A haven for heroes

My Charity has the wellbeing of everyone who comes through the doors of our hospitals at its heart. Whether patients, visitors or staff, we are here to make their day better.

For our dedicated staff, working tirelessly to support their patients, a moments calm can be difficult to come by during their hectic shifts. The Trust’s Health, Wellbeing and Engagement team have been tackling this in recent years by introducing spaces across our hospital sites to provide rare areas of peace and quiet for our NHS heroes. With St Richard’s Hospital one of the last to have such a space installed, the team were quick to submit a bid to the charity for funding when a disused room became available on site. We were more than happy to ensure their vision became a reality.

Refurbishment began shortly after and now a serene, tranquil and calming room sits just past the entrance corridor of the hospital – central and easy to locate for all staff. The blue walls, comfortable sofas and enticing refreshments allow individuals to step out of their clinical environment they’ve been surrounded by all shift to unwind, recharge and refresh in the aptly named ‘Staff Oasis.’ For recently back to work mothers that wish to continue infant feeding, the room offers an expressing and feeding zone. Relaxing activities such as massages and arts & crafts will be available here on occasion too.

Eloise O’Shea from the Health, Wellbeing and Engagement team, said:

“The wellbeing spaces already open at other sites are well used by staff and are having a positive impact on their mental and physical health. It’s somewhere to take ten minutes away from work, have a quiet conversation or simply share a cup of tea with a colleague. The charity has helped us demonstrate to our staff that their wellbeing is a priority. It’s just one of the ways we can say ‘we care, we value and we appreciate you’!”