This spring, get support from the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service as we remind colleagues about the range of activities and resources available to help reduce stress and improve positive wellbeing.
Find out more on this page about support that is available for your finances, details of site visits across the season, plus a timetable of events for the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week, 12- 18 May.
Mental Health Awareness Week happens every year, and it's the biggest opportunity for the whole of the UK to come together to focus on getting good mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others' mental health.
Money can be a significant source of stress and worry, find out about support available to help your Financial Wellbeing.
Debt Awareness
Visit the Debt Awareness YourSpace page for resources to support you manage debt.
HealthHero and PayPlan
Check out the range of support available from HealthHero and PayPlan, including a telephone helpline.
Money and Mental Health
You can listen to a short Money and Mental Health webinar produced by your Wellbeing Team, full of practical advice and tips to support you manage your finances, whilst also protecting your mental health.
Handling the challenges that life and work can throw at us can have a significant impact on our wellbeing. We are providing a range of activities, sessions and resources to support you handle stress and help prevent burn out. The team will also be visiting sites to talk to colleagues at their bases.
Site visits
Come along to our pop-up Wellbeing spaces taking place across the Trust this spring. We will be joined by members of our Physiotherapy and Psychological Therapies teams so you can find out more about how Occupational Health and Wellbeing can support you. See initial dates in the table below and you can request a visit.
| Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 2 April | Room 4, First Floor, Leigh Moss Hospital | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 9 April | Netherton Health Centre | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 23 April | Health Education Room, Bootle Health Centre | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 30 April | Room 1, First Floor, Hartley Hospital | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 7 May | Ground Floor Meeting Room, Longmoor House | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 21 May | Meeting Room 1, Ground Floor, Queens Drive Family Health Centre | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 4 June |
North Entry Building, Ashworth High Secure Hospital |
11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 11 June | Boardroom (1st floor) Nutgrove Villa, Huyton, L36 6GA | 11am-2pm |
| Wednesday 18 June |
Dining Area in Eleanor House, Rathbone Hospital |
11am-2pm |
Get moving to manage stress
Exercise can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Find out how to be more active with the NHS Better Health campaign.
Group programmes and workshops
Over Stress Awareness Month in April, we will be holding weekly Stress Management Workshops.
Starting on 3 April, our four week mindfulness programme is designed for people who are looking to integrate mindfulness more firmly into their everyday life for a more open, positive outlook and improved wellbeing.
Try our sleep support sessions to help you rest after a stressful shift.
Since 2001, the Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week - bringing the UK together to focus on getting good mental health. This year, the week takes place from 12 to 18 May 2025 and the theme is 'community'.
Having meaningful connections and feeling part of a safe, positive community is key for positive mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with others and being part of supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone.
Below you can find out about supportive communities here at Mersey Care and see a timetable of events for Mental Health Awareness Week.
Timetable of events for Mental Health Awareness Week 
| Date | Time | Event | Booking link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 12 May | 10am-2pm |
Mini Health Checks at Work - V7 Building (Trust Headquarters) Health checks empower you to understand your current level of general health and fitness. Our mini health checks give you the option of a range of measures and you'll also receive personalised wellbeing advice. |
Click here to book an appointment |
| Monday 12 May | 11am-1pm |
Wellbeing conversations with a Health and Wellbeing Facilitator The Health and Wellbeing Facilitators are part of the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service and are in post to support you and your wellbeing goals. They can help you to assess your lifestyle and work with you to develop an action plan for improved wellbeing. This could include promoting the benefits of eating healthily, menopause support, stress management techniques and much more. The facilitators work across all our sites and can provide support in a flexible way. |
Book an appointment on OPAS |
| Monday 12 May | 1pm-2pm |
This Teams session is designed to compliment our existing menopause support. They purpose to provide information about how menopause can affect life, relationships and work, whilst also providing practical advice for the things you can do to help with symptoms. |
Book a place for this session |
| Monday 12 May | 2pm-2.45pm |
Manager Mondays Wellbeing Programme We’re inviting you to join a series of wellbeing sessions designed to support managers take steps towards better self-care and develop awareness of where to get support for you and your teams. |
Book a place for this session |
| Tuesday 13 May | 9am-12pm |
Mini Health Checks at Work - Hollins Park Health checks empower you to understand your current level of general health and fitness. Our mini health checks give you the option of a range of measures and you'll also receive personalised wellbeing advice. |
Click here to book an appointment |
| Tuesday 13 May | 12pm-12.30pm |
Some of us now have the opportunity to work from home, either full time or as part of hybrid working. This short session is designed to support you with how to look after yourself - both mentally and physically whilst working from home. Each session will last around 30 minutes and is delivered over Teams. |
Book a place for this session |
| Tuesday 13 May | 2pm-2.45pm |
This group session is designed to help you get a good night's sleep. We all have times when we find it hard to fall asleep or find ourselves waking up feeling unrested. How we sleep and how much sleep we need is different for all of us, but if you are regularly have problems sleeping, you may benefit from some simple steps you can take to improve your sleep hygiene, get into a daily routine and ease those restless nights. |
Book a place for this session |
| Tuesday 13 May | 4.30pm-5.15pm |
Yoga class at Hollins Park Health and Wellbeing Centre The new physiotherapist-led stretch and relaxation exercise class for staff. Take some time out to relax, reset, and look after your physical and mental wellbeing! |
Complete the indemnity form and attach to your booking request email |
| Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May |
Mental Health First Aid- Hollins Park Hospital Develop skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health on this 2 day course. Occupational Health and Wellbeing Services are running courses on behalf of the organisation, with the aim of training more colleagues to be able to support the mental wellbeing of staff within the Trust |
Book your place here | |
| Wednesday 14 May | 11am-11:45am |
In this stress management workshop we will outline what stress is and how it works, the effect it has on our mental health and ultimately, how to reduce stress levels and prevent burnout. If you’re looking to build resilience, or to focus on creating healthy coping strategies to improve wellbeing, this short 45 minute session will provide you with the necessary information and tools to make an effective start. |
Book a place for this session |
| Wednesday 14 May | 12pm-12.45pm |
Thriving together: The Power of Teams and Belonging for Mental Health In this session we will explore the profound impact that a sense of belonging can have on our mental wellbeing. We will discuss how working together as a team can enhance our resilience, reduce stress and create a more positive workplace. We will share insights and practical strategies to help us all thrive together. Why attend?
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| Wednesday 14 May | 12.30pm-1pm |
Open to staff who have experience of mindfulness or want to reconnect with practice |
Join the meeting now |
| Wednesday 14 May | 1pm-1.30pm |
HSBC Financial Wellbeing Webinars How To Check Your Credit Score-undersanding your credit score can be challenging. This presentation breaks it down, explaining how it's calculated and what it means for you. |
Book here |
| Thursday 15 May | 4pm-4.30pm |
Open to any member of staff new to mindfulness or with experience |
Join the meeting now |
| Friday 16 May | 11am-2pm |
Wellbeing conversations with a Health and Wellbeing Facilitator The Health and Wellbeing Facilitators are part of the Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service and are in post to support you and your wellbeing goals. They can help you to assess your lifestyle and work with you to develop an action plan for improved wellbeing. This could include promoting the benefits of eating healthily, menopause support, stress management techniques and much more. The facilitators work across all our sites and can provide support in a flexible way. |
Book an appointment on OPAS |
| Friday 16 May | 12pm-12.15pm |
Wellbeing Walk- Hollins Park Brisk walks have been proven to improve our mental and physical health. Join a guided walk around the Hollins Park site this lunchtime. |
No booking required. Meet outside Hospital Main Entrance. |
Supportive communities here at Mersey Care
Here you can find out more about a range of services at networks within the Trust, in place to support your wellbeing.
Freedom to Speak Up Guardians
Freedom to Speak Up Guardians can help us improving our working environment for our colleagues and our service users by encouraging staff to speak up and be listened to.
Mental Health First Aid and Wellbeing Advocates
Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAiders) receive training to develop skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, provide a listening ear and signpost to further support. We have 200 MHFAiders across our Trust.
Wellbeing Advocates are in place to promote, encourage, listen and signpost colleagues to all services available through the Staff Wellbeing Hub.
Mersey Cares
Our dedicated charity, Mersey Cares, has partnered with Occupational Health and Wellbeing and the NHS Northwest Games to bring you an exciting month long step challenge, getting underway in May.
Menopause Champions and forums
We want to create an atmosphere where people can talk comfortably and respectfully about menopause.
We also want to educate all staff about the subject and how they can support each other and enable reasonable adjustments. Find out more about our Menopause support.
Staff Networks
Staff Networks provide a vital opportunity for connection, inclusion and peer support for a range of colleague communities and themes
