Charity

Charity funds wellbeing projects for Hywel Dda NHS staff

Published

3 years ago

July 19, 2022

Artist Bull Taylor-Beales from People Speak Up took a drawing class at the Hywel Dda University Health Board Annual Nursing Conference

HYWEL DDA Health Charities is funding six major projects to support the health and wellbeing of the 12,000-plus NHS staff working across the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

This has been possible thanks to a £242,000 grant from the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal which raised more than £130 million to help with the impact of the pandemic on NHS staff thanks to the kindness and generosity of the British public.

The projects are providing a range of opportunities and support including ecotherapy retreats, Wellbeing Champions, bereavement support and training, staff rest areas, a lifelong learning fund, and arts in health and wellbeing activities.

And more than 2,700 Hywel Dda University Health Board staff across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have already benefited from the projects.

One ecotherapy retreat for staff has already been held, with four more planned for 2022 and five for 2023.

The retreats have been specially designed for Hywel Dda staff and are aimed at those who are experiencing high levels of stress or who are at risk of burnout. They give an opportunity to slow down and reflect and experience restoration in nature and staff taking part have already talked of healing and nature becoming an ally.

Pictured are Julie Brennan, Bereavement Support Services Manager (left) and Katie Barrett, Senior Co-ordinator Bereavement Support Services (right) with the specialist trainers working on the project – Amanda Cardell and Sandra Edwards

More than 130 staff have registered to become Wellbeing Champions and 65 have already completed the induction programme. The aim is to have 100 champions in place by September this year, promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Local initiatives that have already been developed by the champions include lunchtime Tai Chi classes, ward-based wellbeing libraries, and programmes supporting hydration, exercise and relaxation.

Two Specialist Bereavement Staff Support Trainers have been appointed on a job-share basis to provide education for staff relating to death, dying and bereavement. They have established a bereavement support and training project, working with senior nursing teams and operational managers.

Workshops are being held for staff focusing on grief, loss and bereavement, including the effects of working through the pandemic and self-care. Participants to date have included senior nurses, staff nurses, family liaison officers, health care support workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. They have reported that the workshops have been of huge benefit in supporting patients and families with symptoms of grief.

The grant funding will also enable new staff rest areas to be created as well as improvements to be made to existing rest areas, following engagement with staff. These indoor and outdoor rest areas will enable staff across the health board to benefit from fresh air and relaxation time as well as more comfortable surroundings for breaks.

The Lifelong Learning Fund has also been launched, which offers staff the chance to apply for funding to learn new skills to help them recover from the experience of the pandemic.

Arts in health and wellbeing activities are also being provided for staff. The Hywel Dda Arts in Health Coordinators have piloted a programme of creative activities, including live music performances, creative writing sessions, online singing activities and arts and culture events.

Lisa Gostling, the health board’s Director of Workforce & Organisation Development, said: “We consulted with staff to understand their experiences of working during the pandemic and, in understanding the huge impact the pandemic had on our staff’s wellbeing, we wanted to invest in programmes and initiatives that provided mechanisms for reflection and Recovery.

Jess Cox who took part in a jewellery-making workshop

“Some of our staff worked in extremely challenging circumstances and we have been able to invest in programmes that will all help to support the well-being of our staff at work. We are so grateful for the opportunity to provide these much-needed facilities and programmes for the staff at Hywel Dda. In supporting the wellbeing of our staff we can continue to support our patients and public to the best of our ability.”

Mandy Rayani, Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient Experience for the health board, said: “During the pandemic, our staff have gone above and beyond and have worked to ensure that appropriate 24/7 care has been available to meet patient needs across our three counties.

“We are so proud of our staff and one of our priorities now is to support their rest, recovery and the restoration of their wellbeing. These six new projects to support staff wellbeing and recovery in the longer term have been well received by our teams and we are very grateful for the support of NHS Charities Together and the public through their donations.”

Charity

Two shouts and nine hours at sea for Angle RNLI

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 9:15pm on Wednesday night, 15th of January to assist a 25 meter commercial landing craft with 8 persons onboard taking water in St Brides Bay. The vessel was under tow from a tug following a grounding and salvage operation.

St David’s All-Weather Lifeboat were on scene with their salvage pump having already been transferred onboard, and Little Haven Inshore Lifeboat had also attended during the evening.

Angle Lifeboat made best speed to the area and arrived on scene 30 minutes later and soon had their salvage pump transferred onto the casualty vessel to assist with keeping the water ingress at bay.

Both lifeboats began to escort the tow but whilst west of Skomer Island, however a change of plan, and in light of the vessel still taking water a plan was made to alter course and proceed to Broad Haven Beach with a view to beach the vessel to prevent it sinking.

The lifeboats then spent the next few hours escorting the tow and providing safety cover. Upon arrival off Broad Haven, and with the tidal state not right to beach the vessel the lifeboats stood by whilst pumping efforts continued.

At 3:15am, with the situation now improving, St David’s Lifeboat was released and returned fo station. Not long after at 4am, with the water ingress now under control, Angle Lifeboat was subsequently stood down after the master confirmed he was content with the vessels condition.

Just over 3 hours before, at 5:30pm the crew were paged to assist a 10 meter pleasure vessel that had suffered electrical failure off the VPOT oil terminal on the Milford Haven waterway.

As the crew were already at station preparing to launch on exercise, the crew were soon underway and with the casualty vessel not long after.

Following a quick assessment the vessel was soon underway and with tow towards Neyland Marina.

Once off the entrance to the marina, the vessel was transferred into an alongside tow and placed safely alongside a pontoon within the marina.

With no further assistance required the lifeboat was stood down and the crew returned to their usual Wednesday night exercise.

Charity

Senedd’s private rented sector debate welcomed by Dogs Trust

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 15% of dogs relinquished to Dogs Trust are handed over due to housing issues, highlighting the pressing need for pet-friendly rental accommodations. Recent research shows only 46% of landlords currently allow pets, a statistic Dogs Trust is determined to change.

The charity welcomed yesterday’s debate in the Senedd on the Private Rental Sector (PRS) report, as it continues to push for measures that support responsible pet ownership among renters.

The PRS report, published in October 2024 by the Senedd’s Local Government and Housing Committee, underscores the need for greater availability of pet-friendly housing in Wales. Evidence from Dogs Trust and other organizations was pivotal in shaping the report’s recommendations.

Dogs Trust, with rehoming centres in Cardiff and Bridgend, has seen the number of people in Wales surrendering their dogs due to accommodation issues rise by nearly a third in 2024.

Claire Calder, Head of Public Affairs at Dogs Trust, commented:
“We are pleased to see the issue of pet-friendly housing continue to be discussed in the Senedd. Recognising the importance of pet-friendly housing is a huge step and acknowledges that the shortage of such housing is profoundly affecting both pet owners and the pet welfare sector.

“Dogs Trust has campaigned on this issue for many years. We believe the joy of pet ownership should not be exclusive to homeowners but should also be accessible to private and social renters.

“We look forward to working with the Welsh Government to turn the Committee’s recommendations into meaningful change, ensuring more pets and their owners have a place to call home.”

While nearly half of all Welsh households share their homes with pets and a third own a dog, research by Dogs Trust and Cats Protection reveals that only 8% of rental properties in Wales are advertised as pet-friendly.

Additionally, the research found that landlords are often divided on allowing pets, with 46% permitting them. However, in more than a third of cases where pets were disallowed, the decision was based on standard templates or advice, rather than individual circumstances.

The benefits of pet-friendly policies extend beyond tenants. Allowing pets could increase tenant retention, with 26% of renters saying they would stay longer in a property if pets were allowed.

Dogs Trust has championed the cause of pet-friendly rentals through its ‘Lets with Pets’ scheme for over a decade, offering guidance to landlords, tenants, and letting agencies. For tips on finding or offering pet-friendly accommodation, visit www.letswithpets.org.uk.

Charity

Dramatic fishing boat rescue is Fishguard RNLI’s first launch of 2025

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FISHGUARD lifeboat crew sprang into action on Monday (Jan 13) after being alerted to a stricken fishing vessel 16 miles north-northwest of Fishguard. With six people onboard and propulsion lost, the situation demanded swift intervention by the RNLI’s dedicated volunteers.

The call came at 11:04am from HM Coastguard, who confirmed no other vessels in the area could provide assistance. Rising to the challenge, the charity’s Trent-class all-weather lifeboat, Blue Peter VII, launched into rough seas, ready to tackle the demanding conditions.

Upon reaching the fishing vessel, the crew conducted a meticulous risk assessment and determined that towing the vessel was the safest option, considering the dangerous combination of the prevailing weather and the drifting boat.

The tow, slow and arduous, lasted four hours, with Blue Peter VII safely guiding the vessel to Fishguard Harbour. Awaiting at the port were additional RNLI volunteers who secured the fishing vessel to the harbour wall.

After seven gruelling hours, the lifeboat and its crew returned to the station, where they prepared the vessel for its next call to action.

Speaking about the rescue, full-time station Coxswain Gemma Gill praised the skipper of the fishing vessel for their quick-thinking response.

“The skipper did the correct thing when realising propulsion had been lost by contacting HM Coastguard,” said Gemma. “Towing is a complex and high-risk operation, especially in challenging conditions. Our crew’s professionalism and dedication ensured a safe outcome for everyone involved.”

She added: “We carry out strict risk assessments before any tow to minimise risks to the crew, lifeboat, and those we’re rescuing. I’m incredibly proud of the team for performing this long tow under difficult circumstances.”

This marks the RNLI Fishguard’s first launch of 2025, showcasing their unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.