We’ve been awarded £49,980 to deliver vital wellbeing support to NHS staff
As the NHS enters what is predicted to be the busiest winter period on record for emergency departments and ambulance service, Plymouth Hospitals Charity in Devon will be able to provide crucial support to help improve the wellbeing of local NHS staff, both now and in the future, thanks to a £49,980 grant from NHS Charities Together and NHS England.
The grant has been awarded as part of an £11 million programme – which includes a £5 million contribution from NHS England – and is one of 29 ambitious projects across England to receive funding from the programme this Autumn.
NHS staff are the driving force behind our healthcare system, but they are currently working in some of the toughest conditions in history, with growing pressure from increased demand for health services and rising NHS vacancies. Research from NHS Charities Together has highlighted that almost half (47%) of NHS staff surveyed said their job was affecting their mental health and 41% their physical health. That’s why projects such as this are more important now than ever.
Through this funding, University Hospitals Plymouth will support its workforce with accessible, inclusive and proactive support from a new wellbeing hub. The Staff Hub will be a visible anchor for wellbeing, connection and peer support. These projects will help ensure that NHS staff have the support they need to continue to provide the best possible care for patients when it matters most.
Claire Chinnock, Head of Staff Engagement & Experience said:
“We are incredibly grateful to NHS Charities Together and NHS England for this funding. The Thrive@UHP Hub will be in a central location of Derriford Hospital. The aim is to increase the quality of support provision and reduce the number of staff reaching crisis point. It is designed to deliver measurable improvements in staff wellbeing, engagement and retention, particularly for those in lower-banded and high-pressure roles. This project will contribute to reducing sickness absence, presenteeism and avoidable turnover. It will improve staff morale, psychological safety and engagement, ultimately supporting better patient care. By creating a visible, inclusive and sustainable offer, the project will help build a healthier, more resilient NHS workforce.
Ellie Orton, CEO, NHS Charities Together, comments:
“Many NHS staff feel that theirs is the best job in the world, but these roles come with a tremendous responsibility for the lives they care for, and at a time of incredible pressure on health services, this takes a toll on their mental and physical wellbeing.
“In the face of so many wider healthcare challenges it can be easy to forget about healthcare staff, but it goes without saying that we need a healthy workforce if we want a thriving NHS that can give patients the care they need.
“This funding means NHS charities like Plymouth Hospitals Charity can help ensure NHS staff prioritise their own health and wellness with the same care they give to patients, and we are delighted we can support this important work. We’ve spent a lot of time talking to frontline staff and analysing evidence from previous projects to arrive at solutions that will give healthcare staff the right tools to look after their own wellbeing.
“Applications are now open for a second round of grant funding as part of this programme, in partnership with NHS England, and we’re excited to continue our work with NHS charities and other organisations to help the NHS go further for everyone.”
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