We are delighted to confirm that the South Western Ambulance Charity, in partnership with the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust's (SWASFT) Staying Well Hub, has been successful in securing £200,000 to enhance well-being support for SWASFT personnel. 

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This collaborative grant application is being funded through a national £11 million 'Workforce Well-being' programme funded by NHS Charities Together and NHS England. 

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Research from NHS Charities Together shows that almost half (47%) of NHS staff surveyed say their job is negatively affecting their mental health, while 41% report an impact on their physical health.

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Delivery of the programme will be led by SWASFT's Staying Well Hub. They are designing and delivering pro-active, evidence-based well-being initiatives which are meaningful, impactful and sector-leading. 

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Initiatives funded through this investment include:

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A Psycho-social Education programme, rooted in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), delivered by in-house SWASFT Mental Health Practitioners. This will be a first within the ambulance sector and will focus on coping strategies, social influences and well-being related changes. 

 

Expansion of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), led by Trauma Therapist Paul Edwards. A bespoke EFT practitioner programme will be develop to increase the capacity of EFT practitioners available within SWASFT, for colleagues to access support. 

Launch of Trauma Response and Support (T-RAS), a strengthened psychological trauma support approach. Support for external experts to ensure the model is evidence-based and responsive to the needs of staff across the Trust.

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Each of these initiatives is being underpinned with a data driven quality improvement approach to ensure they best meet the needs of SWASFT colleagues. 

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Lauren Dunn, Head of Well-being and Occupational Health at SWASFT, said: "To receive this grant and be supported to deliver such a genuinely transformative programme of work is an immense privilege. It allows us, as the first ambulance service to pilot and evaluate these innovative approaches in such depth, to shape not only the future of well-being within our organisation, but to contribute to sector-wide change".

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Ellie Orton, CEO, NHS Charities Together, said; "Many NHS staff feel that theirs is the best job in the world, but these roles come with a tremendous responsibility for the lives they care for, and at a time of incredible pressure on health services, this takes a toll on their mental and physical well-being. 

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This funding means NHS charities like South Western Ambulance Charity can help ensure NHS staff prioritise their own health and wellness with the same care they give to patients, and we are delighted we can support this important work."

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You can read the full press release from SWASFT at South Western Ambulance Charity awarded £200,000 to support enhancements to wellbeing support to ambulance staff | News | SWAST Website