Keyworker launches fitness platform for Eastbourne NHS staff

The East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust staff have signed up to #DoingOurBit – a free online fitness platform including more than 40 unique workouts given to the NHS by Britain’s leading personal trainers.
Jolie SUS-200921-154303001Jolie SUS-200921-154303001
Jolie SUS-200921-154303001

The project caught the eye of the wellbeing team and Jolie Wilkinson, the trust’s staff wellbeing advisor, who, as a qualified personal trainer herself, immediately saw the potential and value for more than 6,000 staff that the trust employs.

#DoingOurBit started as a passion project for keyworker Julie Davis, who works as the deputy chief operating officer at a clinical research centre.

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An amateur powerlifter currently training to be a personal trainer, Julie advocates exercise for physical and mental wellbeing. As the physical and emotional impact of treating Covid-19 patients took its toll on her colleagues, she set about sourcing some free workouts and relaxation sessions to help her colleagues cope.

Jolie said, “I was aware staff were struggling to find convenient ways to exercise around their shifts and long hours. Despite the fact they are extremely busy, we encourage staff to exercise and have quality time for themselves to ensure they continue to look after their physical and mental health, especially during these very stressful times.”

Julie Davis said, “I started an initiative called ‘Your Wellbeing Matters’ posting live videos at 8am and 8pm, seven days a week to give staff the opportunity to focus on their wellbeing each day throughout lockdown. As a team we deliver a comprehensive wellbeing programme at ESHT. As lockdown started, donations also arrived so the wellbeing team set up staff donation collection hubs, engaged with staff more often, and we had lots of additional support available.”

#DoingOurBit sees personal trainers ‘giving back’ to the hard-working NHS workers. A group of 28 instructors pulled together more than 40 workouts from relaxation and stretch sessions, to low impact and body weight workouts, right up to more energetic higher intensity routines.

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It was brought to life by three fitness industry partners - training provider Study Active, awarding organisation Active IQ and digital platform specialist company Fibodo – who gave their time and expertise to create and host Julie’s ambitious idea.

All the #DoingOurBit workouts adhere to strict quality controls and every minute has been checked by external verifiers. This aspect gives the wellbeing team at the East Sussex Healthcare Trust confidence when recommending it to staff.

All NHS staff can access #DoingOurBit by registering with their NHS email address and NHS employer number at https://www.fit4thefight.org/nhs-members-area.

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