Merseyrail employee celebrates 53 years of dedicated service

MERSEYRAIL'S longest serving member of staff has been recognised at a special awards ceremony after clocking up an astonishing 53 years at the rail company.

David Hunter, now aged 77, began working on the local train network in 1970 just 1 year after steam trains were phased out of service. And the on-board cleaner, who still works part-time on the network, heads a list of incredible long-serving staff on Merseyrail.

4 other colleagues have worked for the company for more than 45 years, while a further nine have worked for more than 40 years. Many roles are included in the long service list; drivers, station retailers, station assistants, HR support, control centre staff, train managers, and cleaners.

At an awards night honouring David and other Merseyrail colleagues, the company celebrated the dedication of 50 staff who collectively have an incredible 1682 years of service between them.

Throughout David's 53 years of work he has been known as a real gentleman, popular with all colleagues and the management team. He has a vibrant and infectious personality, always keeping his colleagues entertained with stories and anecdotes of his life.

David said:- "I was 22 years old when I started on the railway. I started working at Meols Cop near Southport and became a porter guard. From there I progressed to become a station guard and worked at Liverpool Exchange until it closed in 1977 before moving up to Kirkdale Station. I have been working as an on board cleaner now for about seven years. I really enjoy it and I've got no plans to retire anytime soon. I'm really happy in my work; when I started I thought I would only last six months!"

In his time at Merseyrail he has seen the network transformed with the huge remodelling of the underground system completed in the 1970s, the introduction of the Class 507 and 508 trains, and now the roll out of the brand-new Class 777 trains.

Neil Grabham, Managing Director of Merseyrail said:- "I'm so very proud to be able to acknowledge and recognise the service of these dedicated staff to not just Merseyrail but the rail industry as a whole. It's staggering to think that 50 of our longest serving staff have a combined total of 1682 years of work in the rail industry; that's definitely something that deserves recognition. David's contribution to the success of Merseyrail cannot be understated. He is a Merseyrail legend and someone we consider lucky to have as a part of our team. I want to say thank you to David and also to all of the colleagues we recognised for their years of dedicated service."

Mersey Care launch ‘Living with Dementia' campaign to inform those scared of diagnosis

A new campaign aims to inform Merseyside residents about what life is really like:- ‘Living with Dementia' and try and persuade those affected to ask for an early memory assessment.

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest mental and physical community health Trusts in the country, has an established older people's service based at Leigh Moss Hospital in Liverpool and is concerned that general lack of knowledge about dementia may cause anxiety and a reluctance for people to speak to their GP.

Dr Sarah Butchard, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Mersey Care's older people's services, said:- "We understand that receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be really difficult for people and if you notice that your memory is starting to change it's really natural to not want to face that. What we do know is the earlier you get a diagnosis, the more support there is and the more likely you are able to live well with it. If you're having problems with your memory we'd advise you see your GP as soon as you can and ask for a memory assessment. There's a stigma within society around dementia and people are frightened but we work with lots of people who are living with dementia who have a really good quality of life. We often see people imagining they are not going to be able to do anything for themselves, that it only affects older people and that it's the end of their life, but in reality there's a lot of life still to live."

As part of the campaign, Mersey Care has re-launched memory cards (see below) and released two videos, with Dr Butchard and service user Tommy Dunne BEM, who was diagnosed with Dementia in 2012, remains a keen golfer and works closely with patient groups to ensure those newly diagnosed don't regard it as the end of their lives.

"Working with Mersey Care gave me my life back and gave me hope. I had no hope and they showed me that people living with dementia can live well, given the right opportunities. There was an immense feeling of empowerment. You can do things, so don't sit in that chair, get out because it's not the end of your life. The service is as important to me as family, and family is the most important thing in the world to me. We've got people we trust and people who trust us. When I'm with them I don't feel like I've got dementia. I'm Tommy first and I've got dementia; it's not dementia that has got me. Getting assessed early is 1 of the most important things you can do and one of the best decisions you'll ever make in your life. The best way for people to learn about dementia is to talk to people who have dementia, like me, my friends, my fellow peers because they are the only people who can really tell you what it's like to actually live with dementia. We're the only people who can take away the fear of dementia." said Tommy.

Mersey Care has also relaunched their successful:- ‘Memory Cards' which are available at shops, supermarkets, and other local venues, and encourages people to ask their GP for a memory assessment. The cards and both videos are available via Mersey Care's website.

For further information please contact: Myles Hodgson, Media Manager on:- Myles.Hodgson@MerseyCare.NHS.UK or Communications on:- 0151 471 2336 or Communications@MerseyCare.NHS.UK.