As care professionals, we often put the needs of others over our own, but for us to continue to help our patients, family members and colleagues; we have to look after ourselves.
This is why we put our colleagues’ wellbeing at the forefront of our agenda. We have a dedicated lead who oversees colleagues’ health and wellbeing concerns, and we have a comprehensive package of support to ensure that no matter what, our colleagues know where to turn when they need help.
Here are some of the ways that we support our colleagues to ensure that their mental health and wellbeing is prioritised:
Validium Employee Assistance Programme
Whether issues are work-related or personal, Validium offers a compassionate service that includes:
- Telephone support or ad-hoc counselling available 24/7
- Sessions of structured phone or video-call counselling support, for any matter which is affecting your mental health.
- Debt Management Support.
- Legal information as to your rights and options on any matter relating to family, motoring, consumer or tenancy law.
They also offer support to managers via the Manager Support Line and are a sounding board to help managers understand the different referral options available for team members, or help them identify when one of their colleagues is struggling.
COPE Employee Health Hub
The Employee Health Hub is a 24/7 web-based information portal for all staff to access offering information and support from anywhere at any time to support you to stay well including:
- A Lifestyle and Fitness Tool
- A directory of websites that may assist you or your family with health and general wellbeing
- Access to an online library of health and wellbeing resources
- Monthly updates around key health topics
Staff Support and Quiet Rooms throughout bases
We have support and quiet rooms across our sites and bases so staff can take time to rest, reflect and recover. The staff support rooms are manned at certain times so there is someone to talk to if needed.
Virtual support
There is 'virtual' staff support for colleagues who are working from home or who would prefer to speak to someone by phone or Microsoft Teams
Rapid Access to Mental Health Services for staff experiencing acute distress
Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust is working in partnership with CityCare to provide confidential and rapid 24/7 access to support services for staff experiencing acute distress linked to COVID -19.
Virtual health and wellbeing sessions
We run several sessions supporting staff with Long COVID, Yoga and Pilates, meditation sessions, nutrition support and other sessions that support our staff. These are open sessions for staff to learn skills such as relaxation techniques and take time out to rejuvenate. They are also a great opportunity to connect with others across the organisation.
Our wellbeing sessions are there for staff to ask questions, discuss their experience of having COVID-19 and get support, advice and signposting on things like the effects of Long COVID. Staff are signposted for other support and advice if required
Wellbeing and resilience sessions at team meetings
Our Organisational Development Lead spends time with teams regularly to discuss wellbeing and resilience and offer time to reflect, share and make sure staff are signposted to the help and support they need.
Wellbeing Guide
We have an electronic wellbeing guide to ensure that all staff have quick and easy access to all the available support across the NHS and beyond. You can view our guide here.
Pulse check surveys
As part of our on-going work to support our workforce, we want to 'check-in' with staff and find out how they currently are. We often circulate surveys for staff to anonymously share their views and inform changes that improve the experiences of our people and patients.
Facebook Staff Community Group
Our staff Facebook group is a private members group that is a space for colleagues to share thoughts, experiences, team photos and helpful advice. It is a place where we can support and encourage each other as well as hear about all the latest news from CityCare.
MOSAIC Physiotherapy Service Self-Referral
Members of CityCare staff can access the main physio and Occupational Therapy service, irrespective of whether their GP is within Nottingham City or out of the area.
Signposting and communication of local and national help and support
Including NHS employers Health and Wellbeing support, we have been regularly sharing out help and support to staff in our communications which hits inboxes a few times a week.
Freedom to Speak Up
We have a core team of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians who support our colleagues to speak up when they feel that they are unable to in other ways.
The Trade Unions
They are not always a traditional route for accessing support that is not related to a work matter, but they have been there for staff throughout the pandemic, willing and able to support, whether that be work-related or personal they are there for members and non-members.
Interested in joining the CityCare team?
Date published: 4 October 2021
