Let’s help you look after you
May 31, 2020
Dealing with the pandemic has put a toll on many of us, working longer hours, having feelings of anxiety and even fear. It is therefore now, more important than ever, to look after your own health and wellbeing. A range of resources and support are on offer for all colleagues including 24/7 access to confidential counsellors including a wealth of support and information on our dedicated Connect pages.
The Trust has also turned the building which hosted the Live and Works team into a wellbeing sanctuary. It is open and available to you five days a week offering a range of services including massages, meditation, mindfulness and hypnosis.
We caught up with Lawrence Kelly, Learning Works Co-ordinator who told us the sanctuary was developed in response to the pandemic.
He said: “None of us have ever experienced working in a pandemic. The stress COVID-19 has placed on colleagues has been immense, and as a team we realised we needed to provide a service where colleagues could come and get away from everything even for half an hour.
“The wellbeing sanctuary is a place where colleagues can share their stories and off load about their anxieties and fears. We have decorated the rooms to have the effect of calmness, with candles and relaxing music.”
Lawrence continued: “We have been both surprised and pleased with the uptake of the service. We are seeing colleagues from a wide range of professions including senior clinicians and wards service officers. Colleagues are coming here, seeing the benefit and then spreading the word to their own teams.”
A ward services officer who has been visiting on a regular basis told us: “I have been off work with anxiety and the help I am getting here is really helping me to get my mind ready so I am able to return to work. The colleagues here are wonderful, I would definitely recommend it.”
A staff nurse added: “I have recently recovered from COVID-19 and have returned to work. I have visited the wellbeing sanctuary twice so far and I am finding it very beneficial in my role. The meditation and therapy relaxation massage is very good. It is very helpful in dealing with anxiety.”
The sanctuary currently sees up to 15 colleagues a day. The team have extended the service to include colleagues from primary care and care homes. The first time you visit the sanctuary you are asked to complete a short questionnaire based on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales which assesses your mental wellbeing. The assessment is reviewed at each visit to track progress.
The wellbeing sanctuary is based at the Learning Works, Unett Street, Smethwick, B66 3SY. Daily sanctuary sessions include:
- Deep Relaxation and Breathing through Soundscape – Travel from the peaks of the Himalayas to the depth of the oceans of Bali relaxing in a harmonious tranquillity.
- Music Therapy – A time to find inner stillness through the tranquillity of relaxing sound vibrations.
- Restorative Clinical Supervision (Health and Wellbeing Lead) – A safe and confidential space to explore the impact of work pressures.
- Unwind with Mindfulness – Breath and Relax. Enjoy the session of being present and the power of connection and self-kindness.
To book an appointment contact the team on 0121 507 5886.