How we keep going: staff wellbeing during the coronavirus
06 July 2020
There has never been a challenge for staff at Evelina London like working through the coronavirus pandemic. As the pandemic continues, supporting our staff is crucial.
Louise Anderson, Resident Pharmacist, at one of our wellbeing zones.
From clinical staff like the
doctors and nurses, to the porters and housekeeping staff - everyone is
going above and beyond, working under extraordinary circumstances.
A place to unwind and reset
We need to ensure that our extraordinary teams of professionals have space to check in with their physical and mental wellbeing and to decompress after a tough shift. A calming space between work and home. Thanks to your generous support, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and Trust opened six staff wellbeing zones across its hospital and community sites in April 2020.
What’s available in the wellbeing zones
The zones are drop-in spaces in our hospitals and community sites, which staff can visit at their convenience to access psychological support, seek advice for uncertain situations or simply take a comfort break. Thanks to your support, we now have over 200 trained members of staff who can provide mental health first aid and pop-up coaching sessions or an informal, supportive chats.
Staff can also access information and resources about managing stress and sleeping well, use a massage chair or simply take a quiet moment to recharge and enjoy free tea, coffee, snacks and fruit. Of
course, not all staff are working on site during the pandemic, so we
have ensured that staff who are shielding or working remotely can access
virtual wellbeing advice, and online pop-up coaching too.
Since opening we’ve had over 6000 visits to the zones, demonstrating how essential and value they are.
Mindfulness colouring in area. Photo Sam Alner
What the wellbeing zones mean to staff
Having spaces dedicated to wellbeing is already having a positive impact for staff who are providing services, as well as receiving them. Valerie Boso, who has been redeployed to help provide support in the wellbeing zones, says:
‘I have thoroughly enjoyed being in the rest and recharge area at St Thomas’. Staff are blown away when they see the zone for the first time, and what’s on offer for them. An absolutely well needed service for our staff all over the Trust.’
Dr Laura Madeley, Lead Clinical Psychologist for the, Complex Sleep Disorders Service has been involved in managing the zones and providing one-to-one support for staff. Reflecting on the feedback from staff so far, she says:
‘Staff have really valued the wellbeing zones. In my conversations with those attending, staff have appreciated having space to rest and relax off the ward, having something tangible, and having the emotional labour of their work recognised. The zones meet physical needs and give staff permission to think about their own wellbeing.’
Staff’s wellbeing needs are as diverse as they are. From soothing aches and pains through massage therapies, to taking some down time or seeking emotional support - here’s what visitors to wellbeing zones have said:
‘Having the heat lamp on my lower back enabled me to have a better night’s sleep and to feel more relaxed - so thank you.’
‘A fantastic place to chill and zone out from a nurse’s busy day! Highly recommend it to my colleagues.’
‘In a time like this, it’s the little things that matter greatly, and this is a perfect 15 minutes breather. From the massages and aromatherapy to the free snacks and coffee - it all means a great deal!’
‘Thank you so much for providing a safe space to talk and relax. It’s my first time here, and I’ll be back.’
Keeping them going
Your donations have helped create these special areas for our staff - and we want to keep providing wellbeing support, beyond the ongoing pandemic.
But this is not a short term
idea, the new wellbeing zones are part of the overall GSTT and Evelina London Wellbeing
strategy. ‘As the hospitals adjust to a new normal, wanting to ensure
support for staff, and that their wellbeing is a priority will enable
them to continue to provide first-class care to all patients.’
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to take any telephone calls or process any donations by telephone for the immediate and foreseeable future. You can still donate by credit/debit card and/or make a regular gift by Direct Debit. You can also send a cheque too. Thank you very much for your support. We hugely appreciate it.
Go Online through our donation page, make a one-off payment or set up a monthly direct debit.
For a Bank Transfer, please contact our Supporter Care team via email info@supportevelina.org.uk
and we can provide the relevant details.
If you would like to send a donation by cheque, please make this payable to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital Charity, with 'Evelina London' written on the reverse.
If you can include a covering letter with your contact details as well as reasons for donations and what you would like it to be put towards, we will write to you and let you know when the donation has been received.
Please send the cheque to this address:
Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital Fundraising Team Fundraising Team Virginia Woolf Building 22 Kingsway, 2nd Floor London
Can you claim Gift Aid on my donation?
Your donations are only eligible for Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer and we have a record of your postcode and donation amount. You must also tick the Gift Aid box on our sponsorship forms (Virgin Money Giving / Just Giving) or donation page.
Please note that we are unable to claim Gift Aid on ticket sales, raffle sales, corporate sponsorship, and sale of goods or auction proceeds.
Can I donate to a specific ward/department within the hospital?
If you would like to help a specific ward or department, we will do our best to find the most appropriate fund for your donation to go towards.
Please note that once a donation has been allocated to a specific fund, we are unable to change this at a later date.
Please also provide some basic information about the item, including how old the item is and we will then be able to confirm if the hospital is able to accept the item.
Please note that we are unable to accept soft toys and toys that cannot be easily cleaned.
If you would like to discuss this more to find out how we can help, please call our Supporter Care team via info@supportevelina.org.uk.
What is your charity number?
Evelina London is part of Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital so does not have a separate registered charity number.
The charity number for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity is 1160316.
What happens to my personal details?
All the personal information about our supporters we collect is processed and stored in accordance with GDPR 2018, and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations. This includes, but is not limited to, the Privacy and Electronic Communication Regulations (PECR).
If you need a new tin, collection bucket or security seal sticker, then please let us know by contacting us via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can send a replacement out to you. Please note, we currently have limited stock on some items, and there may be some delays with deliveries.
Do you accept donations of clothing?
Clean, plain clothing for adults and children are accepted, items such as jogging bottoms and sweatshirts are ideal. Used underwear is not accepted.
Thank you to everyone who has offered knitted bonding squares for our Neonatal Unit. We’ll let you know if we need more in future but for now, we have plenty. We’ve had so many offers our cupboards are overflowing!
How can I volunteer?
Fundraising volunteers are vital to our work at Guy's and St Thomas’ Hospital Charity. You can volunteer with us on events, awareness days, in general or even work with the Fundraising Team.
All our opportunities support our fundraising work and activities, we do not organise volunteering within the hospital. If this is what you are interested in please visit the Guy’s and St Thomas' volunteering page.
Policy for returning donations
We work hard to ensure you have the best supporter journey when you make a donation. Unfortunately, under charity law (The Charities Act 2011) we are unable to refund donations, other than in specific circumstances.
If you believe that a donation you have made should be refunded then please contact via email at info@supportevelina.org.uk and we can advise on what we can do.
Well done Tony, you are a truely amazing little soul!
Tony! What an inspiration you are, so young, so brave and doing incredible things. Keep going and well done for absolutely smashing your target; it is going to an amazing cause and we love watching your journey. You can do it! X x
Dear Tony, what a beautiful, special, precious little boy you are. You are very brave and strong. You are an inspiration to us all. I hope your legs feel good and help you take on your challenge. You can do it!!👍🥰 I've donated because you made me so proud. Lots of love always Jude xxx
You are such an amazing superhero! Keep up the wonderful things you are doing!😀👍🚑🏃
Well done Tony on your 10km walk. We followed your progress. You are a brave little boy. We wish you well! Love xx
You are amazing and an inspiration to everyone - there's nothing you can't do or achieve in this life! Thank you so much
Caroline and Sarah, at The Cardiology Kids launch party in the park
George with his family
Thank you for everything you are doing. So proud of our NHS - heroes don’t all wear capes! Thank you for everything you do for us all and keep as safe as you can all of you. xx
You are all heroes and should be proud of yourselves as we are of you. No words of thanks can ever express the debt of gratitude.
You have looked after my daughter with such care, too which I am eternally grateful. Thank you.
I had my cancer treatment there, undoubtedly saved my life. Thank you.
I was born at Guy's hospital in 1974, and was treated in St Thomas' in 2003, where I was seriously ill for 13 weeks. Thank you for not only giving me life, but saving it too! X
Guy's and St Thomas' have looked after me so well over many years. Thank you for all those years and for everything you are doing in an unimaginably difficult time. Thinking of you and your families at this time. x
You saved my life when I had cancer. Thank you for then and thank you for now. x
The NHS saved my wife’s life 3 times. We love the nurses, doctors, specialists, secretaries - everyone. You are heroes. Sending hope and love.
You are all amazing and will be remembered in history. Stay strong.
Thank you isn’t enough, so a thousand times more.
You are all amazing and do an incredible job. Filled with gratitude and heartfelt thanks.
You are all phenomenal. Thank you so much.
Wishing you well during this crisis. You are all heroes and deserve the support of the whole nation.
From one nurse to all the others all over the world fighting Covid-19 and all the health professionals, I know this word and term is overused but this time it is a real meaning in the truest form of the word: You are all LEGENDS!
How can we ever repay you for what you are doing for us? Thinking of you all. The NHS means everything. Make sure you're looking after your own wellbeing as much as possible. Take care x
You are all genuine heroes. Each and every one of you!
You are all wonderful, heroic people. You save lives every day and you really, really make a difference. We salute you and send big hugs to keep you going. xx