Your staff health and wellbeing guide for all your physical health, mental wellbeing, financial and spiritual needs
Wellbeing Healthand
Your magazine was ‘highly commended’ at NHS Communicate for communications team health and wellbeing award.
Dear colleagues,
A warm welcome once again to our latest issue of your Health and Wellbeing magazine.
This autumn has turned out to be quite a busy one with more ongoing group changes (along with the change in weather) and the launch of some very important group campaigns in our annual calendar.
Our staff survey has been sent out to everyone by email and I really do encourage you to respond, have your say, and to let us know how we can improve your work life. Receiving your feedback can have a massive impact on your overall wellbeing by helping to shape our focus for the year ahead and supports positive change for our patients.
Our annual vaccination programmes also began in earnest at the start of October and I’m really passionate about encouraging staff to look after their own health and that of those around them, by protecting themselves against the flu and COVID-19 (see campaign on page 7).
As the dark nights start to close in, this transitional autumn season is usually marked by staying indoors a bit more and keeping yourself cosy. But with that comes worries around the stretch on finances in the coming months.
With that in mind, we have our upcoming annual ‘Festival of Finance’ events in November across both of our trusts. These are designed to offer pastoral support and to link you in with important companies who can offer advice in areas such as financial pressures, carer responsibilities and getting your car winter ready.
Keep an eye out in your staff bulletin for when the festival will be coming to you.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading about your colleagues and their broad range of hobbies, wellbeing habits and charitable achievements with a steaming hot cup of your favourite beverage.
Best wishes,
Stacey Hunter Group Chief Executive
S CALLING
Long before Derek Watson found himself working for North Tees and Hartlepool, he was the drummer for The Limps – an Annan-based punk band he formed with his three schoolmates in 1978.
Derek has since swapped out the drumsticks for decontamination, as head of the service for NTH Solutions.
With, let’s say, limited success in the late 70s and early 80s, The Limps have recently found themselves in headlines after one of their songs made its way onto the soundtrack of a 2024 comedy flick. We sat down with Derek to find out how their 1979 song ‘Someone I can Talk to’ ended up in Snack Shack…
(to the faraway towns...)
There were four of us – me (Dee Dee), Norman (Chuck Abnormal), Andy (Andy Septic) and Tom (Tam Limp). We used to hang out and listen to punk records so it felt natural to start our own fanzine, Dead on Arrival. From there, the next step was ‘Well, why don’t we just start our own band?’
We started out in Andy’s bedroom. He could already play guitar so he was our professional and he taught Chuck, our bass player, some notes and riffs. I couldn’t play anything so the obvious choice for me was to play drums.
You don’t have to be a fantastic drummer to be in a band. I used to practice on tubs and biscuit tins – you have to use what you’ve got, haven’t you? The whole idea of punk to us was just about getting up and doing it. It was a state of mind, a way of life, the idea that nothing’s going to stop you.
What’s the story behind The Limps?
We all went to primary school together in Annan, just over the Scottish border near Carlisle. As we grew up a bit and punk came along, we just found that we had a shared interest in the music. It was really exciting times. It was 1977 and I was 20 – the perfect age – and old enough to get into pubs to see all the punk bands.
The first song we wrote was called ‘Inhale Exhale’. Then the next obvious step was to make a record – so we all chipped in £50 each, hired a transit van and went to a studio in Hull to record. It printed 500 copies – we probably only sold about 50 and just gave most of them away. We brought out two more records, including ‘Someone I can Talk to’. Then we played our last gig 1980, folded and went our separate ways to live our lives.
Any standout stories from gigging?
Obviously we played lots of gigs and they were all fun. We were playing the City Hall in Carlisle and they had a little raised platform for the drum kit. And of course, I used to hit the drums – like really hit them – and they kept falling off. So two of our mates came on and had to physically hold the drums for the rest of our set.
Another time, we supported Angelic Upstarts – who were a big punk band – and there was a bit of a kerfuffle on the dancefloor while we were playing. We didn’t know what was happening, we assumed it was a fight. But it was actually a couple getting… we’ll say a bit too romantic on the dancefloor. And we figured, hey, at least we’ve set something off in people. I just wish I had the newspaper cutting.
It was all good times and in quite a short space of time really when I think about it. It’s 45 years ago now and it was all crammed into a couple of years.
So, how did one of your songs wind up in a teen comedy movie more than 45 years later?
The Limps have always kept in touch. We’re still good mates and we played the odd gig here and there, but generally The Limps had radio silence until last year.
Then we got a message from the musical director of a movie called Snack Shack.
The writer and director, Adam Rehmeier, was streaming songs and came across our song – ‘Someone I can Talk to’. The music and the lyrics just clicked with him and that’s the song he wanted. It was so out of the blue for us. But the local rags in Carlisle and Annan picked up on it, then The Sun contacted some of the guys in the band and did a spread on it, and it just snowballed.
The movie’s about two teens in 1991 running a swimming pool snack shack. Why did ‘Someone I can Talk to’ resonate so much with the writer?
We all need somebody to talk to. That’s what the song’s about. When you talk about mental health and wellbeing, communication is key and everybody can talk to somebody. The opening lyrics are “There must be someone I can talk to about this, I never realised how much friendship could be missed”. And looking back, I’ve known these guys for 45 years or longer in some cases, and we’ve all been there for each other.
The whole story of Snack Shack is about friendship. It’s about two kids in 1991, it’s about The Limps in 1979, it’s about everyone. If there’s a message, it’s just speak to somebody – there’s help out there.
What’s next for The Limps?
Well, there’s talk about us playing The Hope and Anchor in London in November. Everybody’s played there – The Police, The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Damned. I don’t know whether we’re all up to touring anymore or even playing more than one gig. We’re all about the same age – 67, 68 – so it’s Grandad rock now.
Then there’s a German record label who’s contacted us. They want to release a limited edition LP of all our songs.
We’ll wait and see whether any of that comes off. But there’s a historical society based in a museum in Annan, where we come from, and they’re doing an exhibition of performing arts and wanted to include The Limps. They contacted our bass player earlier this year so we sent then loads of stuff. The local cinema in Annan is also showing the Snack Shack movie on the same weekend.
Listen to Someone I Can Talk To by The Limps:
Reaching for her goals
After picking up her first netball aged 11, diagnostic radiographer Tracey Martin quickly fell in love with the sport that has seen her shoot goals at regional level and build a team of life-long friends.
Tracey was a permanent fixture on the court throughout her school and sixth form life starting at club level and progressing to county and regional tournaments, she thanks her favourite PE teacher, Miss Smith for inviting her to join an adult league club aged 15.
After moving to Teesside to start work at James Cook in 2002, Tracey jumped at the chance of joining Pursglove netball club and now is now following in the footsteps of her teacher, by inspiring others to take up the sport.
What do you love about netball?
Netball provides so many physical and mental health benefits and playing keeps me fit but in an enjoyable way. It has developed my stamina and balance, improved my agility and allowed me to switch off from everyday life. When I came to Teesside, I knew no-one but joining Pursglove netball club really helped me feel that I belonged and I can proudly say that I have met some friends for life.
Can you tell us more about Purgslove netball club?
The club is inclusive of all skill levels and abilities and is open to everyone from the age of 18. Although netball can be played by all genders, Pursglove is all female. We play in two leagues and train Thursday nights at Eston Sports Centre with a fully qualified coach.
The Cleveland league is more competitive and sees us playing at a few different venues throughout the area. Whereas the Teesside netball league is more sociable and is for new players, those coming back to the sport or recovering from injury and all matches are held locally at Middlesbrough Sports Village.
Does the club hold any social events?
It does. We actually have a dedicated social secretary who organises lots of fun activities for us to do together, including days out, meals and our annual end of season awards. We recently held a dinner event to celebrate a 26-mile hiking challenge some of us had completed in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.
Are you looking for new members to join the club?
We are always on the lookout for new players so anyone wanting to join or have a taster session is welcome to join us.
Where can we join you?
When: Thursdays, 7pm to 8:30pm
Where: Eston Sports Centre, TS6 9AE
Price: First session is free then £30 a month, thereafter
Contact:
Tracey Martin: tracey.martin1@nhs.net
Lauren Coulton: 07842 508640
Find us on Instagram: @pursglove_netball
Our annual Flu and COVID campaign began in October and we’re asking colleagues to consider getting their vaccines at their earliest opportunity.
Shield yourself from the flu
Staff working within healthcare are more exposed to the flu virus in their day to day work and can risk passing it on to colleagues, family and patients.
You can also still be a carrier of the virus even if you have no symptoms, and having the jab before the flu virus starts circulating can offer you protection by helping to develop your immunity to the bug.
That’s why we’re saying NO THANK YOU to FLU this year and asking staff to protect themselves by getting their flu jab.
Don’t let COVID get in your way
Getting vaccinated is the best way we have to protect yourself and those around you.
COVID-19 can be life-threatening and is spread more easily in winter. During the winter months, we spend more time indoors or in crowded spaces and are more likely to catch and spread the virus.
Flu champions
Peer vaccinators will be out and about on wards and departments, supporting the vaccine roll out at North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees trusts.
Drop in clinics
Colleagues from across both trusts can have their flu and COVID jabs at a number of drop in clinics throughout the winter season.
There is no booking to get in your way – just turn up at one of the promoted session times and fill in a quick form for our vaccinators.
You will be asked for your NHS Number (if you know it) and your payroll number. Your NHS number can be found online and your payroll number can be found by looking on your payslip through ESR.
So don’t delay and join us in saying no thank you to flu or COVID-19 this year.
Simply scan the QR code below to be directed to the relevant flu timetable:
SOUTH
TEES CLINICS NORTH TEES AND HARTLEPOOL CLINICS
Women on a mission
Supporting fellow colleagues with health and wellbeing
Following a battle with breast cancer and struggles with her own mental health, Shirley Berry, has made it her mission as wellbeing co-ordinator for main outpatients at James Cook to ensure her staff look after their health and wellbeing.
She set out with the hope of just inspiring one person but it’s clear to see from her bags of positivetea, mindfulness colouring challenges and advent calendars of kindness that she has done more than that.
And over at the North Tees integrated coordination centre, trusted assessor Julie Weldrake brings together a team who work, well, all over the place. Julie is one of a network of health and wellbeing champions at North Tees and Hartlepool who work closely with staff support services to ensure their colleagues are happy and healthy at work.
She was first approached by her line manager about supporting the team with their wellbeing due to her personable and ‘happy-go-lucky’ nature.
We couldn’t wait to sit down with the Shirley and Julie to find what they’re doing to support their colleagues…
What type of things do you do to help staff health and wellbeing?
Shirley: I create wellness gifts bags for staff to celebrate seasonal holidays and awareness days and fill them with mindfulness treats including meditation candles, motivational sticky notes, guardian angels, relaxing beauty products and worry thumb stones.
As menopause lead for the department, I have introduced bags of positive-tea filled with herbal teas for staff to enjoy along with Feather and Down beauty products which have been proven to help with sleep.
Julie: For me, it mostly comes down to one-on-one conversations for people to vent, get the support they need and to feel a bit calmer. A good cup of tea never goes amiss either. On occasion, they’ll need some extra help so I’m here to guide them in the right direction, with support from Helen Waller, our health and wellbeing coordinator.
I’m a definite people person and I’d gotten to know the team inside and out even before becoming a champion. The team, even our newer colleagues, know that they can come to me in confidence – and it’s amazing to know that they’ve got that trust in me.
What has been your favourite wellbeing event?
Julie: Our team work all over the hospital. We work different shifts, have people who work part-time and we’re never all in one place at the same time. It’s hard to get everybody together so one of my favourite activities was a team step challenge we did.
Although we weren’t all physically together, it was something that we were all taking part in and doing together.
Shirley: In March, we celebrated the little-by-little campaign for National Stress Awareness Month and I held weekly mindfulness competitions including therapeutic colouring competitions and picture puzzles and presented certificates to the winners. It created a real buzz amongst staff and gave them something positive to talk about but also encouraged them to take some time for themselves.
I printed a wide range of resources from the Stress Management Society website including a 30-day mindfulness challenge activity book and digital detox challenge. I displayed them on the health and wellbeing board in the staff room for people to take home and complete.
Tell us one activity that staff have loved getting involved with…
Shirley: Elf on the Shelf. Staff have dressed him in different outfits, had him working in clinic prep and using the photocopying machine and even had him catheterised!
It was fantastic to see so much engagement from staff, with some even involving their families.
Julie: I recently organised a lucky dip. I asked the team to bring in any smellies they’d been given as gifts but never opened. I wrapped them all up and everyone came and picked one up as a lucky dip for a small contribution – whatever they could afford.
Everyone got involved and we managed to raise £90 for us all to do something together. We’re still trying to decide what to spend it on but the winner so far is a team pizza day. We don’t get to see each other as a full team much so it’s great to just have that little get together – to know that we’re all still here for each other and basically have a bit of a chill out.
What is your own wellness routine?
Julie: Every morning, whether I’m at work or not, I’ll have my morning cup of tea outside for a breath of fresh air and a bit of me time.
And after work, I do diamond painting. I’ll get home, get changed, have my tea, and then at about 6pm, I’ll turn my music on and sit there for an hour (more sometimes – it’s addictive) and do my diamond painting.
Shirley: In the evenings, once I have eaten and showered, I switch my phone onto do not disturb at 8pm, light a candle and enjoy some time reading or completing a mindfulness colouring picture. In the summer months, I go on walks or bike rides after work.
Save the planet, save your money
North Tees and Hartlepool has now launched its brand new pop-up eco shop.
The shop sells excess ambient foods from supermarkets, such as tins, pasta, cereal and more. This food has become surplus. This could be because it was over-ordered or due to a misprint on the packaging – so you can save on the cost of food, while reducing food waste and making our planet a more sustainable place.
Steve Bell, environmental services and sustainability manager, said: “We are really excited to offer this new shop to staff. It’s important to understand this is not a food bank, it is basic sustainability and a way of offering our staff some products which supermarkets have not sold. The more support we get the more choice we can offer at the next eco-shop day.”
Staff can buy 10 items for just £2. All proceeds are reinvested back into the eco-shop, with remaining money split evenly between North Tees and Hartlepool and NTH Solutions charities – North Tees and Hartlepool Together and Maxi’s Mates.
Simply pop along with your cash (the exact amount if possible) and a carrier bag and take your pick of the items on offer.
The eco shop comes after the success of the initiative across South Tees Hospitals. As STRIVE colleague Claire Long says: “Visiting the eco shop at Friarage has proved to be the highlight of our week.
“We enjoy making the effort to go together as a team and speculating on what bargains we will be able to bag and what meals we’ll be able to make with our new ingredients. It’s a fantastic way of bringing staff from all levels and departments together whilst saving food from being wasted.”
North Tees and Hartlepool opening times
Opening times will vary so that staff will have an opportunity to come along, no matter their working patterns. Keep an eye on staff bulletins for opening hours.
South Tees Hospitals opening times
The Friarage: Open every Monday at 11am, located next to the Friends of the Friarage shop
James Cook: Open every Tuesday between 11 and 11:30am, located in the volunteer’s coffee lounge
A visit to Studley Royal Deer Park
Review by Iain Greener, Head of governance and compliance at NTH Solutions
If you are looking for a nice day out, there is a fabulous location near Ripon called Studley Royal. It’s only a couple of miles from the city centre, located on the B6265 Pateley Bridge road.
Arriving, you are presented with a wonderful view through the park. If you go to the top of the road and look back over, the view gives direct line of sight to Ripon Cathedral.
The hidden gem in here though is the 300 or so deer that roam freely in the parkland. They are wonderful to observe, albeit sometimes difficult to spot at first, but get settled into a quiet location and you will see them in abundance. I’m not sure if it’s the tranquillity of seeing them or just that it’s something you don’t see every day that makes this a special experience.
You can pay to go into the National Trust gardens if you wish, the entrance to which is located just by the lake next to lovely café. But if you don’t go into the gardens (which also lead to Fountains Abbey), there is lots more to see when you visit.
You can literally lose hours relaxing, walking the park and taking in some wonderful scenery. You can even walk the Seven Bridges which starts at the other end of the lake to the café. The bridges are small stone built crossings which take you through some lovely settings, ultimately ending back up at the main entrance where you arrive. It’s a couple of miles, but nothing too strenuous.
My personal favourite activity is to take a picnic and settle by the lake watching the world go by.
So, if you’re looking for a way to relax for a few hours in a beautiful setting I would recommend a visit. (And there’s always the best ice-cream, in my opinion, just down the road at Ripley).
Address: Studley Royal Deer Park, Ripon HG4 3AZ
Meet the nurses passing on their legacy to the next generation
Our legacy mentors are here to provide pastoral support and professional mentorship to our nurses and healthcare support workers. With vast experience under their belts, their goal is to pass their wisdom, knowledge and legacy onto the next generation. The teams at both North Tees and Hartlepool and South Tees Hospitals provide a confidential service to colleagues as they progress in their careers.
They offer an outlet for colleagues to explore their ambitions, access wellbeing services, improve experiences at work and ultimately ensure they feel valued. Guided by the NHS People Plan, their aim is to “ensure staff stay, and stay well”.
The South Tees Hospitals legacy mentor team comprises of Jan Pearson, Jo Knight and Helen Keen – while Alison Askew and Pam Stephenson take up the roles at North Tees and Hartlepool. All five are working very closely together to share ideas and explore findings to make sure staff are happy and healthy at work.
Alison said: “Our roles are about ensuring that our nursing staff have the support, educational development and career progression that they need to stay fulfilled at work.
“Every ward is different, every trust is different and has their own culture and I think one of our superpowers is that we’re independent of wards and departments.
“Everybody needs somebody to talk to away from the ward, no matter how supportive it is, and that’s where we come in.”
The South Tees mentors continued: “Life can sometimes be hard and our focus is to look after our people to improve their happiness and satisfaction at work. We encourage anyone needing a confidential, impartial conversation and a cuppa to reach out to us.
“The most trustworthy, approachable and lovely team going.”
“We are here to support our staff from early career until retirement and beyond. They are our legacy.”
Get in touch with the legacy mentors
South Tees Hospitals
Email: stees.legacy@nhs.net
North Tees and Hartlepool
Email: nth-tr.legacymentors@nhs.net
Call: 07788 208420
Unlocking a creative imagination
Helen Chitty is a self-confessed bookworm turned writer who recently embraced the art of storytelling to help unlock her creative imagination following long shifts working as a consultant neonatologist at James Cook.
From nature writing and memoirs to creative stories based on real-life experiences, Helen loves nothing more than putting pen to paper and describes her hobby as a breath of fresh air.
Helen’s love of reading and writing started as a child but following years of academic writing during her medical career, it was in 2020 that Helen decided to rediscover her love of creative writing. Over the next four years, she attended several writing courses, retreats and book festivals. This not only introduced her to a whole new world of interesting events, topics and philosophical attitudes but also a new community of friends too.
We caught up with Helen so she could tell us her epic tale of consultant meets creative writer.
Can you tell us about the type of writing you do?
Since re-discovering creative writing, I’ve developed an interest in nature writing, memoirs and writing reflective non-fiction pieces based on my experiences at work, chronic illness and life events. When I write about my experiences at work, I always anonymise and combine several experiences or people into one so that it becomes a semi-fictionalised meaning that no one can be identified.
How does writing help your health and wellbeing?
Writing creatively is, for me, like taking in a breath of fresh air. It helps to unlock my imagination and senses in a way that feels fun and joyful.
Through creative writing I have learnt to be more observant of people and my surroundings and become more present in the moment. Writing has introduced me to a whole new world of interesting people who have helped me to expand my knowledge and views of the world. Some have become friends who are there to offer guidance and support to each other when needed.
What are your three top tips to get into creative writing?
1. Practise, practise, practise – grab a journal and write as much as you can, as often as you can and soon your practice will become engrained.
2. Read books and use online resources with writing prompts to help stimulate ideas and thoughts.
3. Avoid aiming for perfection – just sit down and write and enjoy the process from first draft to final copy.
Help getting started:
The Arvon Foundation online and in-person courses and workshops: www.arvon.org/about/arvon-home-of-creative-writing
The National Centre for Writing podcast, This Writing Life: www.nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk
Cathy Rentzenbrink’s online Sunday Sessions and her book ‘Write It All Down’: www.cathyreadsbooks.com/sunday-sessions
THE ENCHANTERS
James ‘LA Confidential’ Ellroy, the self-style ‘demon dog’ of hard boiled crime and historical fiction, returns with his second consecutive novel focussing on real life crooked cop turned private investigator and shady ‘fixer’ Freddy Otash.
The Enchanters sees Freddy (the inspiration for Jake Gittes as portrayed by Jack Nicholson in the classic film
Ellroy’s style has developed and changed over the years, and unless you are regular reader who has learned how his style works and developed with it, this may not be the most digestible of novels.
Perhaps its most fatal flaw is the central character. Ellroy’s best books focus on moral but wildly imperfect men doing what they deem necessary for a greater
Help yourself to a book
Staff are encouraged to visit the Friarage library and the Rodney Cove-Smith library at James Cook where they can access a range of fiction and self-help books which have kindly been donated by staff.
Wellness areas are available within the Rodney Cove-Smith library and a dedicated member of the library team is on hand at Friarage, several days a week.
James Ellroy
Book review by Mark Malik, communications and marketing manager
MEDITATION In my life
Looking for a way to press the reset button after a tough few years, digital and performance manager, Mark Evans from NTH Solutions, looked to his music idols for inspiration when exploring ways to safeguard his own mental health.
A life-long fan of the Beatles, Mark felt inspired to practice Transcendental Meditation, after the famous four learned the technique in a retreat in Rishikesh, India in 1967 from Sage Maharishi.
We caught up with Mark at North Tees, so he could share a little bit about how taking up meditation has played a massive part in improving his wellbeing over the past year:
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Transcendental Meditation is a mantra based form of meditation. Some other types of meditation might have you focusing on your breath – which is well known as mindfulness. Being as its mantra based, you aim to repeat a phrase or a syllable, or visualise it in your mind, over a 20-minute period.
It’s practised twice a day, with a meditation session morning and evening.
Why did you look into taking it up?
I’d gone through a very tough couple of years and my mental health and anxiety had suffered as a result. I recognised that I needed to change something and had tried other routes such as therapy. I felt that I needed to look for something that would help calm me down when things were getting difficult.
I’m a huge Beatles fan, so I took inspiration from the fab four and thought I’d try Transcendental Meditation. George Harrison always spoke very highly of it!
How did you learn the technique?
With Transcendental Meditation you need to go to a certified teacher to learn the initial technique and to be given your personalised mantra. I went onto uk.TM.org – a website that identifies certified teachers in your area and found someone in Durham who offered a four-day course. So I signed up and went along to learn everything I’d need for an effective home practice.
How do you incorporate it into your daily routine?
I utilise something called the SAVERS routine. Which stands for Silence, Affirmations, Visualisations, Exercise, Reading, Scribing.
So I can double up and do things like pair my morning run with listening to affirmations, or sitting in silence and practicing my
visualisation during meditation. I will try to visualise reaching a goal and manifest that during my meditation. Then I will try to do 20 minutes of reading as well, primarily self-help books at the moment.
When winding down before bed, I turn off from technology an hour before and will switch over to low lights to set the mood and psychologically prepare myself for bed. The night time routine I feel can massively impact your morning and how you wake up the next day, so I’m trying to be conscious of that.
What do you like about it?
That I can sit in my armchair, light a candle and no matter what frame of mind I’m in, I know in twenty minutes I can be completely calm and level headed. I can get home from work and be frustrated, or scatter brained after a busy day, and within 20 minutes I can feel more myself again.
The practice isn’t always easy when you have a lot of thoughts racing through your mind, but persevering has had a huge impact on improving my thoughts, relationships with family, and my anxiety levels.
Thoughts for anyone who may want to explore meditation?
I think if you incorporate it into a yoga practice, it is more beneficial and you get quicker results. Perhaps because you are more open and can better relax your mind after stretching.
However, any form of meditation is beneficial. It doesn’t have to be transcendental. I’d recommend giving it a go and seeing if it’s for you. It’s all about remaining consistent to see results.
Thank you and congratulations to everyone who took part in the Great North Run to raise money for our group’s charities – North Tees and Hartlepool Together and Our Hospitals Charity.
This year was even more special as we joined dozens of other health organisations in a dedicated NHS Charities Together area in the charity village at the end of the run so all runners and their families could celebrate together.
To everyone who took part and sponsored our runners – thank you. Interested in running next year for one of our charities?
To run on behalf of North Tees and Hartlepool Together, contact: suzi.campbell@nhs.net
To run on behalf of Our Hospitals Charity, contact ourhospitalscharity@nhs.net
Making waves in open water swimming
Since learning to swim in her 40s, cardiology research nurse Karen Ainsworth has been making waves in the world of open-water swimming and recently embarked on a 16-hour journey across the channel to crew the boat for her friend and swimming buddy, Roy.
Karen’s love for the open water started just over four years ago in the River Tees and it’s here she met a fantastic group of swimmers who quickly became close friends, including Verity and Roy, who was the first deaf person to swim the channel in 2021. Inspired by their mental strength and swimming abilities, Karen was soon challenging herself to complete all-year round longdistance swims.
Not letting the cold or injuries stop her, Karen pushed through with the help of neoprene, a cold-water dipping pod and support from her friends. She proudly completed her first long-distance swim in Lake Coniston spanning over five miles in 2022. However, it was in July 2023, when Helen was faced with her biggest challenge yet. Would she join Roy’s channel swim crew?
Despite her initial fears of travel sickness, Helen along with Verity and Roy’s partner, Pat, said yes to the opportunity of a lifetime and set off helping Roy on his intense training regime.
We caught up with Helen at James Cook so she could tell us more about her open-water swimming journey and the time she became responsible for keeping Roy safe from debris and swans.
How did the idea of the channel swim come about?
After helping Verity train for her swim back in 2021, Roy who is hearing impaired, was inspired to take on the challenge himself. Like Verity, he also wanted to raise money for ‘Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’, after seeing how hearing dogs can help people live more independently.
Three years ago, he booked his swim window, support boat and pilot and began his intense training regime. However, Roy also needed a support crew and that’s where I came in.
In July 2023, he asked me to join his crew.
How did it feel to be asked?
I was honoured and terrified at the same, I didn’t want my travel sickness to make me a burden. But despite my fears, I said ‘yes.’ I knew this was an exciting challenge and probably a one-off opportunity.
What did your crew member duties entail?
During the training stages, I shadowed Roy by kayaking alongside him on several of his training swims. We practiced feeding while in the water and I kept him safe from things like debris and swans.
On the day before the swim, once we had received the message that conditions were clear, we boarded our boat ‘Anastasia’ and made the journey to Samphire Hoe beach in Dover. Roy started his swim at 01.19am on Wednesday 24 July.
What was the hardest part of the journey?
At around five to seven hours into the race, Roy started to struggle with pain in his left shoulder and it was slowing him down. It was touch and go if he was going to make it. We dosed him up with more pain relief and kept encouraging him to push harder, however it was difficult to find the balance between encouraging him and pushing him too hard. We just wanted him to make it to the end.
What was the standout moment from the swim?
The whole journey was incredible, and we are all so proud of Roy. However, there was one pinch point when the tide changed and Roy was swimming hard but not making forward progress. He was being pushed towards Calais and we were running out of beach to land on. We didn’t want the swim to be abandoned.
Using white boards, we had to tell him to push harder and boy, did he push harder. He landed at Cap Blanc - Nez beach 15 hours and 56 minutes after setting off. It was an incredible journey to witness and one I will never ever forget. I am so thankful to Roy, Verity and Pat for letting me join them on this adventure.
What do you love most about open-water swimming?
I love that it challenges me constantly and that no two open water swims are ever the same. I just never know where it is going to take me next!
There’s still time to donate:
Sit back, relax and unwind with Radio Stitch
Our Radio Stitch hospital radio presenters have developed a new album to help staff relax after a busy day.
The gentle melodies and soft rhythms of the album have been carefully selected to help colleagues to unwind and release any tension in mind and in body.
Radio Stitch has created the album based on feedback from patients and staff from North Tees and Hartlepool and James Cook – where it broadcasts to bedsides.
Radio Stitch’s Andy Tingle said: “The idea came around by chance really.
“I was laid up at home in a lot pain after a serious accident. I put a CD together to relax me and take my mind off the pain and discomfort. It worked really well and now I’ve created around 100 hours of relaxing, ambient music which we want to share with staff.”
Since launching the album in July, more than 100 people have reached out for a CD or downloadable version of the album. The team at Radio Stitch advise on using it to help unwind after a long day or to help you start your day off on the right foot.
Andy continued: “The music is royalty free and there are no limits on using it in wards or departments. I hope more people download the playlists or pick up a CD.
“We’ve even put a special playlist together of gentle, soothing music specifically for colleagues in the mortuary for when family members are viewing their loved ones. If any services have a special music request for their waiting rooms, we’d be happy to create a bespoke playlist for them.”
The album is available to download as a MP3 for free or in CD format for £2. If you would like a copy, please email Andy on andrew.tingle3@nhs.net – including which format you would like.
Above: (Left to right) Karen, Roy, Pat and Verity. Below: Roy Stewart takes on the channel.
SNAPSHOT
A prestigious award for a bit
of an old tree
Congratulations to John Stansfield, a healthcare science support worker at South Tees who won first prize for the John Waterman award for his artwork ‘A Bit of an Old Tree’ at The Society of Botanical Artists Plantae 2024 Exhibition.
’A Bit of an Old Tree’
On yer bike
Ready, set, bike
Staff at South Tees have started a brand-new cycle group that runs on Thursdays at 5.30pm. All staff are encouraged to pop along to Middlesbrough Sports Village bike circuit with their bikes to build up confidence whilst making new friends.
Please note: there is a small charge to ride on the bike circuit.
National Fitness Day
The NTH nutrition and dietetics team celebrating National Fitness Day with a lovely walk around Hardwick Country Park in the sun. Health and wellbeing champion Nicole Lackenby organised the day out, which included a team lunch as well.
Nutrition and dietetics team
Lifting the way to victory
North Tees resident doctor and champion powerlifter Rachel Steedman recently racked up four gold medals and one silver medal at the Western European Powerlifting Championships in September. Read issue 8 of the magazine for a sit down interview with Rachel.
Rachel Steedman
HOW AM I?
The toolkit
Improve and maintain your psychological health with our ‘How Am I’ toolkit. The toolkit contains a range of help within four zones (Red, Yellow, Green and Blue) which relate to the way you are feeling right now – your ‘emotional temperature’.
Just scan the QR code or visit: www.southtees.nhs.uk/staff/how-am-I
EXTERNAL SUPPORT CONTACTS
Recovery college online
A range of online courses to support with aspects of wellbeing and mental health.
Access online: www.recoverycollegeonline.co.uk
Able futures
Available from 8am - 10.30pm weekdays or refer online.
Contact: 0800 321 3137
Access online: able-futures.co.uk/individuals
INTERNAL SUPPORT CONTACTS
South Tees
James Cook: 01642 854802 Friarage: 01609 763275
North Tees 01642 383138
jim.wright@nhs.net
ICS TEWV staff wellbeing hub
Confidential advice and support helpline. 7am - 9pm (7-days a week)
Contact: 0191 223 2030
IMPACT on Teesside - talking therapy
Provide talking therapy, counselling and alternative therapies.
Available 9am - 5pm (weekdays) and online referrals can be made anytime.
Contact: 01642 573924
Access online: www.impactonteesside.com
01642 282482
Tees 01642 383211
South Tees 07826 943275 stees.idva@nhs.net North Tees 07789 506664
kelly.thomson10@nhs.net
“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.”
- Delia Owens, Where the Crawdads Sing