NHS staff are at the front line when it comes to supporting those with health and well-being issues. Now there is the opportunity for individuals and businesses to give back and show support for staff at Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust by taking part or sponsoring the first Somerset NHS Night Walk, taking place on Friday 1st November at French Weir Park.
Organised by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) the 6 mile Night Walk concept came from an NHS working group looking into how to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff who work long and often anti-social hours often in pressurised conditions.
Jane Knowles, CEO of SASP said “Health and wellbeing is such an important element of our lives, from our family life, to our own individual feelings, but also importantly, our workplace where we spend so much time. Therefore, it’s crucial we look after both our physical and mental health and this is often helped by doing enjoyable and social activities, such as walking or taking part in sports and other physical activities.”
Staff from across the wards and departments of Musgrove Park Hospital and Sompar have already been supporting each other to get more active to help combat tiredness and increase positive mental health in what is often a stressful and pressurized job. The night walk concept was chosen because it highlighted unsocial working hours and also enabled supporters from outside the NHS staff to take part.
“We welcome anyone from businesses, individuals, families or other sports groups to come and join us,” says Jane Knowles. “It costs £15 per person to take part, of which half goes directly into funds to support NHS staff. If you cannot take part, please help us by donating directly to the fund. A company could donate anything from a few pounds to £200 to show their support of Somerset NHS Foundation staff and all money raised will go directly to NHS staff physical activity and wellbeing projects. These initiatives will be managed by the Foundation Trusts Physical Activity Working Group which is run by and for staff from across the Trust.”