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As the NHS celebrated 75 years, we were delighted to mark the occasion by joining the South West Coast Path Association as it celebrated 50 years.

In a brand-new initiative set up by the Trust’s Wellbeing Team and in partnership with the South West Coast Path Association, the walk not only marked a timely double celebration, but it also demonstrated the importance of staff wellbeing and why being available to do something away from work can have a positive impact on your mental health.

The walk was well attended by employees from across the Trust and was led by Jack Greaves, Coast Path Connectors Project Officer, for the South West Coast Path Association.

Jack says: “We run a project called the Coast Path Connectors. The idea is to encourage people to use the South West Coast Path for wellbeing, mental, physical health, socialising because it is a free resource on our doorstep in Cornwall. I have been working with the Trust to set up test walks for the NHS staff. It is a high stress job so it is just to highlight that the coast path is there. It's a tool that we can use to get away from our day-to-day stresses.”

Taking in some of Cornwall’s most beautiful coastline, the group walked from Polkerris to Gribben Head and then down to Poldridmouth Cove. They stopped for lunch, before completing the 4.5-mile loop through Menabilly and back to Polkerris.

One of those taking part in the walk was Gary Wheildon, Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, from the Trust. Gary has been organising the partnership alongside Zara Miners, Trish Quinn and Dan Lashbrook from our Wellbeing Team.

He commented: “We are here today primarily to celebrate 75 years of the NHS which is fantastic. The South West Coast Path Association is 50 this year as well so it combines quite nicely. They are delivering some free training for us to be able to lead walks. They are also offering free guided walks for staff which is an awesome opportunity for staff to get out and about and do things. The uptake has been brilliant. We have been lucky that staff have been able to come out and join us for the walks. It is a partnership we are looking to roll out over a prolonged period.

“Lots of people will get out on the coast path in their personal time. What we are trying to do within our role in the Wellbeing Team is get the message out to staff individually and in teams and say: "Can you be creative in finding ways to access wellbeing for you?". We understand that work pressure is going to dictate, so people cannot do things like today. The message is if it is not this what else could it be? How else can you engage? With a walking meeting maybe? There are loads of ways teams can get more active, getting out in fresh air. It is something you have got to do within your work setting so you have got to be a bit more imaginative how you do it."

He added: “The messaging we have had from the Trust and both chief executives has absolutely been that wellbeing is a priority for staff. I know that there might be staff that think it is hard for them to access that, but that is the message and what we are trying to do is spread that message wider so that people take opportunities if they can.”

Coming from various roles across the Trust, people still managed to take time out of their busy working week to take part in the walk, and Gary is encouraging more staff to follow suit following its success.

He says: “People have been amazing today to carve time out to come and do this with us. It just goes to prove that if you do not ask: "Can we go and do this?", if you are not feeling confident enough to ask then you will always keep doing the things you have been doing. Whereas people have challenged that today to get here and the answer has been "yes". So clearly there is support and there is opportunity for things like this today.”

There are already plans for more walks to take place in the future. With so many stunning routes to enjoy in a county famed for its spectacular coastline Trust staff are going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding a walk to enjoy.

Gary added: “What we are going to be doing is taking it out and about around the county. We can provide walks that are more bespoke level. It does not have to be as long as it is today, it could be a different route. It is just asking and challenging what your popular beliefs might be and about what you can and cannot do in regard to wellbeing.”