There’s a chance to find out about the role Oxford Health has played during the COVID-19 pandemic at a special online event on Wednesday, September 1, that heralds the start of our annual HealthFest.
Members of the public are welcome to attend this webinar at 11.15am and simply need to click here to join via their laptop, PC or tablet. If you can’t make it, we will be posting a recording of the event.
Reflect and Recover
The webinar is being held to launch HealthFest 2021 – a month-long mini festival themed Reflect and Recover that will be taking place throughout September predominantly for Oxford Health colleagues.
Launching proceedings at the online gathering will be Trust Chair David Walker and chief executive Dr Nick Broughton who will reflect on the last 18 months at Oxford Health – including the roll out of the vaccination programme, our health and wellbeing programme and the work of Oxford Health Charity which has received such immense support from the communities we serve.
With an internal focus, HealthFest will offer support to approximately 6,800 employees working across 150 sites in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and parts of Somerset.
HealthFest offers a calendar packed with internal events for staff, volunteers and governors too, all continuing the theme of reflection and recovery as colleagues work with the real impact and continuing risks of the pandemic.
The Oxford Health family have worked around the clock to provide compassionate and excellent care on our wards and in our communities, whilst managing challenges and taking care of each other. Although it is their job to care for others, they must also look after themselves – and that’s the purpose of HealthFest 2021.
Back in January the trust was unable to provide care packs to staff due to stringent infection prevention and control guidelines. As an alternative, a virtual care pack was offered, filled with self-care sessions. With 96% of staff saying they would recommend the sessions to others, the idea virtual delivery was expanded for HealthFest 2021.
Standing together as #oneOHFT team
Kerry Rogers, Director of Corporate Affairs & Company Secretary, commented: “The HealthFest team and the Oxford Health Board are delighted to launch HealthFest 2021, with a particular focus on staff wellbeing – it’s a way to say thank you and give back as we continue to stand together as one team.
“We hope the webinar can offer those in our communities a chance to hear our story, express their thanks to staff and ask relevant questions about the pandemic.”
Julie Pink, Head of Charity and Involvement, is part of the HealthFest team and added: “Oxford Health Charity exists to support those receiving care and working at Oxford Health – to enhance their experience.
“HealthFest will provide a range of self-care sessions to staff – from personal development and arts to cookery and exercise. There is something for everyone and we are pleased to be continuing to support staff through this difficult journey. We hope these sessions paired with the webinar being open to the public will be a welcome chance to reflect on the last year and for staff to take time for their own wellbeing.”
HealthFest history
Every year, Oxford Health hosts HealthFest as part of the Open Doors Oxford weekend (hosted by the Oxford Preservation Trust). Staged on the Warneford Hospital front lawn in Oxford, it is an interactive event to demonstrate the work of the trust, services for communities and how the public can offer support.
Due to Covid-19 and the pandemic the event in 2020 was held virtually and this year we wanted the focus to be on staff and their wellbeing. Hopefully in 2022 we will be back for a community event.
Join the Oxford Health family
We are always keen to hear from people from our communities who are interested in a rewarding and fulfilling career in the NHS. With so many career options on, offer coupled with Oxford Health’s great training and development culture to support your career, take a look at our current opportunities on our careers site here.
Read about some of the inspiring people who have joined our team in clinical and non clinical roles.
So whether you want to work on wards or in other support roles, drop us an email careers@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
Become a member of our Trust
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Published: 26 August 2021