Each year, World Mental Health Day brings a spotlight to the challenges that many of us face when it comes to the trials and tribulations of life.
The care industry is naturally a place where mental health comes first. You can’t deliver effective care without considering a person’s full wellbeing, including how they feel.
Equally, as a responsible and compassionate employer, we also take this time of year to reflect on the support we give to our own team.
Working in care can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility, which can place pressure on those delivering care.
That’s why it’s so important to us that our carers’ mental wellbeing is supported as much as possible.
Wellbeing for carers
The wellbeing of our carers is paramount and we are, therefore, proud to provide an environment where our team feel supported, valued and able to talk openly.
We say that what we do as an organisation is “person-centred” but this applies to both the people who use our services and our carers alike.
We know that the best care comes from happy, motivated people, so we invest in their wellbeing every day.
That’s why we offer:
- A friendly and open workplace culture where people are encouraged to speak up and share their experiences
- Regular recognition through our Carer Spotlight to celebrate those going above and beyond
- A flexible approach to work, supporting a healthy work-life balance and taking family commitments into account
- Free mental health counselling sessions for anyone who needs it
- We were delighted to be named as the regional winner (Midlands) of the Home Care Employer Award at the Great British Care Awards 2024.
- Celebrations of our team with regular long service awards
Despite achieving this incredible accolade, we continue to adapt and innovate our employee wellbeing programme.
Wellbeing for people requiring care
Mental health support is just as vital for those we care for. At Nexus, we see every person as an individual, not just someone with care needs, but someone with passions, memories and routines that make them who they are.
Our approach focuses on the little things that matter. Whether it’s playing someone’s favourite music, sharing a cup of tea or making sure they get to enjoy a much-loved treat.
These simple gestures can make all the difference to someone’s mood and sense of connection.
To make sure we can build a clearer picture of our clients and carers’ needs and ensure they are getting the right support we welcomed Client Relationship and Employee Welfare Manager, Amanda to our team.
She has more than 20 years of experience in the care industry and brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion and insight to this role.
She spends most of her time out in the field, meeting with our clients and carers to make sure we continue delivering high-quality care.
Alongside this our carers are also trained to recognise the signs of poor mental health, such as changes in behaviour or mood and to act quickly by alerting family members or healthcare professionals where additional support is needed.
However, perhaps most importantly, they offer genuine companionship, a friendly face, a kind word and someone who listens.
The impact of winter
As we move into the colder months, mental health challenges can become more pronounced for both carers and those receiving care.
Shorter days reduced social interaction and increased isolation can all affect mood and motivation.
We encourage our carers to look after themselves during this period. Staying connected, getting outside where possible and reaching out for help if they’re struggling.
For our clients, we focus on maintaining regular routines and encouraging social contact to keep spirits high through meaningful engagement and conversation.
To further enhance our delivery of care, we recently invested in new technology PASS, which has AI built in to spot patterns from our carers notes that may indicate someone needs more help.
How to improve mental health
Improving mental health doesn’t always require grand gestures, often it’s about consistency, connection and compassion.
For carers, that means taking regular breaks, talking openly and seeking support when needed.
For those in care, it means being seen, heard and valued as an individual, as well as being recognised as an important part of the wider community.
Mental wellbeing is at the heart of great care. When carers and clients alike feel supported, connected and cared for, everyone thrives, not just on World Mental Health Day, but every day.
To learn more about our services, call us at 0121 308 2906.
