Here are the latest updates from our Health and Wellbeing team for September, including upcoming wellbeing sessions, practical ideas for making a fresh start this autumn, self-care resources, awareness days and an introduction to our growing Health and Wellbeing Champion team.

To read our full September newsletter, please click here.

Health and Wellbeing Champions

Our Health and Wellbeing Champion team is here to support colleagues across General Practice with their health and wellbeing, whether you need a confidential conversation, help finding the right support or something more tailored for your team.

Support available includes individual conversations with a Champion, regular peer support sessions and bespoke team support around areas such as stress, burnout prevention, time management and the Five Ways to Wellbeing.

This month, the newsletter also introduces members of our Champion team, with Sarah, Jonathon, Sue, Serena, Hollie and Laura sharing a little about themselves and what wellbeing means to them. New team members Caron, Elaura, Emma and Helen will also be introduced in future editions.

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

Spotlight on: The Science of Fresh Starts

Why can September sometimes feel more like a new beginning than January?

This month’s spotlight explores the fresh start effect and how changes in routine, seasons and familiar milestones can make it easier to reset and make positive changes.

Rather than relying on motivation or setting ambitious goals, the focus is on small, achievable actions that can become part of everyday life – from taking a short walk at lunchtime or stepping outside with your morning coffee, to pausing for three deep breaths before a meeting.

The newsletter also explores practical approaches including habit stacking, making healthy choices easier through our environment and remembering that action can often create motivation, rather than waiting for motivation before getting started.

What is one small thing you could begin this September that your future self would thank you for?

Self-Care September

The Action for Happiness Self-Care September calendar offers a simple wellbeing action for every day of the month.

Ideas range from making time for something you enjoy and getting active outdoors to asking for help when you need it, slowing down and being kinder to yourself.

Take a look at the calendar in this month’s newsletter and see which small actions you could build into your September.

Awareness Days

The September newsletter also highlights a number of awareness events and campaigns taking place during the month, including:

  • National Inclusion Week
  • World Suicide Prevention Day
  • ESEA Heritage Month
  • Organ Donation Week
  • Migraine Awareness Week
  • International Day of Sign Languages
  • World Pharmacists Day
  • Pension Awareness
  • Occupational Health Awareness Week
  • Blood Pressure awareness
Learning Opportunities

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