On the 9 February Helpforce were delighted to be part of yet another lively discussion full of helpful ideas. Some of our guests already had some very successful activities in place where others wanted to invest in volunteers to support staff and were looking for inspiration.

It was recognised that staff wellbeing is key to a positive patient experience. Some organisations have a staff health & wellbeing team and this can be a useful link for volunteer managers.

Many of you will be aware of Project Wingman the brainchild of two UK airline Captains and a Clinical Psychologist. Two of our guests had Project Wingman lounges set up and they want the legacy to continue. With the furloughed airline staff returning to work new volunteers will replace them.

Quote: “A space to not work is very important.”

Space for a lounge or coffee shop may not be an option for you. One of our guests has set up a trolley taking out drinks, snacks, newspapers and much more to the wards for frontline staff who are not able to take a break and called it “Wellbeing on Wheels”.

Other ideas

• Volunteer-led walks at lunchtime in local parks or green spaces on trust sites.

• Pets as Therapy dogs - always very popular.

• Care packages as gifts.

• Gifts and cakes donated by local businesses can be distributed to staff by volunteers.

• Mindfulness sessions, Yoga and Pilates led by volunteers with relevant skills - can be done online.

• Where possible calming environments as a place to have some downtime, reading rooms or where applicable prayer rooms.

• Set up the space you have as a coffee shop.

• Pop up shops where staff could pick up for example a loaf of bread. Offer reduced prices on some items as well as offer free items that had been donated by the community.

• One trust was lucky enough to have had massage chairs donated.

• Young volunteers under 25. Offer volunteering opportunities to students on beauty courses, performing arts students, trainee counsellors. The Charity, Kissing it Better prior to the pandemic, had students from local colleges do hair, hand massages and performing arts for the patients at Sandwell and West Birmingham.

The volunteers you already have will have loads of skills that you could tap into. Put the question out to the volunteers and ask them how they could contribute.