48 Years at Fulbourn Hospital: Brenda Henderson’s Commitment to People and Care

Brenda Henderson oversees a team of 34 colleagues delivering cleaning services across wards at Fulbourn Hospital in Cambridge. She supports day, evening and weekend teams, works closely with ward managers and infection control, and remains on call to guide colleagues when they need advice.

On 20th February 2026, Brenda marked 48 years on the same site.

She joined in 1978 as a Domestic Cleaning Operative and spent 21 years in frontline cleaning roles before taking on a team leader position in 1999. What began as temporary cover became a long-term responsibility. Twenty-seven years later, she continues to lead from the front.

Leading Through Change

Over nearly five decades, Brenda has seen significant changes in healthcare environments and service delivery.

When she began, there were no formal audits and far less paperwork. Regulatory inspections, including those led by the Care Quality Commission, became more structured in the mid-2000s. Standards tightened. Documentation increased. Expectations rose.

Brenda adapted with the environment.

She introduced new mopping systems to reduce physical strain on colleagues, improving wellbeing. She welcomed higher cleaning standards and compliance processes. She worked closely with infection control teams to resolve issues quickly and practically.

She also retained what she believes matters most: direct, respectful communication.

Cleaning in a Complex Environment

Working in a mental health hospital requires more than technical knowledge.

Brenda ensures new starters receive structured support for two to three weeks. Training focuses not only on cleaning standards, but on safety, awareness and reading body language. Colleagues learn how to step away from situations that feel unsafe and how to work confidently in sensitive environments.

This practical approach has built a stable and committed team. Many of Brenda’s colleagues have worked alongside her for 10, 20 and even 30 years.

Each morning, several team members arrive early to prepare equipment for the wards. They do so voluntarily because, as Brenda describes it, “we are a team”.

Leadership Built on Respect

Brenda does not see leadership as a hierarchy.

She believes because you’re a manager doesn’t mean you’re better than anyone else within the team, and that the best results are achieved if you work as a team.

She is known for stepping in when colleagues are under pressure and for being available outside her working hours to advise weekend teams. Ward staff regularly contact her directly, confident that issues will be addressed quickly.

If something needs attention, she responds within minutes.

That responsiveness builds trust with customers and supports consistent standards across the hospital. It also reflects OCS’s commitment to Best Service Excellence: delivering safe, resilient and effective services in complex settings.

Empowering the Next Generation

Alongside maintaining standards on site, Brenda takes pride in spotting potential in others.

Several colleagues have joined her team in frontline roles. Over time, she recognised skills that could take them further. Rather than keeping that talent within her own operation, she spoke with colleagues across the business, highlighted their strengths, and encouraged progression.

As a result, members of her team have developed their skills, stepped into new roles, and established long-term career paths.

Most recently, one colleague progressed into an electrical engineer position. The move allowed him to develop technical expertise while remaining on the same site. They have stayed in touch and will stop by for a chat with Brenda when shifts allow.

For Brenda, this is part of leadership. Supporting colleagues to grow strengthens the wider team and builds capability across the business. It reflects the Trust, Respect and Empowerment that shape how she leads every day.

Still Looking Ahead

Brenda turns 72 this year. She still works Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, and continues focusing on supporting her team and maintaining high standards. Her goal is clear: to reach 50 years of service!

After 48 years on one site, Brenda’s story reflects more than long service. It reflects loyalty to colleagues, respect for customers, and pride in maintaining environments that support patient care.

Through her steady leadership and team-first mindset, she continues to help make people and places the best they can be.