Alder Hey Charity continues to champion staff wellbeing
Alder Hey Children’s Charity is delighted to continue to fund the ‘Create, Revive, Thrive’ programme by Alder Hey Arts for Health, a series of creative wellbeing sessions available to our hardworking NHS staff and volunteers.
The programme is designed to help relieve stress, boost mental and physical wellbeing, and give staff the opportunity to be creative whilst taking time out for themselves and connecting with their colleagues, both old and new. We are glad that our support has allowed these sessions to be ran free of charge for all Alder Hey staff and volunteers.
One staff member who has benefitted from the programme is Ian Cowley, Technical Support Team Manager at Alder Hey, who attended a workshop led by artist Gemma Longworth, most known for TV’s Find It, Fix It, Flog It. Ian attended the furniture upcycling workshop, which served as an introduction to upcycling where staff could bring in small furniture items from home and transform them using Gemma’s expert tips and tricks.
Speaking on how the sessions helped to bring him out of his comfort zone, Ian said:
“I really appreciate the opportunity the charity and the arts team have given me to be able to spend some time doing something creative and fun for myself. This was really out of my comfort zone and I enjoyed learning new skills surrounded by a fabulous group of staff. I’d highly recommend it.”
Alder Hey Arts Coordinator, Katie O’Callaghan, said:
“This programme, generously funded by Alder Hey Charity supports the physical, mental and emotional health of Alder Hey staff and is totally free to attend. It offers a wide variety of workshops led by professional Artists for people of all abilities to attend. From pottery to painting, capoeira to crafting, movement to mosaics and more recently very popular upcycling macrame classes and a brilliant book club. These free sessions support staff to feel valued, inspired, motivated and a sense of connection with each other. Providing classes with an artistic focus is proven to reduce stress which positively contributes to a work life balance. Many employees have very challenging and demanding roles at Alder Hey, and by taking some time out for themselves to do something new and enjoyable they have felt benefit. We wanted to provide spaces that empower people and give them permission to do something kind and creative for themselves, as they do so much for others every day. Overall, it has been a wonderful way for friendships to form and people’s confidence to grow.”
Alder Hey Children’s Charity would like to thank all its supporters and donors for allowing us to support this incredible staff wellbeing programme, as well as taking the opportunity thank the amazing Arts for Health team for bringing the programme to life for Alder Hey’s wonderful staff and volunteers.
