By Mark Story, Head of Learning Innovation
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As someone who has worked in health and social care for years, I know first-hand just how much care workers give of themselves to support others. It’s a challenging job that requires a great deal of compassion, empathy, and resilience. But in order to provide the best care possible, care workers need to prioritise their own inner wellness too.
Early in the pandemic, I started reading articles about mental health being the “second pandemic” and, sadly, I’ve seen this first-hand. Many people I know have been struggling with their mental health, and reports show that the pandemic has taken a toll on the population at large. But as care workers specifically, the demands of the job can exacerbate any existing mental health issues and make it more challenging to cope.
I was recently involved in a podcast series that examined the staffing crisis in health and social care. Care workers are often understaffed and underpaid, which puts immense pressure on them and negatively impacts their mental health. It’s a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.
That’s why I’m excited about our new suite of online wellness modules available on the FuturU platform, completely free for anyone to use. These modules are designed to support the mental and emotional wellness of care workers. They cover a wide range of topics such as mindfulness, stress management, and self-care. They’re a valuable resource for anyone looking to prioritise their inner wellness, no matter where they are on their wellness journey. We also now include optional wellness modules inside all of our new course releases. These are mini modules designed to give a little inspiration for self-care.
Taking care of oneself is often easier said than done, especially in a high-pressure work environment like health and social care. But I truly believe that by making wellness a priority, care workers can not only take better care of themselves but also provide better care to their clients.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with a care worker who exemplifies the importance of self-care. Her name is Sarah, and she’s been working in health and social care for over a decade. When I asked her about the importance of self-care, she shared a story that stuck with me.
One day, Sarah was feeling particularly exhausted and overwhelmed after a long day of work. She was supposed to go to a yoga class that evening, but she was so tired that she didn’t feel like going. She forced herself to go anyway, and as she moved through the poses and focused on her breath, she felt her stress and anxiety melting away. By the end of the class, she felt recharged and rejuvenated, ready to take on the rest of the week.
Sarah’s story illustrates just how important it is for care workers to prioritize their own wellness. When we’re busy taking care of others, it’s easy to forget that we need care too. But by taking even small steps to prioritise our own wellness, we can become better equipped to handle the challenges that come with the job.
And that’s where the wellness modules on the FuturU platform come in. These modules are designed to be accessible and easy to use, even for those with busy schedules. Whether you’re looking to learn more about mindfulness or stress management, or you simply want to carve out some time for self-care, there’s a module on the FuturU platform that can help.
Ultimately, care workers play a vital role in our communities, and it’s important that we support them in any way we can. By prioritising their own wellness, care workers can provide better care to their clients and create a more sustainable and fulfilling work environment. So if you’re a care worker, or if you know someone who is, I encourage you to check out the wellness modules on the FuturU platform and see how they can support you on your journey to inner wellness.
