This page is for staff only; information regarding our services can be found here.
Individuals
Here you can find different ideas on what you can do to help strengthen your wellbeing at work.
Looking after myself at work
We've collated 5 basic tips for looking after your own health and wellbeing with top tips for you! It might seem like common sense, but it's important we get the basics right and start with firm foundations.
Prioritise sleep and rest
- Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night
- Recharge during your breaks
- Consider practicing mindfulness, meditation or breathing exercises
Stay physically active
- Take short walks or stretch when you can
- Use the stairs if possible
- Consider accessing the free Couchto5k app to improve your fitness
Eat well and stay hydrated
- Plan balanced meals and healthy snacks
- Avoid too much sugar and caffeine
- Keep a refillable water bottle handy and stay hydrated
Take time off
- Take your annual leave regularly to rest and reset
- Engage in hobbies and activities outside of work
Access mental health support
- Talk to a colleague or manager if feeling overwhelmed
- Use CWPT's support services if you need to
Recognising what we do well
The work that we do can often be challenging but evidence suggests that remembering and celebrating the things that go well, even in a small way, can be protective of our wellbeing. Allow yourself time to focus on the things that are going well and celebrate in team meetings or your 1:1s. Find out about positive developments in the Trust here.
Details of the Trust's reward and recognition initiatives can be found here:
Don't forget to share your wins with the Communications Team so they can feature your achievements in Trust communications and consider the awards and recognition section of this guide.
Reaching out to forums of support and development
For details of the teams and individuals across the Trust who are ready to listen and support you:
Managers and supervisors
Prioritise regular supervision and use the space to try to process things that happen during work and impact on your wellbeing. Take part in wellbeing discussions in supervision sessions and in annual appraisals. As the adage goes 'a problem shared is a problem halved'. Sometimes, just talking about an issue can really help. These meetings are a perfect opportunity to speak to your line manager or clinical supervisor about the things that are going well, and where there are challenges.
Want to get more from your supervision and/or appraisal? The Trust now offers 'How to have meaningful supervision and appraisals' training, which is aimed at both team members and team leaders. Find out more on the Talent Platform:
Talk about what is affecting you with your manager, clinical supervisor, team or professional lead as soon as possible to address the issues you are experiencing. Keep speaking up if you don't get what you need the first time.
Professional Advocates
A professional advocate is a recognised clinical leadership and advocacy role within the NHS. Originally developed for midwives, the role now supports nurses, nursing associates, and allied health professionals (AHPs) using the AEQUIP model (Advocating and Educating for QUality ImProvement).
Our professional advocates are here to listen, inspire, and empower nurses, nursing associates and AHPs through confidential restorative clinical supervision (RCS) and career conversations. RCS offers a dedicated space for healthcare professionals to process experiences in their role and reflect on their practice, development, wellbeing, and the experiences of the people they support. Professional advocates can support reflective discussions one-to-one, or as a group.
Coaching
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust fully supports the use of coaches and mentors within the workplace setting and actively encourages you to explore this opportunity.
Coaching is available to provide you with positive support and feedback on individual or group objectives. For those people who have a coach they may find that they feel more supported and motivated, it can increase confidence and ultimately improve performance. A coach will help you reach your full potential and can be used to help you reach specific goals within work and beyond. For more info:
Freedom to Speak Up Guardian
In our Trust, we want an open culture where everyone feels safe to highlight concerns or poor practice when they see it, without the fear of repercussion or reprisal. Our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians are here to listen to staff who have concerns about patient care or safety, staff wellbeing, misconduct or fraud. For more info:
Chaplaincy department
The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Team exists to support staff as much as service users, carers and visitors. The team provide a confidential listening and support service for all staff, and this can take place through formalised sessions such as referrals from Occupational Health, self-referrals or informal meetings. You don't have to be religious to make contact and we are always available so please do ask. You can contact Simon Moult, Chaplain amd Coordinator of Faith Services via email Simon.Moult@covwarkpt.nhs.uk or call: 07767 005987. For more info:
Equality, diversity and inclusion support
Whilst ensuring that staff are advised and supported on the wider equality agenda through training, the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team support staff who may have experienced harassment, bullying or verbal abuse because of their religion or belief, age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, sex or sexual orientation. We provide a confidential listening support service to all staff and patients. Support is also available to users and carers from minority groups to support them through their healthcare journey. Contact the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team on 024 7684 4031. For more info:
Mental Health First Aid trained colleagues
The Trust has a number of Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trained staff across the Trust, based in various bases. Staff who are MHFA trained can be identified by the MHFA badge and lanyard.
Connecting with colleagues
...with your team, in your service and with wider Trust staff networks.
A sense of shared purpose and working together as a team protects staff wellbeing. Take part in events in your service or across the Trust, contribute when asked for feedback or engagement.
Find out more about Trust Initiatives for connection here:
Exploring options and reasonable adjustments
Adjustments can be made to your working arrangements to support your wellbeing. More information about adjustments:
Expanding my skills
Having access to learning and development opportunities is essential to staff wellbeing in the NHS. It empowers individuals with the skills and confidence to deliver high-quality care, reduces stress through competence, and supports personal growth and career satisfaction and retention.
Find out more about Trust learning and development initiatives here:
Seeking help early on
Occupational Health Service
The Occupational Health Service provides a comprehensive high-quality service to all staff. Providing advice, screening and health promotion on matters relating to health at work and at home, whilst reflecting the Trust's vision and core values and embracing the Trust's nursing and human resources strategies. Staff can be referred via their manager usually as part of sickness absence management or work performance issues. Staff can also self-refer at any time to the service if they have personal or work issues. Confidentiality is maintained at all times. Contact the Occupational Health Service on 024 76965420 or email OccupationalHealth@uhcw.nhs.uk.
Employee Assistance Programme (Confidential Counselling)
24 hour/7 day a week/365 day a year support for staff, offering a wide range of support options from 24/7 Telephone Support, Self-help Workbooks, Face to Face & Virtual Counselling, online CBT as well as Podcasts, Call for free on 0800 023 9324 or 03303 800 658. You can find more information on the intranet.
NHS Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies is a free NHS service providing a range of psychological support to help you with symptoms of anxiety, panic or low mood.
TRiM (Trauma Risk Management)
TRiM is open to all staff following a traumatic incident that has taken place inside or outside of the workplace. It is completely confidential and involves individual or group assessments from a TRiM practitioner to help identify staff who may need further support following a traumatic incident. The team can signpost to further support when necessary. Further details can be found on the intranet.
COPE (Confidential Open Psychological support for Employees)
If you ever need to discuss work or personal issues confidentially, we provide a free professional counselling service. COPE offer a range of therapy options. Contact COPE by accessing the online referral form, calling 07920 581981 or email COPE@covwarkpt.nhs.uk . Employees have access to an in-house counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EDMR) and psychological support, on a self-referral basis.
Access Trust financial wellbeing initiatives and support
The Trust offers a number of financial wellbeing initiatives, from access to discounts to debt advice. You can see a detailed list of the Trust's financial wellbeing initiatives on offer .