Love Your Bank Week is an annual event held during the week of Valentine’s Day, dedicated to recognising, engaging with and showing appreciation for the exceptional work of bank staff across the Trusts we support. This special week was created by Bank Partners to celebrate the passion and perseverance of those who contribute to the success of the NHS. It shines a spotlight on the vital role that bank workers play in maintaining safe staffing levels and delivering compassionate care, often in challenging circumstances. Bank staff encompass a wide range of roles, from clinical professionals to healthcare support staff, including admin, clerical, ancillary staff and even baristas in on-site coffee shops!
Love Your Bank also highlights the essential support provided by our on-site teams who work tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of staff rosters and operational matters. Their close working relationships with staff, managers and senior teams are key to creating a seamless environment where all employees feel valued and supported.
The Heart of the Healthcare Workforce
Bank staff are at the heart of the healthcare workforce. They work tirelessly to ensure that services run smoothly, providing essential care where it’s needed, 365 days a year. From nurses to healthcare assistants, the impact of their roles cannot be overstated.
They step in when needed most, often filling gaps in the staffing roster and ensuring that patient care is never compromised. Their dedication and hard work make a vital difference every day, supporting the healthcare system and providing compassionate care, helping to ensure the smooth running of all services. Without them, the healthcare workforce would not be able to meet the ever-growing demand for quality care. It’s clear: bank staff are an integral part of what makes healthcare thrive.
The History of Love Your Bank Week
Love Your Bank Week began in 2019 as a simple initiative to recognise the incredible efforts of bank staff and has since evolved into a full-fledged celebration of their contributions. The event aligns with Valentine’s Day to capture the spirit of appreciation, love and gratitude for those who provide essential care.
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What started as a recognition event grew to include efforts to raise awareness of the Bank Partners program and to show other healthcare professionals a flexible and fulfilling way to work. Love Your Bank Week serves as a time to show appreciation as well as how bank staff contribute to the quality of care and the Trusts’ success.
Why We Celebrate Bank Staff All Year – But Especially During Love Your Bank Week
While the dedication of bank staff is celebrated all year long, Love Your Bank Week gives us a special opportunity to pause and really reflect on the impact they make. It’s a time to go above and beyond in showing our appreciation for their hard work.
During this week, we shine a spotlight on staff who continuously go the extra mile, from working additional shifts to supporting colleagues in challenging times. It’s about building a sense of community and reinforcing the pride we all feel in being part of the healthcare workforce and the NHS. Many of our bank staff are healthcare heroes who are constantly delivering exceptional care, even under pressure. Their stories inspire us and remind us of the difference each individual can make.
As Diwas Kangren from Whipps Cross Hospital says, "Working at Bank Partners is truly rewarding because I get to be part of a team that makes a real difference in day-to-day operations. Whether it’s solving workforce challenges, supporting our clients, or helping professionals find fulfilling roles, the impact we make is both immediate and meaningful. Being part of a company that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence keeps me motivated and inspired."
Leah Abraha from Royal London Hospital adds, "Through working at Royal London Hospital to support the Barts Health Staff Bank, I see firsthand every team’s commitment to patient safety, the compassionate approach to all care provided, and resilient attitude to the challenges faced each day. Thank you all for making a difference every single day. Your dedication and hard work inspire me greatly."
Osean Garcia, from St Bart’s Hospital, shares, "Working for Bank Partners is truly a fulfilling role. To know that I’m contributing to patient care at a renowned institution like St Bartholomew’s Hospital, with years of history providing great care to patients. My team at Bank Partners is always willing to go that extra mile with attentiveness and support to those around them. They make Bank Partners what it is today."
How We Get Our Bank Staff Involved
We believe that getting bank staff involved and feeling a part of the celebration is key to making Love Your Bank Week feel special. To show our appreciation, we focused on simple, thoughtful gestures. Chocolates and love hearts were handed out and, in some Trusts, events were hosted with stands in hospital atriums to greet staff and distribute treats. In most Trusts, ward rounds were carried out to visit staff, exchange greetings, have a chat and offer treats, all while capturing photos to celebrate the occasion.
Throughout the week, on-site teams encourage bank staff to share personal stories and take part in sharing on social media. Bank staff feedback is crucial to showing the positive impact they have on patient care and their colleagues. Our Facebook and LinkedIn channels provide a platform for staff to engage and share their stories. It's all about creating an online celebration of their hard work and creating a deeper sense of connection within the bank staff network.
Being a Bank Staff Member
Love Your Bank Week isn’t just a chance to celebrate those who are already part of the team; it’s also an opportunity to invite others to join our Bank Partners network. For those seeking flexible work options, bank roles provide the perfect opportunity to balance work with personal commitments. Whether looking for extra shifts to supplement existing employment or seeking full-time roles with the Trust, being a bank staff member means enjoying a wide range of benefits - flexible hours, diverse working environments and the chance to provide compassionate care where it’s most needed. This week also serves as a window into the supportive and vibrant community that our bank staff are a part of. If you're looking for a role where you can make a significant difference, without the constraints of a traditional full-time job, being part of Bank Partners could be the perfect fit.
Valuing and Recognising Our Bank Staff
At its core, it’s about making sure that bank staff feel truly valued for their contributions. Recognition is crucial in making an environment where employees feel appreciated and this gives a unique opportunity for managers, peers and colleagues to express their gratitude. Whether it’s through kind words, appreciation posts or small acts of recognition, bank staff hear the thank you loud and clear.
As Beverley Watkins, Director of People at Whipps Cross, said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all of our clinical and non-clinical staff working with us here at Whipps Cross hospital, supporting us in the delivery of our services, and care to our patients.”
Celebrating the Real Heroes
Love Your Bank Week is a celebration of bank staff and the extraordinary contributions they make each day. Each year, we shine a light on the exceptional people whose hard work and commitment have made a lasting impact. Whether stepping in during a busy shift or providing exceptional care, their stories inspire everyone in the healthcare community.
Reasons to love working for a staff bank come from colleagues, managers and staff. Whether in nursing, healthcare assistance, admin or support roles, bank staff are the backbone of the healthcare system and they deserve to be celebrated for their remarkable contributions.
Social Media and Fun Activities for Love Your Bank Week
Love Your Bank Week extends beyond the walls of our healthcare facilities to social media, where we celebrate our bank staff publicly. It is not just about internal recognition, it's also shouting about their stories and showing the world how essential they are to healthcare.
On Facebook and LinkedIn, Bank Partners has shared behind-the-scenes moments, appreciation posts and quotes from staff. Social media is the perfect way to create a sense of community, celebrate the diverse roles of bank staff and encourage mutual appreciation within the team.
The Power of Appreciation – A Stronger Workforce
Regular appreciation and recognition go a long way in strengthening the workforce. When we feel valued, we're more likely to still be engaged, motivated and committed to hard work. This in turn leads to better job satisfaction, higher staff retention and a more positive work environment. By celebrating staff, we build a stronger workforce and create a culture of support and mutual respect. Love Your Bank Week is just one way to show bank staff how much they are valued and how integral they are to the healthcare system.
As we wrap up Love Your Bank Week this year, we want to say a huge thank you to all of our bank staff. Their hard work, dedication and commitment to delivering compassionate care do not go unnoticed. This week serves as a reminder of just how essential they are to Trusts around the country.
Whether you’re a current bank staff member or someone considering joining our Bank Partners community, we encourage you to join in the celebration, interact with us on social media and send your messages of thanks to the bank staff you know. Together, let’s continue to recognise the unsung heroes who make healthcare possible every day.
Know someone who would like to be a part of the Bank Partners family? Recommend a Friend and help us expand this incredible network!