I am delighted to introduce the summer edition of Trust Talk magazine, my first as interim chief executive of the Trust.

I have always been incredibly proud to be part of the ELFT family and started my journey with the Trust as a charge nurse in forensic services in 2002. 

I have truly grown up in ELFT, and throughout the last two decades I have worked alongside fantastic colleagues, service users and carers who demonstrate our values – care, respect and inclusivity – in everything they do. 

I am writing this column with immense pride at everything ELFT represents, and a commitment to continue building progress and innovation on the foundations that make us who we are, such as people, participation, Quality Improvement (QI) and equity. 

The theme for this edition is partnerships. 

Working alongside partner organisations, service users and carers is essential in providing truly responsive and integrated care shaped around the needs of the individuals we support. 

This edition highlights some incredible partnership work which is making a real difference to people’s experience of care. 

We share details of how our incredible colleagues at Compass Wellbeing are empowering voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSOs) to support our communities across East London, Bedfordshire and Luton. 

Colleagues in Tower Hamlets discuss their integrated safety huddle and close working with partners to help service users. 

We also profile how health and social care partners are working side-by-side in Bedfordshire through the hugely positive Working Together programme. 

At its heart, all of this work demonstrates ELFT’s most valuable asset – our people. 

Thank you to every colleague, partner, service user and carer who helps make this a truly special place to work. 

I look forward to continuing our partnership and collaborative approach in further improving the care we provide. 

There is an old African saying that I subscribe to….’If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together!’