The Devon Wellbeing Hub turns three

Posted by Devon Partnership Trust in Mental health, News, Recovery and wellbeing on 28th March, 2024

Tomorrow (29 March) the Devon Wellbeing Hub is celebrating three years of supporting those who support others.

The Hub was launched in March 2021 to offer free, confidential wellbeing support for healthcare, social care and police staff impacted by COVID-19.

Thousands of colleagues across Devon have been supported over the past three years. In just the first two months of 2024, we have received over 100 referrals, engaged in 638 contacts with colleagues for individual and team support, and delivered 334 interventions. These interventions include individual assessments, pastoral support, team workshops and reflective practice sessions.

Our service continues to develop and become more accessible to people’s wellbeing needs. Our team of Psychologists, Colleague Wellbeing Practitioners and Chaplains work with colleagues on a range of work and home life issues, whether they’re related to the pandemic or not. This includes managing stress and mental wellbeing, financial worries, bereavement and relationship issues.

Alongside individual assessments and team workshops, we also run drop-in sessions and host virtual workshops for individuals who would like tools and advice to support their everyday wellbeing – topics include managing imposter syndrome and emotional self-care.

Read about some of the ways we’ve supported individuals and teams below:

You can see our fill list of testimonials on our website.

Natalie Canepa, Senior Colleague Wellbeing Practitioner who has been part of the Hub since it launched, said: “Working within the Hub has been an incredibly rewarding journey and a true privilege. It has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of those who dedicate themselves to helping others, while also reaffirming the importance of empathy, validation, and empowerment in times of crisis.

“My motivation to join this initiative stemmed from personal experiences of being part of teams facing difficulties. I understand first-hand the toll it can take on individuals when they feel overwhelmed or unsupported in their roles. This empathy has been a driving force in my commitment to providing assistance and creating a supportive environment for others.

“Over the past three years, I have witnessed the positive impact of this service on the lives of countless individuals. From frontline healthcare workers to essential service providers, each person who has benefited from our support has been able to navigate through challenging circumstances with greater ease and confidence. We have been able to develop and offer bespoke support on several different platforms.

“I feel that all difficulties are relative to that person and there will never be any judgement on the reasons which have led you to reach out to the Hub. Never underestimate the impact of what asking for support can do, not only for you as an individual, but also to be a good role model for others.”

Christina Greenland, Clinical and Operational Lead for the Hub, said: “I’m really proud to be part of a service that supports colleagues who work so hard supporting others. We often find people in these roles can neglect their own self-care, but it’s important to treat yourself with kindness and give yourself permission to seek help if needed.

“You also don’t need to be struggling to get in touch with us. Over the years we’ve expanded beyond just helping people who have been impacted by the pandemic. We encourage people to take a proactive approach to their wellbeing – even if you feel well at the minute, we can help you maintain that.

“As we’re celebrating our third birthday, I wanted to share my three top tips for improving wellbeing. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to looking after ourselves and different things work for different people, but this may give some inspiration!

“1) Our lives are often complex and full. This can feel overwhelming, even when we enjoy all the things we’re doing. Therefore, it’s important to make space for downtime. Be careful not to overcommit and deliberately pencil in free weekends and evenings.

“2) Make a note of three things each day that you’re grateful for. We can always find something, however small or fleeting, even on the difficult days. Our brains are naturally wired to look for problems, so we need to work a bit harder sometimes to find and feel the positives.

“3) Sometimes we can get stuck on thinking about problems that are out of our control. Focus instead on what you can change and how you can do this. It tends to make us feel more empowered.”

Get in touch

Getting support from the Devon Wellbeing Hub is simple. If you work in healthcare, social care or the police and are struggling with any aspect of your wellbeing, or you lead a team who would benefit from support, the Hub can help you today. Please get in touch by emailing dpt.devonwellbeing@nhs.net or by calling 0300 303 5455. You can also fill out the referral form on the Devon Wellbeing Hub website.

If you’ve been supported by the Hub and would like to share details about your experience, please get in touch with Lauren Batten, Staff Wellbeing Communications and Engagement Coordinator, at lauren.batten1@nhs.net

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The Devon Wellbeing Hub turns three

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