It is so important that we look after each other. Moving to a new job in a new location can be lonely and overwhelming, particularly in a stressful career such as medicine, as I have personally experienced. To combat such feelings, Scarborough mess holds an annual beach barbecue welcome party for new doctors at Scarborough Hospital.

This is particularly targeted at foundation year 1 doctors, who may have been randomly allocated to Scarborough Hospital without knowing anyone in the area. After their induction, they are invited down to the beach to share food (with vegan and halal options), ask questions and make friends. I believe first impressions matter, and having a beach party sets the tone for a great year.

This event speaks to the ethos that Scarborough mess is trying to build. We want everybody to feel welcomed and supported at work. Throughout the year we hold a varied programme of activities – meals, nights out, walks, a joint ball with York and Hull, sports activities, theatre trips, a community iftar meal during Ramadan – to ensure there is something for everyone.

We moderate successful WhatsApp groups – one reserved for F1-SpR (or equivalent) doctors, and one for all doctors in the hospital. We promote awareness of the resident doctor forum and BMA local negotiating committee  reps to ensure people can access the support they need. Recently, we hosted a successful joint meal between Scarborough Hospital consultants and specialist, associate specialist and specialty doctors and local GPs – reviving lost links between primary and secondary care.

In addition, we have worked hard over the last few years to improve the mess environment. We have introduced calm and cheerful decorations into our resident doctor lounge, consultant/SAS lounge, kitchen, study and quiet room – and we redecorate the mess for Christmas and Eid each year. In our resident doctor lounge we have a library of fiction and non-fiction books that people can borrow.

We also encourage people to add a pin to our UK and world map, to allow us to learn about the diverse backgrounds of our colleagues. (We also promote an annual beach celebration, organised by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust during cultural awareness week – complete with music, dancing and food from diverse cultures). We have introduced a bed in the mess quiet room, to allow people to rest before driving home from a night shift.

Of course, the last few years have also involved challenges. We are still in discussions with the trust about how to improve the mess and ensure that regular refreshments are provided (currently committee members purchase supplies from a local supermarket). It can be difficult balancing (unpaid) mess committee responsibilities with other responsibilities. Additionally, there has sometimes been limited engagement in events owing to doctors’ busy working schedules.

However, I have found it a great privilege to lead the mess through a period of change, and it has been moving to hear how the mess has helped people through difficult times. I want to end by sincerely thanking those who have supported Scarborough mess, particularly mess committee members. I would encourage everyone to get involved and I look forward to seeing what the future holds

Sonya Bushell is a core trainee 1 locally employed and bank doctor in Scarborough, working predominantly in palliative care and president of the Scarborough Hospital mess committee

From its founding days under Hester Baverstock to the leadership of Alice Tebboth, the York doctors’ mess has grown into much more than a common room — it’s become a hub of community, wellbeing, and support for doctors at York Hospital. At its heart lies the main intention of treating everyone like family, accommodating everyone experiencing different walks of life.

As one of the largest district general hospitals, York can feel daunting for new starters. That’s why the mess team has worked hard to create a welcoming environment that celebrates unity, diversity, and inclusion.

At the heart of this effort lies a dedicated group of reps who pour energy into organising events that bring colleagues together outside of clinical work. The events are organised based on interests and demands, after which a lot of research goes into costs and logistics. The aim is to ensure the event is free or heavily subsidised for mess members.

We continuously gather feedback from doctors and monitor which days are ideal for organising; days which don’t clash with individual plans. This allows us to focus on popular activities, convenient locations and York-specific attractions – showcasing the true Yorkshire spirit.

Moreover, tasks are delegated to improve efficiency. For instance, a lot of sports and socials are managed by me and Bilal Ahmad, who actively engage in football, cricket and badminton respectively.

Not only this, but our focus is also to provide opportunities to attend events that may not be possible owing to busy work schedules. This underpins our aim while organising frequent events.

Social events have ranged from bowling, laser tag, and go-karting to the always-popular pizza parties, pub quizzes and payday socials. Demand keeps growing — and so do the events, with collaborations even extending to friendly matches and meet-ups with colleagues in Hull.

The annual summer ball is a highlight of the year, alongside York-specific events like the city river cruise, which showcase what the area has to offer. Such large-scale events require the whole team with oversight from Rebecca Turp, Hess and Alice.

Often booking a venue is hard but nothing is impossible for them. They work tirelessly to negotiate prices, prebook events and consider venues giving experiences of a lifetime. Behind the scenes, the mess’s social media team including Talitha Trynka-Das, Gunjan Khandelwal and Raghd Jibreel ensures nobody misses out, creating eye-catching posters and updates to keep doctors connected.

They are all maestros in their field who choose the right designs and colours to attract a large audience. These are posted across multiple channels, WhatsApp groups, Instagram and sometimes direct messages. Our first hike is happening soon this year, organised by Ronit Hardasani, our newest committee member.

While activities are varied, the effect is consistent: new doctors feel part of a community from the start and lasting friendships are formed, which translate into stronger teamwork on the wards. It’s no surprise other trusts often reach out to learn from the York approach.

Having said that, our roles extend into handling conflicts, issues and even minor repairs. Be it escalating safety issues, advising colleagues regarding appropriate channels or even as simple as repairing a fan, we have got it all.

As Alice, the current chair, explains: ‘Our aim has always been simple — to make sure no doctor feels alone. The socials and sports are fun, but what they really do is build the camaraderie that makes working here so special.’

The York doctors’ mess continues to grow thanks to the efforts of its reps past and present — from Hess’s founding vision to today’s thriving calendar. Together, they’ve shown how a focus on community can transform the experience of working in a busy hospital. Times may change in the future. However, together we aim to ensure the warmth and comfort brought through the mess remains strong for times immemorial.

Nitish Trikha is a foundation year 3 in cardiology and the secretary of the York doctors' mess committee