More than 330 on-site counselling sessions have helped to improve Sodexo healthcare employees’ psychological and emotional health.

The service, launched in June, was designed to help frontline keyworkers, supervisory and management employees deal with the pressures of working through the COVID-19 pandemic and improve their quality of life.

Employees have used the sessions to discuss issues across their work and personal lives, with feedback including:

•    It’s helped me to take back control
•    I feel understood
•    I can just be myself
•    I can express my emotions

Security Officer Craig Evans, Integrative Counsellor Natalie Brayford, Sodexo Business Director Ruth Freeman and University Hospitals of North Midlands Chief Executive Tracy Bullock spoke about the service:

 

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Stuart Winters, Sodexo Healthcare UK & Ireland CEO, said:

Our team has consistently performed their jobs at the highest level. We recognise the importance of supporting our healthcare workforce and helping to alleviate some of the pressure of working through a global pandemic. 

“The counselling approach was developed by our learning and development team following a review into the global pandemic response of Sodexo and designed to compliment our existing range of health and wellbeing tools.”

The counselling trial was rolled out at several Sodexo healthcare contracts, mostly at acute hospitals, including University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust. 

Tracy Bullock, Chief Executive, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust said: “What greater thing can we do for the wellbeing of staff? I am wholly supportive of the service. For staff on the frontline to be able to speak to someone who is trained who can listen to them and support them is a phenomenal success.”

Initially launched on a three-month trial, it has been extended to April 2021 following its success.

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