TUESDAY, 13 MAY, 2025

Photographs attached: 1 – (front) patient Caitlin McRitchie, senior nurse Danielle Gorrie, Bellrock domestic manager Maggie Simons and peer support worker Jamie Stewart with staff at the book launch, 2 – Jamie Stewart (left), Louise Ewing (fourth left) and Danielle Gorrie (second right) with staff taking part in the cycle challenge

Wellbeing to the forefront during week-long Carseview event

Staff, patients and carers at Carseview took part in a series of activities, workshops and events as part of the centre’s first Wellbeing Week.

The week was organised as part of Stress Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign held each April.

Senior nurse Danielle Gorrie worked with colleagues to organise a packed programme of events including exercise classes, massage therapy and relaxation sessions, a visit from Therapets Flinn and Dexter, arts and crafts, carers support, live music and gardening.

There were also self-care and wellbeing workshops, third sector recovery stalls and professional development sessions for staff.

Teams from the centre took part in twice daily ‘step to it’ sessions, with a target of reaching a combined total of 500,000 steps. The teams smashed this, taking 523,000 steps which is the equivalent of walking from Dundee to Liverpool, or around 10 marathons. A 12-hour continuous cycle also took place with staff covering more than 9km each in their 15-minute slots, taking their total to 307.2km.

The week was rounded off with the launch of Molly and Mr Monkey, a children’s book written by patient Caitlin McRitchie in collaboration with peer support worker Jamie Stewart. Staff from Bellrock Group, which provides facilities management at Carseview, kindly donated refreshments and a cake for those attending the book launch.

Danielle said, “The week was a great success, it was so good to see everyone getting involved in the challenges and wellbeing sessions. A huge thank you to everyone who offered their time and donated items, including Maureen’s Helping Hand, NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation, Tesco, Asda and Brakes. A local ice cream van also stopped by on the final day which was a big hit with staff and patients.

“The initial feedback from the week was great and we’re looking to have more frequent wellbeing sessions throughout the year as well as an annual event.”

Louise Ewing, general manager for inpatient mental health, added, “It was an absolute joy to be part of the wellbeing week and to see real collaboration at work.  The buzz in Carseview over the course of the week was tangible and we are already considering establishing a Wellbeing Wednesday to ensure we embed some of what worked well on a more regular basis.  We are also looking to adopt a similar approach for staff, patients and visitors at Murray Royal Hospital.”

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718