Men's health sessions for staff at NHS trust

James Harvey launched the group and was inspired to champion men's health following the loss of his brother

A men's health initiative has been launched to support the wellbeing of hospital staff.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) hosted its first Chill and Spill group session at Royal Stoke University Hospital to encourage male staff to talk about self-care and mental health.

The session, hosted by the organisational development department, was attended by more than 40 people.

The trust said it marked a major milestone in the ongoing development of UHNM's Men's Health Group.

'Overwhelming' reaction

Trainer James Harvey launched the group in June 2023, having been inspired to champion men's health following the loss of his brother in 2019.

"It became apparent that as an organisation we weren't championing men's health enough and we could be doing more to support the health and wellbeing of our male colleagues," he said.

The group started with staff meetings every six weeks and regular podcasts before expanding.

Mr Harvey said: "The aim of Chill and Spill is to create a safe and relaxed space for men at UHNM to simply talk, be that about serious issues or everyday life.

"The reaction from the men in the room was overwhelming. The open format allowed everyone to contribute at their own pace and we covered a wide range of topics, from suicide prevention to burnout and the emotional challenges of fatherhood.

"One colleague told us afterward how a topic we discussed brought up deep emotions he'd never shared before."

The session was attended by more than 40 people

Estate manager Marc Porter, who attended with some of his team, said the response from his colleagues was "overwhelmingly positive".

"For me, it highlighted how much I've kept to myself over the years instead of speaking openly, something many men struggle with," he added.

Further sessions are planned at Royal Stoke and also County Hospital in Stafford and there has been interest from other NHS Trusts.

Mr Harvey said: "This is about creating a culture where men feel seen and supported. It's about all of us looking out for one another, making time for self-care, and promoting real connection.

"I want this to be the best men's health group in the NHS. We're just getting started, but we're already making a difference."