff. Some staff also came forward to highlight conditions that might not normally be considered.
Ikuko is a practitioner of art-photography and teaching art, through the medium of photography she explores ways of empowering individuals and bringing awareness on dignity, humanity, and diverse lives of people.
Ross Punton is one of the staff members in the exhibition. He works in the trust’s people development team and chairs the autism staff network, having autism himself.
Ross’ display features a photograph of him at his desk and a portrait holding a wooden music box. He said: “This belonged to my grandfather, it was brought back from a school holiday to Greece by his mother.
“It has always made me feel at peace listening to its tune. It may not be of great monetary value but to me it makes me think of happier childhood times. This is why I chose to share it.”
Another member of staff who took part in the exhibition was Maria Glenda Delfin. Maria was born in the Philippines, arriving in the UK in 2002 alongside 26 other nurses who would work throughout the trust.
Maria worked at Ashington General Hospital before it was demolished, moving to Wansbeck General Hospital where she has worked in orthopaedic surgery ever since.
She said: “I originally came from Capiz, the Visayas region, which is in the seafood capital of the Philippines. This area is surrounded by beautiful beaches and not far away is the famous Boracay beach.
“My two daughters were born and raised here and went to a Catholic School; they had a good experience even though they were foreign. We have adapted well to the culture and practices and have good working relationships.
“Our efforts and contributions are well recognised and praised. So proud to be a Northumbria staff member!”
Feedback from staff members involved has been extremely positive, with one member saying: “It was an enjoyable experience being part of the exhibition, and I think it boosted morale with everyone involved.
“Ikuko has done a great job, the photographs are exceptional.
“It’s good the trust is taking time to learn more about its staff and highlight our unique backgrounds.”
Kate Thompson, Northumbria Healthcare’s executive director of people and organisational development said: “The exhibition is fantastic and a great way of celebrating the differences of our staff.
“It highlights the importance of diversity within Northumbria Healthcare, thank you Ikuko for capturing this so well.”
You can view this fantastic exhibition at North Tyneside General Hospital, along the corridor next to the x-ray department.
