Great Western Hospital, Health and Wellbeing Project Manager wins regional Parliamentary Award

Health and Wellbeing Project Manager, Sam Walklett is celebrating double success as a winner of a South West Parliamentary award and being shortlisted for next year's national awards in the Wellbeing at Work category.
Sam Walklett with award

The award comes after MPs and NHS leaders in the South West came together to honour health and care staff in the regional round of the NHS Parliamentary Awards.

The local judging panel had over 70 nominations. Therefore the award came as a testament to Sam’s hard work and positive attitude.

During COVID-19, Sam delivered thousands of drinks, sweet treats, and healthy ready meals to staff working in every ward and department and personally delivered care packages to every member of staff who was shielding or working from home, to support their health and wellbeing and to ensure they felt included despite not working on site.

The Health and Wellbeing Project Manager also set up six wobble rooms to give staff a quiet space to reflect, share thoughts, and take a break during the pandemic, with all the rooms being regularly updated with new literature, posters, and drinks and snacks for staff.

Speaking of her work during and prior to the pandemic, Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive, said:

"We put Sam forward for this award as a thank you for the contribution she has made to our staff health and wellbeing programme, both before the pandemic and during.

“A huge thank you to Sam for her leadership on this. We are very proud of what you have done - showing us all what we can do when we support each other.”

Last year, Sam launched the Trust’s first-ever ‘Happiness Event’ which saw over 1,000 members of staff join their colleagues and take a break to enjoy an afternoon of sweet treats, masseuses, yoga instructors, beauty therapists, and a local healthy drinks company. 

Thanking Sam for her work and acknowledging her achievements, MP, Robert Buckland, said: 

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam has made a huge difference to fellow local NHS staff, leading the staff health and wellbeing programme. She has worked tirelessly, going above and beyond to make sure that all those working within the field have received exceptional support at this difficult time.”