This weekend saw the annual Pride in London parade, a celebration of diverse culture in London. In our latest NELFT talks blog, Carolyn Doyle reflects on the wonderful colourful life the NHS encompasses.

This week I was lucky enough to be invited to talk with a group of non-executive directors from trusts across the country as part of NHS Improvement and NHS England's Aspirant Chairs Programme. As well as an opportunity to support colleagues across the NHS who would like to become chairs in the future, it was also a chance to reflect on my own journey.

September 1999 saw Nicola Ellsmore join the NHS as a trainee physiotherapist. Now, almost 20 years on and working as a stroke and neurology manager, Nicola gives us an insight into a day in the life of her role and why she chose this career.

This year sees the learning disability branch of nursing celebrate 100 years. As we celebrate this milestone Stephanie Dawe, our chief nurse, talks about the importance of maintaining this workforce through student placements, as well as applauding and showing our own appreciation to all learning disability nurses currently working within NELFT.

In our recent NELFT Talks blog Dr Ranjot Bhogal, a chartered clinical psychologist working with our Redbridge Talking Therapies service, shares her story of her families' experiences with mental illness. Dr Bhogal also shares her views on the similarities and differences in the presentation of mental ill-health within the Eastern and Western communities.