West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership is to launch a wellbeing hub to support the mental health of its 100,000 employees and 270,000 unpaid carers.
The organisation has received over £1 million from NHS England and NHS Improvement to develop its wellbeing hub, which will launch to staff in December 2020.
The hub will provide information and advice through blogs, videos and webinars on how to better manage physical and mental health. It will also provide online mindfulness sessions and online resilience toolkits
The wellbeing hub has been developed using staff feedback to ensure the benefits available support improved mental and physical health for employees both in and outside of work. It will be offered alongside the organisation's 24/7 people helpline, through which employees can access a wide range of support services for those that are struggling with stress.
Sara Munro, chief executive at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme, said: "NHS England and NHS Improvement has made a commitment to fund a wave of mental health and wellbeing hubs, which will work in partnership with occupational health services and others to support the mental health and wellbeing of all staff. This includes those who may be disproportionately affected by Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic.
"We are pleased to be receiving the funds; it will help to ensure all staff gets equal access to care during these difficult times. Our ultimate aim is for employees to have a good life in and outside of work."
Rob Webster, chief executive at West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, added: ‘When all is said and done, the NHS and the care system is made of people. Without them, we are nothing and the total funds of over £1 million come at a crucial time for us all. Many of our staff have not had the opportunity to fully recharge since the first wave of the virus. They are understandably feeling the pressure and it is our role to make sure support is available for them, alongside effective prioritisation of workload in a compassionate culture."
