Award For West London Mental Health Employee

Maggie Morgan Valentine gets national recognition

West London Mental Health NHS Trust's diversity lead, Maggie Morgan Valentine, has received national recognition for her work in connecting with diverse communities in west London.

Maggie who has worked at the trust for ten years, as diversity consultant, has been named a personal, fair and diverse champion award winner by NHS Employers. Maggie received her award from Professor Carol Baxter CBE, who is their head of equality, diversity and human rights.

Professor Baxter says: “Maggie’s award is recognition of the innovative work she’s done at West London Mental Health Trust over the years to reduce inequalities for staff and people using mental health services. Among her major contributions are a mentoring scheme for black and minority ethnic staff, the production of guidance on caring for the needs of transgender service users and co-production of a film to educate colleagues about the specific needs of transgender patients who use mental health services.  

“Maggie’s award is also a reflection of the good work she has done in supporting a black and minority ethnic network for staff working at the trust. Network members meet regularly and run events to mark Black History Month as an example. Maggie has also led on the development of a befriending scheme used by staff who face conflict at work.

”She has helped the trust reach out to Tamil and Sikh communities in the local area where people have traditionally struggled to engage with mental health services.”

Steve Shrubb, Chief Executive of West London Mental Health NHS Trust says: “Maggie is passionate about her job, and lives our values of togetherness, responsibility, excellence and caring in everything she does. She works hard to ensure that as an organisation we benefit from the diverse talents of our multi cultural staff. She also works tirelessly to bring the issues faced by minority groups to the fore at the trust reminding us all of our responsibility to treat others with respect and fairly.”

Maggie Morgan Valentine says: “I’m truly delighted and surprised to have won this award for doing a job which I love. I’d like to thank colleagues who nominated me and for all who support me in the work I do at the trust.”

June 29, 2013