Conference

North SPF conference 2025

Our annual conference on 4 March explored good practice and partnership working for workforce health and wellbeing in the North.

General information

Time
4 March 2025 GMT
Audience
Open to all
Event location
Kendall Street, Leeds, LS10 1JR

Speakers

  • Danny Mortimer
    Danny Mortimer
    Chief Executive NHS Employers
  • Hannah Bell
    Hannah Bell External link icon
    Executive Coach Clarity
  • Laura Flatman
    Laura Flatman External link icon
    National Programme Lead (Retention) NHS England
  • Nav Uppal
    Nav Uppal External link icon
    Partnerships Manager Rugby League Cares

Our annual North SPF conference for HR professionals and trade union colleagues in the north of England was held on 4 March in Leeds.


This year's conference focused on supporting workforce health and wellbeing, as a key pillar of delivering the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.    

The varied agenda, featuring keynote speakers, experts in the field and world cafe sessions, explored the role of partnership working in health and wellbeing, thinking about new approaches and showcasing good practice from across the region.

It offered a valuable opportunity for colleagues across the North to connect, network and share insights and learning. 

Conference chairs

The conference was be co-chaired by:

  • Charlie Carruth, Regional Organiser Yorkshire and Humberside, Unison 
  • Lesley Hodge, Deputy Chief People Officer, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust 
     

Agenda

Morning sessions

  • Time to meet colleagues and take drinks.

  • Welcome and overview of the aims and purpose of the North SPF Conference. 

    • Charlie Carruth, Regional Organiser, UNISON
    • Lesley Hodge, Deputy Director People & Culture, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
  • Scene setting for the day and reflection on the role of the SPF at national and regional level on health and wellbeing.

    • Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers (management side)
    • Helga Pile, Acting Head of Health, UNISON
  • Overview of the current health and wellbeing of our NHS people, how organisational culture and population health influences this, and how some organisations have used the NHS People Promise and evidence-based practice to drive change.

    • Eleanor Devlin, Head of Staff Experience (NW), NHS England 
    • Laura Flatman, National Programme Lead (Retention), NHS England 
  • Time to take a break and have some refreshments.

  • 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. 

  • Opportunity to take lunch and network with colleagues.

Afternoon sessions

  • Interactive session on how wellbeing and collaboration are deeply connected through the insight of science, and why your ‘NeuroGlow’ — your impact on others — can be key to improving your wellbeing and that of those around you. The workshop explored recognising, sustaining, sharing and igniting your glow, in a thought-provoking, energising and inspiring session.

    • Hannah Bell, Clarity
  • Reflections on the day and highlights of opportunities to work in partnership in local SPFs to improve employee health and wellbeing.

    • Charlie Carruth, Regional Organiser, UNISON
    • Lesley Hodge, Deputy Director People & Culture, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust