Good practice examples from across the North in informal, world cafe style sessions. Delegates attended two of the following:
Wellbeing4Business
Matt Holt-Rogers, Director and Consultant, Wellbeing4Business Ltd.
Matt Holt-Rogers is director of Wellbeing4Business Ltd, helping NHS Trusts and major organisations build wellbeing systems that improve workforce health, enhance performance and create a culture where people can thrive - without adding to HR’s workload. Matt works with leaders to shift wellbeing to a strategic, joined-up effort that supports both people and performance. Matt was joined by Jane Mullin, interim CPO at the Walton Centre which has benefited from working with Wellbeing4Business.
Rugby League Cares
Nav Uppal, Partnerships Manager, Rugby League Cares and Paul Wood, Health and Wellbeing Project Manager, Rugby League Cares.
Since retiring from professional rugby, Paul Wood has dedicated himself to making a meaningful impact off the field. Rugby League Cares delivers wellbeing initiatives within the NHS and other organisations. Nav Uppal is responsible for identifying and securing commercial partnerships to meet charity revenue targets and reaching out to stakeholders across the sport. Paul and Nav discussed how their work supports mental health, resilience and overall wellbeing, as well as reflecting on opportunities for working with trade union partners on health and wellbeing.
NEAS Mental Maintenance
Andy Walton, Staff Psychological Wellbeing Advisor, Brian Dodds, NEAS UNISON Branch Secretary and Vicky Wright, Head of Staff Experience, Occupational Health and Wellbeing, North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS).
NEAS Mental Maintenance aims to change the way people think about mental health and wellbeing across NEAS. It is led by Andy Walton, working closely with trade union colleagues. Andy outlined how every member of staff is now given an employee toolkit offering support and guidance, alongside a personalised toolkit which acts as a reflective journal. The importance of good mental health is covered at induction for all new starters, while manager guides and suicide prevention resources are also available.
NW wellbeing and absence policy
Sharon Lord, Health and Wellbeing Lead, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Ruth Barker, Assistant Director of People, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust and James Bull, Regional Organiser, UNISON.
Sharon, Ruth and James shared how they have worked in partnership to reimagine workplace wellness with their innovative Wellness and Attendance Management Policy. They have shifted a focus from 'minimising sickness' to 'maximising wellness', to embrace proactive care and wellbeing for all colleagues. They shared the evidence and research that fueled this bold decision, the steps they’ve taken to implement it and the insights they’ve gained along the way.
