Nurses recruited from the Philippines to tackle staffing shortages in North East hospitals are marking 25 years of caring for patients in the region.
The nurses arrived in 2001 through a national drive to fill vacancies and began their NHS careers at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and University Hospital of North Tees.
Many have since raised families in Teesside while continuing to care for patients across the region.
Maria Antonette Baldonasa, known as Monette, was among the first cohort to arrive.
She said: "Being called Monette made me feel at home.
"It made me feel comfortable and relaxed, and it eased my homesickness because Monette is the nickname my parents gave me."
Ms Baldonasa is now a matron in North Tees’s critical care unit, having previously worked in Hartlepool’s department.
She described the difficulty of leaving her family behind in the Philippines.
She said: "Leaving my homeland in September 2001 was an incredibly difficult decision.
"I had to leave behind my two-and-a-half-year-old and one-year-old daughters, as well as my husband and the rest of my family.
"But when I arrived in Hartlepool, the critical care team made me feel that I was part of their family.
"They made me feel valued, supported and cared for."
She credited her colleagues with helping her settle in and thrive.
She said: "I was fortunate to work with incredible people who had so much knowledge and experience, but, more importantly, people with good hearts.
"Their support helped me achieve my goals and overcome the many challenges along the way."
Ms Baldonasa said their story shows the power of inclusion and belonging.
She said: "Our story is a reminder that when people feel welcomed, valued, respected and included, they can thrive.
"Diversity is not simply about where we come from; it is about recognising the strengths, experiences and perspectives that each person brings to our organisation."
Arlizel Estrellado, now a specialist bowel cancer screening practitioner at North Tees, also remembered the group’s first days in the UK.
She said: "We all remember first arriving in Teesside – it was dark and cold.
"We had no mobile phones back then.
"Because of the time difference back home, we would all be squeezing into a phone box at 2am trying to ring our families.
"What I remember is being so supported by everyone.
"My manager was like my mother."
Ms Estrellado planned to stay for just two years but settled in the area and raised a family.
She said: "I only signed a contract here for two years but am so settled in the area, this is now home.
"I have three children here too.
"We have embraced the culture here and people have embraced us."
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Mylene Baran, who now works in North Tees’s stroke unit, also planned to stay for just two years.
She said: "Now I have two children here.
"We visit the Philippines but my children see Teesside as their home just like I do.
"This is home.
"I love working here helping our patients and working closely with colleagues."
The nurses recently reunited to mark 25 years since they arrived.