CUH's Open Minds staff network

01/09/2025

Foraging for Wellbeing courses are starting on 3 September and 15 October at Milton Country Park . These 6 week courses hosted by Earth & Mind CIC are an opportunity for adults facing mental health challenges to learn about foraging, explore the natural environment and connect with others.

They are particularly suitable for those experiencing mild/moderate anxiety, low mood, stress, loneliness or social isolation. To sign up contact emily@earthandmind.co.uk.

Find out more about Foraging for Wellbeing on the How Are You Cambridge website: https://haycambridge.co.uk/activities/foraging-for-wellbeing-earth-mind-cic/

13/05/2025

This , what one thing are you going to do to aid your wellbeing?

Today we hosted our monthly network meeting with a twist. A huge thank you to on Insta for running an intuitive arts session!

The backdrop of this image was created by prompts encouraging us to think outside of the boundaires, while passing our creations around and adding to others' work.

A massive thank you to CUH Arts for supporting today and providing the activity!

We are CUH's Open Minds staff network, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's staff network for mental health and wellbeing. Colleagues can search for us on Connect if you're interested in joining our network, and to find out about future events.

13/05/2025

We've had a lovely first event - a walk around the Green & the Gardens over lunchtime. Thank you to all who attended!🌞

We also grabbed an iced drink, funded by our hospital charity, ACT - a huge thank you to them, as always.

There's still time to get involved this - CUH colleagues can visit Connect for more details on our afternoon event: https://www.cuhconnect.nhs.uk/events/open-minds-staff-network-meeting-in-person/

Mental health doesn't stop after an awareness week. It's a full-time experience for those with mental health conditions, and something to be nurtured and maintained for all of us.

Our goal as a staff network is to hold a safe space to have discussions around mental health and wellbeing, and this is important now and after the awareness week.

More info can be found on Connect, search: staff networks

30/04/2025

An important reminder for those on medication during this hot weather! Look after yourself and stay hydrated 🌞

Just a gentle reminder for those on antidepressants in this heat 🔥 Not everyone knows this, so please share to spread the word ❤️

13/03/2025

Free for anyone to attend!

Cambridge Biomedical Campus is celebrating International Day of Happiness with activities celebrating the importance of happiness and wellbeing

13/11/2024

We all need a bit of TLC. Happy 🫂💙

Thanks so much to Wonder Doodles (Insta) for allowing us to share their gorgeous, kind illustration.

22/08/2024

Today CUH says goodbye to Chris Folkard, who co-chaired our network back when it was Time To Change, and helped steer the transition to Open Minds. Thank you Chris for all the work you've done to reduce stigma, for the fundraising you've done, both for ACT and for local mental health charities, and for your honesty and courage in talking so openly about your own mental health. Good luck from all of us in the network for your new adventure!

17/08/2024

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has signed Mind's Mental Health at Work Commitment.

This means we're prioritising the mental health of our colleagues at CUH.

CUH has already signed up to the Mindful Employers Positive About Mental Health Charter, and we continue to work towards the reduction of stigma around mental health and wellbeing.

Read more here: https://careers.cuh.nhs.uk/working-with-us/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/mindful-employers-positive-about-mental-health-charter

And about Mind's initiative here: https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/mental-health-at-work-commitment

24/07/2024

We've had a very successful first peer support group!

We met with people across the hospitals to journal/craft, chat and discuss wellbeing support. Many of us made little booklets of things we loved, such as the one below from a previous event.

Thank you to everyone who attended! If you (staff at CUH) need a place to chat, judgment free, come along to a peer support group.

Sarah and I aren't clinically trained, but we can listen and signpost if you need us for an informal chat - email cuh.openmindscuh@nhs.net

Abbie & Sarah

17/07/2024

We are delighted to have recieved two nominations for CUH awards as co-chairs and the staff network as a whole!

Sarah (left) and I (Abbie, right) collected our nominations last week at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's celebration event - and had the lovely opportunity to chat to other nominees and cheer eachother on! 🥳

Thank you to those who nominated the network, it really means a lot 💙

Obviously, we have to do a cheeky little plug of our upcoming events! Our network meeting is at 1pm today, and our peer support group launches next week! Staff can mail cuh.openmindscuh@nhs.net for more info on either.

See you soon!
Abbie & Sarah

15/07/2024

Next week, we're launching our new peer support group for staff at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 💙

We all have ; you do not need any specific diagnosis or experience to join us. Our aim is to provide a safe, social space to have conversations around mental health, whilst also providing tools and strategies for self-care.

Staff are welcome to drop into sessions as and when it suits, there’s no commitment to attend them all.

You can visit Connect for more information, just search 'Open Minds Network'.