Health and Wellbeing Champions
The NHS People Plan outlines the ambition to enable NHS organisations to create cultures of wellbeing across their organisations, through encouraging wellbeing conversations and the introduction of networks of Health and Wellbeing Champions.
What are Health and Wellbeing Champions?
Health and Wellbeing Champions are individuals who work at all levels of the NHS, from all demographics and roles, who will promote, identify and signpost their colleagues to local and national health and wellbeing support offers. This is intended to be taken on as a responsibility in addition to their day to day role.
Many organisations may already have similar roles in place, using alternative names such as health and wellbeing allies, advocates or officers.
Who can be a Health and Wellbeing Champion?
A Health and Wellbeing Champion role is not intended to be a full time, new or paid role within an organisation. It is intended to be filled by colleagues within an organisation or team, who have a particular interest in health and wellbeing and who are keen to support the wellbeing of their colleagues. This could include colleagues who work in similar roles already, such as occupational health teams, HR, health and wellbeing teams or local staff networks.
We would encourage the Champions are appointed from a range of roles across the organisation, covering a variety of grades, and who have capacity and support from their line manager to be a Champion.
What support is available to me as a Champion?
Alongside any local support your organisation has put in place, NHS England and NHS Improvement are offering a monthly development programme for Champions, with themed online learning sessions and the opportunity to join a safe space where you can share learning with other Champions. A list of the upcoming development sessions is as below. Simply click on the date to sign up.
Date | Theme |
12pm-1.30pm, 25 May 2022 | Introduction to the menopause – raising awareness |
12pm-1pm, 9 June 2022 | Evaluating the role of health and wellbeing champions in your organisation |
12pm-1pm, 16 June 2022 | Looking after your physical health and encouraging others to do so |
12.30-3.30pm, 6 July 2022 | Health and wellbeing champions celebration event |
12-1pm, 14 July 2022 | Enhancing safety and reducing violence for NHS staff |
12-1pm, 2 August 2022 | NHS x Headspace: An introduction to the science of mindfulness and meditation |
12-1pm, 18 August 2022 | Creating cultures of kindness and compassion |
12pm-1pm, 15 September 2022 | Supporting colleagues with financial difficulties and managing money |
12pm-1pm, 13 October 2022 | The value of a wellbeing conversation- recognising the signs of burnout |
12pm-1pm, 1 November 2022 | NHS x Headspace: Supporting those going through the menopause |
12pm-1pm, 17 November 2022 | Supporting the health and wellbeing of your male colleagues |
12pm-1pm, 15 December 2022 | Being inclusive over the festive period |
12pm-1pm, 19 January 2023 | Supporting your colleagues with their emotional wellbeing |
12pm-1pm, 16 February 2023 | Your personal development – what’s next for you as a Champion? |
12pm-1pm, 16 March 2023 | Celebrating success, two years of HWB Champions |
All Champions can also become a member of our closed online community of practice, to network with other Champions, and share ideas and ask questions. You can request access the online community of practice through the NHS Futures site here.
Understanding your role – an e-learning module
NHS England and NHS Improvement have worked with a number of NHS colleagues to develop an optional e-learning module for Health and Wellbeing Champions to complete, to support them in understanding the remit of their role. This training can be access on the Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare website.