Wigan Infirmary | WWL
Zoe Garnett, staff wellbeing lead for Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (WWL) talks about helping workers deal with stress
I have worked within the NHS for nearly 25 years and have been used to preparing for the predictable “winter pressures.”
Every September, as part of various Staff Experience/Wellbeing teams, our focus has usually been on how we could support leaders manage with stretched resources and how we could protect staff from burnout during the winter months.
In recent years, however, those seasonal peaks have shifted, and the trust- like the wider NHS – now experiences pressures all year round.
At WWL, we recognise the importance of supporting the wellbeing of our colleagues both now and into the future.
Caring for our staff cannot simply be a wellbeing initiative; it is a strategic priority.
That’s why one of our Trust values “People at the Heart” remains central to everything we do.
As April is Stress Awareness Month, we want to encourage everyone to make their wellbeing a priority.
This year, the theme throughout April is #BeTheChange which invites us to move beyond simply recognising stress and instead take small, intentional daily actions – from practising mindfulness to strengthening connections and adopting healthier coping strategies.
These simple habits can help reduce stress, open up conversations about mental health, and build greater self‑awareness, ultimately leading to long‑term positive change.
At WWL, we are encouraging our staff to make a positive change and really look after their wellbeing starting with good self‑care and self‑compassion.
The campaign reminds us that stress affects everyone differently, but with greater self-awareness and practical tools it can be managed more effectively.
Working in healthcare means supporting patients through some of their most vulnerable and frightening times and being able to care for others begins with our staff being able to care for themselves.
Compassionate, patient‑centred care is what we do at WWL, but our staff can only deliver this if they stay well and look after their own needs.
As they say, “you cannot pour from an empty cup” so by helping to build self‑compassion and provide protective mechanisms that allow us to stay healthy and resilient, our staff are able to continue in the roles they care about.
Recently, the trust partnered with a new Employee Assistance Programme provider, PAM Wellness, who offer 24/7 support all year round.
They provide in-the-moment emotional support, and for times when colleagues need more in‑depth help, the EAP and our local Talking Therapies services are available.
Another way that our staff can learn coping techniques is our Steps4Mindful Living programme.
This short course introduces mindfulness in everyday life, builds resilience, and teaches practical stress‑management techniques.
We also have a suite of Wellness at Work resources to help colleagues have supportive wellbeing conversations with their managers to help them stay well in work, including making workplace adjustments.
Self‑care isn’t a luxury, it is essential, and at WWL we have a wide range of support options available for colleagues.
By taking a proactive, preventative approach, and starting with valuable self‑care and compassion, we can help manage the stresses and strains of life.
By taking small steps each day, we can be the change for ourselves, for each other, and for our patients.
Continue Reading
