23 March 2022

A project that features a collaboration between allied health professionals, psychologists and arts psychotherapists has now delivered Awaydays and workshops to 25 teams across CNWL.

The CaRE Project (Creativity, Arts, Resilience, and Engagement) is a creative, collaborative, and experiential focusing on the strengths of the team, clarifying roles and team priorities. It contributes towards team development, team wellbeing and team resilience within the creative space. It is available to all NHS teams across the UK.

The latest results have been inspiring. Dominik Havsteen-Franklin, Consultant in Arts Psychotherapies said: “It has been an amazing experience to be working with frontline staff who have felt pressured and burdened by the pandemic. Together, we've built a team CaRE package that responds not only to individual needs, but to the whole team in a holistic compassionate way.”

Dominik and CaRE project practice lead, Jenni de Knoop, and the CaRE team have been visiting teams for over a year, providing structured creative workshops to help teams reconnect and re-energize using a resilience development model.

Wayne, ward manager from Horton Rehab Services, said: “It surprised me... it works, it really works!”

Ewa, Psychologist, said: “It was very inspiring to use movement and to use arts because I discovered things that I don't think I would get in touch with just by talking or thinking about it.”

This project is being funded by the Royal College of Nursing through their CHSA fund.

Jenni and Dominik are available for team consultation to discuss how the project might be of help to your team.

Contact: care.project@nhs.net

To find out more watch this video.