• Long serving staff celebrated for 25 and 40 years of dedication to Bolton NHS
• More than 1,300 years of service between the awards attendees
• Alison Bottomley began her Midwifery career over 40 years ago and shares her memories

Staff who have dedicated decades of their lives to providing care to Bolton’s communities have been celebrated at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s Long Service Awards 2025.

A special thank you ceremony at the Bolton Arena saw dozens of staff come together to recognize their contributions in the NHS.

The Long Service Awards honours Bolton NHS staff who have completed an incredible 25 and 40 years.

The event started with a trip down memory lane to look back at what was happening in the world in 1984/1985 and 1999/2000, with key moments including Live Aid and the Y2K computer bug.

James Mawrey, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief People Officer, said:

It’s amazing to think about the amount of patients whose lives have been touched by the dedication, compassion and service of our staff when they really need help.

“We have 6,500 staff working across our organisation in so many different roles, from People Development to nursing, and people in the room will have worked in different parts of the NHS during their career.

“Every single person delivers patient care wherever they work, whether it’s digital, HR, iFM, they are all so important to the NHS and I want to say a huge thank you.

Between those receiving their long service awards this year, staff have completed a remarkable 1,300 years between them.

Alison Bottomley is a Midwife at the Princess Anne Maternity Unit and is celebrating her NHS career of over 40 years:

I have certainly seen many changes within the NHS since I started, it interesting to see how advances in technology, change in organisational systems and commissioning have had an impact on nursing and midwifery.

“However, essentially the art and science of nursing and midwifery, remains the same, this is evident as past models of service delivery are reintroduced, albeit in modified formats.

Sharing positive life experiences with clients in both happy and sad times, health care is often provided at the most challenging of times, when clients find themselves at their most vulnerable and it has been an honour and privilege to advocate for clients at these times and step up to have courageous conversations when required.

“Working in community settings for the past twenty plus years I have been fortunate to be able to offer some evidence based interventions, addressing some of these health inequalities within our population and consistently advocate the importance of humanity and equity in healthcare provision.

Faruk Ali is celebrating 25 years of being the Muslim Chaplain at Bolton, but his life at the hospital started much earlier. Faruk started volunteering as a Muslim Chaplain at the Royal Infirmary and General in 1987, after receiving a letter from the Christian Chaplain at the time.

I was an Imam in Bolton and a letter came to my mosque from the hospital that outlined plans to start a multi-faith chaplaincy. I wasn’t familiar with the word ‘chaplain’ as the terminology doesn’t exist within Islam. So we looked it up in the dictionary and quickly understood what work they were looking for.

It was something very new for me, I didn’t know where to start. I spent time shadowing the Christian Chaplain and formed my own work from there. I began to understand the needs of Muslim patients and what I could do to make sure they are supported in hospital.

“On visiting ward rounds I spoke to Muslim patients, who really appreciated what we were doing. Many of them want a prayer from the Imam when they’re poorly.

Faruk has been instrumental in driving change in the hospital for Muslim staff, patients and visitors. He worked with hospital directors to ensure the hospital had authenticated halal food and facilitated the early release of bodies when someone passes away to ensure timely burial, which is integral to Islam.

Faruk also submitted a bid for a separate Muslim prayer area and washing facility.

There have been massive changes over the years and I have learned so much in the 38 years I have been working in the NHS in Bolton. Everything has enhanced and patients are much more aware of the Chaplaincy support we have in place. I love what I do and still appreciate the work every day.

For opportunities to join the NHS in Bolton, visit the Trust’s career page.