NHS staff are teaming up with local community organisations to raise funds for Southmead Hospital Charity, the Trust’s official charity partner, during North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT)’s annual ‘Thank You Fortnight’. This event is dedicated to promoting gratitude and wellbeing among NHS staff.
This year, two spin bikes, generously provided by award-winning operator Everyone Active, will be kept spinning in the hospital’s Brunel atrium for eight hours. The money raised for Southmead Hospital Charity, the Trust’s official charity partner, through this cycle challenge will support research carried out at the Trust, aiding the development of innovative healthcare solutions for the future.
NBT’s Chief People Officer, Peter Mitchell, said: “Here at NBT we know how important it is for our staff to feel recognised and appreciated. We have lots of ways of celebrating our staff all year round, but each year we hold a thank you fortnight to encourage people to have a focus on showing their gratitude. We also want our staff to feel safe and well whilst at work, so we also use this as an opportunity to promote wellbeing. This year we have included this community event as part of our thank you fortnight to bring different Trust priorities together, from commitment to our community, being an employer of choice and a great place to work, as well as developing healthcare for the future, with the charity cycle challenge element raising money for our charity partner, Southmead Hospital Charity.”
Participants in the Charity Cycle Challenge include NHS doctors, nurses, catering staff, IT colleagues, and members of the Trust’s Executive Team. Local community representatives are also joining in, such as Gloucestershire County Cricket Club star Marchant de Lange, local police officers, and Captain Gas, the official mascot of Bristol Rovers Football Club.
At NBT, we strive to ensure our staff feel recognised and valued for their year-round dedication. Our annual Thank You Fortnight is one way we celebrate our staff, focusing on appreciation. During this period, the public is invited to send messages of thanks to our staff.
This year’s community engagement event also fosters networking opportunities between NHS staff and local organisations, encouraging collaborative initiatives to support the health of our local population. Discussions with Everyone Active will highlight the health benefits of specific classes they offer for conditions like Parkinson’s, Diabetes and sensory impairments, along with concession gym memberships for NHS staff.
Cameron Bate, contract manager for Everyone Active in Bristol, said: “We're thoroughly looking forward to the Charity Cycle Challenge organised by North Bristol NHS Trust, which is a fantastic way to raise funds for such important research and celebrate the dedication of NHS staff. Our mission is to help people of all ages, abilities and interests to keep active, and we're excited to support this community event that is bound to be a brilliant day filled with appreciation.”
Another priority for the Trust is the wellbeing and safety of our staff. Officers from Avon & Somerset Police will provide bike safety advice, distribute personal attack alarms, and support the charity challenge.
Our staff are also supporting each other, with staff network members sharing the benefits of connecting with colleagues. Additionally, our Sustainability Team will promote sustainable travel and encourage participation in the TravelWest’s Travel 2 Work Survey.
You can send a message of thanks through our website, and sponsor our Charity Cycle Challenge to help raise vital funds for life-changing research at our Trust today!