We were excited to bring most of our team together for a day of connection and celebration. This year’s theme, It’s All About You, set the tone for a truly special event. On 7th November 2024 we gathered at The Old Bakery Studios in Truro – a cozy, quirky venue that created the perfect atmosphere for the team to relax and enjoy some well-deserved quality time together.

We began with an incredible buffet provided by Grazers which generated some lovely feedback from our team. Our MC for the afternoon was Nick Wills, Head of IT Services and Information Governance, who not only led us through the afternoon and evening, keeping us on time and well entertained, but also treated us to an inspirational presentation about all things B Corp including our recertification process and what we can all be doing to create a bigger impact. Nick also introduced those Board members who attended on the day: David Harland and Alison Williams, two of our non-executive directors; Liz Winfield, our Clinical Director and Sally Phillipps, our Director of People and Culture. Plus, we had a short video introduction to our team from Jasem Greval, our new CEO who we are thrilled to have joining us in December.

Nick encouraged participation from the audience throughout the day via Slido (accessed through interactive on screen QR codes) which gave colleagues the opportunity to say how they were feeling, ask any questions and even nominate someone from the team who they feel goes above and beyond.

Our Director of People and Culture, Sally Phillipps gave us an insight into what we have achieved over the past 12 months as well as our aims for the future. We then heard from our Shareholder Impact Board (SIB) Chair, Nicola Wood who introduced each of our SIB representatives and shared the importance of being part of an employee-owned organisation.

Our team was then treated to an amazing presentation from Prof. Claire Stevens CBE who gave an honest and insightful talk into her own career journey and mental health struggles which really resonated with our teams. And finally, we heard from Millie Ewing, from our Charity of the Year, St Petrocs, who discussed the incredible work the charity is doing to end homelessness in Cornwall. Colleagues were so inspired that a few of our team signed up to take part in the Eden Sleep out 2024 to raise further funds for the charity.

Located in one of the beautifully decorated rooms at the Old Bakery was our ‘Marketplace’ which was full of some fantastic exhibition stands. This included St Petrocs who provided more in-depth information about homelessness in Cornwall along with other ways we can support their fundraising. Colgate who shared recommendations to our clinical teams and Healthy Cornwall inspiring us to lead more active and healthy lives. Our Impact Action Group put together an engaging exhibition of all the achievements to date, showing us where our funds go and how we benefit the community around us, whilst our Shareholder Impact Board used their stand as an opportunity to celebrate employee-ownership. There was also a stand launching Mind Ninja’s Mind Flossing Toolkit hosted by our Practice Managers for colleagues to see how they can use the toolkits in practice and to positively impact their mental health. Curaprox, who couldn’t attend on the day, also kindly sent us goody bags which included some very colourful oral care essentials.

Throughout the afternoon and evening we held a fundraising raffle which included a £50 St Austell Brewery voucher and a deluxe hamper of  goodies from The Lost Gardens of Heligan contributed by the Board; two tickets to an event at The Old Bakery Studios kindly donated by the venue; a Russell Hobbs 3 Tier Steamer; A bottle of M&S Prosecco; A Sonos speaker and an Oral B electric toothbrush donated by Henry Schein.

Tombola prizes had been very generously contributed by Smile Together colleagues and a range of their partners and friends including JJ Whitley Pink Chery Gin, Yankee Candles, Baylis and Harding Goodies, St Eval Candles, and Opie Fruit in Liquor.

Thanks to the generosity of our team, we raised £386.50 for St Petrocs to aid them on their journey and to support them through their Winter Appeal.

The Smile (Get) Together concluded with a lovely evening meal provide by The Mindful Menu as well as a fun photo booth and a quiz hosted by one of our team members.

This year’s Smile (Get) Together was an amazing success, leaving everyone filled with positivity and inspiration, great connections, delicious food, and plenty of fun. A big thanks to our marketing team for organising the whole event, to all those who supported them, to everyone who joined us and especially to those colleagues who remained behind to continue providing our much-valued patient care.

Photos by Thomas Norris

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