NHS Charities Together Support Patient and Staff Wellbeing

Thanks to NHS Charities Together we have been able to support patient and staff wellbeing across Manchester Foundation Trust. Their support is helping us to make a difference in many different, valuable ways.

We’ve supported staff during Ramadan by providing Iftar boxes and have enabled virtual team time sessions.  These sessions provided a forum for staff to come together to discuss and reflect on the emotional and social challenges associated with working in healthcare . This was is a vital method of support for staff wellbeing.

Funds are also being used to train more Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) and to try and break down barriers around mental health through an anti-stigma campaign. Mental Health First Aiders support employees experiencing a mental health issue or emotional distress. This can be an initial conversation through to supporting the person to get help. MHFAs are valuable in providing early intervention help for someone who may be developing a mental health issue.

Tanya Hamid, Interim Associate Director of Charities commented: “The support of NHS Charities Together is enabling us to do so much to support staff and patients across our family of hospitals at this crucial time. We are extremely grateful to them and the generosity of the public who have helped to make this possible”

Support from NHS Charities Together is also helping to enhance rest and break areas across our hospitals. We want to provide safe spaces for rest and recharge and ensure that the space complies with social distancing.