October Updates – Health and Wellbeing

Here are the latest updates from our Health and Wellbeing team for October, including upcoming wellbeing sessions, this month’s spotlight on transitions, World Menopause Day, seasonal self-care ideas and upcoming awareness days.

To read our full October newsletter, please click here.

Spotlight on: Transitions

October brings a season of change – darker mornings, shifting landscapes and, for many, personal transitions too. This month’s spotlight looks at how both seasonal and personal transitions affect our wellbeing, and why protecting the basics – daylight exposure, sleep, movement and social connection – makes such a difference when things are shifting around us.

Transitions are a normal part of life, and this issue also highlights menopause as one significant example, with October marking World Menopause Day. Having the right information and support can make a real difference in navigating this transition with confidence.

Sue Thomas, ANP Ambassador and Menopause Action Plan Lead, shared: “I am incredibly proud to work alongside a multidisciplinary team committed to improving menopause awareness, education and support across our general practice workforce. By working collaboratively across clinical, managerial, personalised care, HR, EDI and wellbeing roles, we are turning commitment into meaningful action through education, manager training, menopause champions, improved signposting and a new menstruation and menopause policy.

Together, we are creating more informed and supportive workplaces, while helping colleagues feel more confident discussing menopause and providing compassionate, evidence-informed patient care. This World Menopause Month, I would like to thank everyone contributing to this important work.”

We’re also pleased to introduce Serena Horton, our newest Menopause Champion and Health & Wellbeing Coach, to the Health and Wellbeing Champion team.

Winter Preparation & Planning

As the nights draw in, this month’s newsletter focuses on building seasonal resilience ahead of winter. Ideas include getting outside for daylight exposure, keeping a consistent sleep routine, staying active, maintaining social connections, eating mindfully (including vitamin D), booking winter vaccinations, staying hydrated and making time for rest.

Take a look at the full newsletter for practical ways to build these habits into your October.

Awareness Days

The October newsletter also highlights:

World Menopause Day

Learning Opportunities

There are a range of wellbeing, peer support and development opportunities available during October:

  • Peer Support Menopause & Menstruation Monday: Sleep – Monday 5 October, 12:30–13:15
  • Work Well Webinar: Job Responsibility Clarity – Tuesday 13 October, 12:30–13:15
  • Action for Happiness with Shahroo Izadi: Self-Kindness – Wednesday 14 October, 19:00–20:00
  • Thursday Thrive & Revive: Supporting Others’ Wellbeing – Thursday 22 October, 12:30–13:15
  • Parental Leave Support Network – Parenting Support Circle – Friday 23 October, 10:30–12:00
  • Carer Support Network – Friday 23 October, 12:00–13:30

For support or to speak to the Health and Wellbeing Champion team, contact crgpa.wellbeing.cwth@nhs.net.