{"id":9800,"date":"2023-01-27T16:26:25","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T16:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/?p=9800"},"modified":"2023-01-27T16:26:25","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T16:26:25","slug":"preventing-ill-health-through-shared-professionalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/preventing-ill-health-through-shared-professionalism\/","title":{"rendered":"Play your part in preventing ill health through shared professionalism"},"content":{"rendered":"

David Monkhouse, Director of Leisure-net Solutions, looks at introducing positive change through shared professionalism.<\/h2>\n

We are all facing challenges to our physical, mental and social wellbeing, compounded by the ongoing recovery from COVID, cost-of-living increases and continued pressure on the NHS.<\/p>\n

What has all this to do with the physical activity sector, I hear you ask?<\/p>\n

Quite a lot actually, as summarised so eloquently earlier this month by Mike Farrar in his first speech as Chair at ukactive. He urged the physical activity sector to be \u2018at the heart\u2019 of the NHS and the care system. He made a powerful \u2013 and compelling \u2013 case for leisure sector professionals to support and prioritise the healthcare sector.<\/p>\n

When people speak powerfully on public platforms, while the message resonates clearly with the audience, it can be hard to know quite what to do to help.<\/p>\n

Well, on that score, I\u2019d like to make a suggestion. Having recently joined the steering group of #DoingOurBit, I\u2019m inspired to bring together the professionalism within the physical activity sector and the professionalism of the NHS and healthcare sectors to bring about positive change.<\/p>\n

A bit about #DoingOurBit <\/strong><\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard about #DoingOurBit \u2013 the free fitness platform for NHS staff that was developed in double-quick time at the start of the 2020 pandemic. Now the largest free platform supporting the wellbeing of front-line workers in the UK, it started as a passion project for Julie Davis who works as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at the Clinical Research Network West Midlands. Seeing the toll COVID-19 took on her colleagues, she set about sourcing some free workouts and relaxation sessions to help them cope. The initiative caught the eye of The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, which wanted to offer the workouts to its staff of nearly 10,000. Suddenly, Julie needed a bigger platform and professional support. Training provider Study Active, awarding organisation Active IQ and fitness platform hosting company fibodo joined forces to bring Julie\u2019s ambitious idea to life.<\/p>\n

It was a formidable task but, after six weeks of tireless work behind the scenes, #DoingOurBit<\/a> launched with over 50 free, unique, on-demand workout sessions for NHS staff. Today, over 130 NHS trusts have signed up to #DoingOurBit and it\u2019s just passed the three quarters of a million mark in terms of potential reach to NHS and social care staff.<\/p>\n

The platform may have launched in lockdown to serve an immediate and important purpose, but it\u2019s just as valid and valuable today as NHS staff continue to struggle to maintain their own health and wellbeing amid their enormous workload and the cost-of-living crisis.<\/p>\n

\"DoingOurBit<\/p>\n

Huge potential<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The potential for #DoingOurBit to make a difference remains huge, which is why when I was invited to join the steering group and give my time and expertise to its ongoing development, I jumped at the chance.<\/p>\n

I was excited to be able to join because I recognise the value around the professionalisation of the leisure workforce and how we can contribute to the new agenda of the integrated care system and integrated care boards, and support the prevention of ill health, rather than treatment.<\/p>\n

Having worked in active recreation and sport for the past 28 years, I strongly believe that our workforce makes a massive difference to people\u2019s lives. The majority of the work I do is targeted at making an even bigger difference \u2013 just like #DoingOurBit. In fact, I manage many complementary roles. I\u2019m an elected trustee of CIMSPA, I sit on the ukactive Membership Council, I support my local Activity Partnership as a business, audit and oversight group member and am a non-executive director of a local authority trading company operating three leisure centres.<\/p>\n

Reasons to get involved<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Being invited to join the steering group for #DoingOurBit is an honour and a role I relish for a number of reasons:<\/p>\n