Wellbeing

Lunch and Learn

Launching 18th March

We are pleased to announce that our Lunch and Learn sessions will begin on Thursday 18th March; 12pm -1pm, with our first guest speaker- Sam Tyrer. Sam specialises in mental health and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area. Come and listen to what Sam has to say on this topic.

All Library users should have received a Team’s invite for the session. Please email katie.roper@lscft.nhs.uk if you would like to be added to the list. Simply bring your lunch, log on and learn something new.

Looking forward to seeing you then.

Time to Talk Day

February 4th is Time to Talk Day, a campaign to change the way people think and act about mental health problems

A small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference. We know that the more conversations we have, the more myths we can bust and barriers we can break down, helping to end the isolation, shame and worthlessness that too many of us with mental health problems are made to feel.

Time to Talk Day is the day that we get the nation talking about mental health. This year’s event might look a little different, but at times like this open conversations about mental health are more important than ever. Your help is needed to start the conversation this Time to Talk Day – together we can end mental health stigma.

Click here for more information and to sign up for free resources to get people talking.

Feel Good February

We have a new collection of books in the library designed to make our staff feel good

The last 12 months have been a very difficult time and the library team are hoping that these new books will help to lift the spirits of our hard working staff.

The collection includes books from several different genres, including:

Romance
Cooking and baking
Gardening
Fantasy
Humour

The full collection is on the display in the library throughout February. Please feel free to visit the library to browse the books or see our catalogue here and email us with any requests: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk. If you are unable to visit the library we can post the books out to you.

The library team would like to thank all the staff in the trust for their contribution to coping with this pandemic. If there is anything that we can help you with please email us: academic.library@lscft.nhs.uk

Gosall Library

Meditation Canvas

We would love to complete our meditation canvas, which is displayed with the Gosall Library at the Lantern Centre before January 1st, in memory of our colleague Sue Brett-Micheals, who sadly passed away last year.

We are encouraging anyone who has a free few minutes to visit us for some mindfulness meditation and a much needed wellbeing break to add some colour to our canvas.

Library Competition

Celebrating International Stress Awareness Week

Next week (2nd to 6th November) is International Stress Awareness Week. The Library Team wanted to focus on the positives, especially during these difficult times .

We are running a photograph competition throughout the week, asking people to send photographs of how you ‘de-stress’ after a hectic day. All you have to do to enter is tag us on Twitter @LscftL to be in with the chance of winning a goody bag of prizes.

The competition is open to all Trust staff and patients, along with friends and families. We’d love for as many people to get involved as possible and hope that it may bring some hope and joy throughout the week.

The winner will be announced on Monday 9th November. Happy snapping!

The impacts of volunteering on the subjective wellbeing of volunteers: a rapid evidence assessment

Source: Kings Fund Health Management and Policy Alert

There is a growing body of research on the links between volunteering and wellbeing. This review (co-published with Spirit of 2012, and in partnership with the Institute of Volunteer Research) brings together the most relevant studies. It focuses on the experience of adult formal volunteers, and looks at the key factors involved in improving wellbeing through volunteering.

For more information click here.

Mental Health Day

10th October 2020

This year’s theme is; ‘Mental health for all’

Mental health can affect anybody at any time. Mental health day is about showing support for better mental health. Why not take some time today for your own wellbeing.

Mind offers some top tips to improve your mental health and wellbeing:

only try what feels comfortable
give yourself time to figure out what works for you, going at your own pace
take small steps. Pick one or two things that feel achievable at first, before moving on to try other ideas.

So why not get involved:

have a virtual tea and chat with a friend
talk about your and your family’s wellbeing and create plans to involve everyone’s ideas
get moving for mental health
celebrate your differences

To read some personal stories about World Mental Health Day click here.

For more ideas or to find out more visit the Mental Health Foundation.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Support resources for challenging times

More than six months after the Covid-19 pandemic began many of us are feeling exhausted, anxious and overwhelmed. Now, more than ever, it’s so important to take some time to look after your wellbeing. King’s Fund have put together some useful resources, from ‘wellbeing plans’ to useful toolkits.

Click here to access.

They also offer some top tips for dealing with anxiety and encourage you to think about your breathing:

Notice your breathing.
In noticing your breathing connect with how you are feeling physically.
Take a moment to take some deep and slow breaths in and out and count them as you do this.
Ask yourself how aware you are of your breathing patterns.
Our breathing helps inform us of how stressed and/or anxious we might be if we allow ourselves to notice it.
A greater awareness of our breathing can help anchor ourselves in our roles as leaders in these difficult to navigate times.

Managing anxiety: breathing | The King’s Fund

Healthy Eating Week

British Nutrition Foundation healthy eating week 28th September to 4th October

Today’s challenge is to be mind kind; do something that fulfills your mind. This may be something simple like having an early night to ensure you get enough sleep, taking the time to help others, or going for a walk in your lunch break.

Why is it important to be mind kind?

Mental health is a vital aspect of overall health and wellbeing. It is estimated that around one in six adults in England have a common mental health problem but less than half access mental health treatments. The figure in children (5-19 years) has risen to one in eight with the figure at its highest in older children. Mental health issues can include anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, loneliness and personality disorders. It is especially important to care for your own mental wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic, for information on how to manage this, click here.
(BNF)

Friday’s challenge- be mind kind

For more top tips click here.

Royal College of Nursing Survey

Nurses experiences of working through the pandemic

The survey was completed by over 42,000 colleagues who explained their experiences of working on the front line and the overall impact the pandemic had on their nursing lives. The outcomes show that the majority are still passionate about the nursing profession, however concerns were raised about personal and staff well-being.

The survey revealed:

38% said staffing levels got worse during the pandemic
62% said the needs of people they care for became more complex
76% reported an increase in their own stress levels
33% said they worked longer hours, but only 40% of those reported getting paid for them
34% said they worked at a higher level of responsibility, with 90% of those saying they received no extra pay.

To read the full report click here.