HealthFest is an annual event which showcases the services that Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides as well as the fantastic voluntary sector organisations. It has centred around various themes including 'Living Well Through Activity', 'Thriving with Nature', and 'Reflect and Recover'. The first HealthFest was held in 2018. 

In addition to the public events, there are activities held for Oxford Health staff.  These have included coaching, origami, Indian cookery, seated dance, military fitness, gardening, wellbeing through art and African hiphop to name a few. 

Some feedback from staff on taking part in the Healthfest activities

"Loved it - so peaceful and calming"

"I feel enlightened and ready to take the next steps on my wellness journey"

I felt empowered to begin challenging some of my negative thoughts.

"I felt inspired to try cooking the dish demonstrated"

"Felt relaxed, full of love and peace to start the working day"

"The session was fun and energetic, it made me feel happy and allowed me to switch off from work for half an hour."

"I want more!"

Previous projects 

Resilience Training

The Older People’s Directorate introduced a set of resilience training sessions for their staff following funding agreed by the Charity Committee. The aim of the workshops were to:

• Help team members feel well equipped to manage their energy and wellbeing, and to support their colleagues
• Help people understand why they may react differently to stress, and what we can do to support them
• Learn practical methods to apply to teams under pressure

They also provided a space to talk through personal approaches to stress management and reflect on how stress impacted on them in and out of the workplace.

Most feedback showed increased feelings of resilience following the workshops and a better understanding of how to manage stress for themselves and others.  The training has been recognised as having a positive impact on staff wellbeing and other directorates have been developing their own approaches to resilience training throughout the year.