Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

On the record

In the past year Healthy Minds Bucks Wellbeing Team has looked at all aspects of wellbeing – emotional, psychological and physical – across the whole service and put their practical ideas into action. CBT therapist Natalie Wilkie said; “Feedback on their work is so important for staff, so now we read out loud patient experience feedback in our team meetings. It makes staff realise that their work really is valued and recognised.”

Once a month the team has a 30-minute slot dedicated for wellbeing in their meetings with a team building challenge, a creative activity or simply a bring-and-share lunch.

“On our away-day we focused on physical health and used the talent from the team. We had a yoga class, Zumba class, scavenger hunt – and bake-off for dessert.”

The team has also implemented practical ways to manage stress and workload: practical workplans are put in place to manage the ebb and flow of trainees in accordance with term times; every employee has a wellbeing pack and new joiners can have a buddy.

“We have a very enthusiastic team and this work really is driven from bottom up, but it is great to have the management team aboard – they take a very active part.”