News reports located on this page = 2.

Hugh Baird College apprentice shortlisted for a national healthcare award

A Hugh Baird College and Aintree University Hospital apprentice has been shortlisted for the national:- '2019 Our Health Heroes Clinical Support Worker of the Year Award.' Olivia Gillon, 18, is studying her Level 2 Health Apprenticeship while gaining on the job training working as a as a Healthcare Assistant at Aintree University Hospital. Olivia was shortlisted from more than 880 nominations from across the UK for the prestigious award. Organised by the Skills for Health and headline sponsor Health Education England (HEE), the awards have been celebrate and shine a light on unsung healthcare heroes from across the UK.

Olivia, who has been an apprentice for just little over 12 months is amazed at how, in such a short period of time, the care she delivers is not only getting Regional recognition but is also gaining national attention. Olivia, who had previously won the '2019 Our Health Heroes Clinical Support Worker of the Year Award' for the North West said of her Regional award nomination:- "I was so proud to have been judged as the best clinical support worker in the North West. To now be nominated for the national award off the back of that is unbelievable. It is a privilege to do the job I do and to positively impact the lives of others on a daily basis."

Once Olivia completes her apprenticeship she has set her sights on becoming a fully qualified Nurse and having a long and rewarding career in the NHS. Olivia added:- "Thanks to incredible support from my ward colleagues, as well as family members who also work in the NHS, I feel I have really found my calling in Nursing. My tutors at Hugh Baird College have also been invaluable and very supportive."

Lynn Masterston Director of Business of Engagement said of Olivia's achievement:- "We are extremely proud of what Olivia has achieved. To win the Clinical Support Worker of the Year Award for the North West and to be then nominated for the Regional award is just outstanding. We are also proud to be working with Aintree University Hospital to provide our health apprentices a base from which to launch their careers in the NHS. Olivia is evidence of this and is a true inspiration. We wish Olivia luck with the Regional awards"

The 'Our Health for Heroes Awards' ceremony takes place in London, on Wednesday, 20 November 2019.  If you would like to find out more or for information about the Apprenticeship courses we offer at Hugh Baird College, please visit:- HughBaird.AC.UK, or by calling:- 0151 353 4444.

Edge Hill academics support men's mental health programme

EDGE Hill University academics have helped a sporting charity secure funding to extend a successful mental health programme for men. The University's sport and mental Health Research Team were commissioned by Rugby League Cares (RL Cares) to explore the impact of their Offload programme which aims to improve men's mental health; the results have been made public to coincide with World Mental Health Day, that was held on Thursday, 10 October 2019.

Between 1 April 2017 and 30 September 2018, 972 men from some of England's most deprived communities, with a high prevalence of suicide, engaged in the Offload programme. After taking part, 78% of men reported feeling more aware of how to look after their health and wellbeing, and 74% felt better able to cope with everyday life.

The Edge Hill report has helped RL Cares secure a further grant from the National Lottery Community Fund which will enable Offload to continue for at least another two years in the three existing areas of Salford, Warrington and Widnes, with the ambition to expand into more rugby league communities.

Led by Professor Andy Smith and involving:- Research Assistant Rachel Wilcock, Dr David Haycock and Jon Jones, the Edge Hill team worked closely with Offload participants, RL Cares staff, former rugby league players, officials and clinical mental health experts to assess impact.

Professor Andy Smith said:- "We were delighted to undertake research which will positively impact on the mental health of men from some of the most disadvantaged communities in North West England. We worked with the clubs and delivery staff from State of Mind Sport to design ways of effectively engaging men taking part in Offload, and to allow them to develop positive ways of coping with the mental health challenges they experience. How many men revealed to us that the programme has literally saved their life is quite humbling and is testimony to the hard work of everyone involved."

A participant said:- "I can honestly say Offload saved my life. That night that I went to Offload for the very 1st time, I was planning to do it [attempt to take my own life] again, so I can't sing its praises enough to be honest. I wouldn't be here without it."

Funded by the Big Lottery and in partnership with State of Mind Sport, Offload aims to address low level mental health problems by inviting men to engage with current and former players at Salford Red Devils, Warrington Wolves and Widnes Vikings.

Participants are encouraged to become more aware of their own mental health and are equipped with tools and techniques to improve their wellbeing. Many specifically praised the group dynamic at 'fixtures,' the name given to Offload sessions. "The camaraderie… seeing the way lads interact… they're all at different levels but it doesn't really matter what level you're at, it just seems that everybody is genuinely concerned about everybody else as well, and you are a team."

The honesty of former players who shared their own experiences of mental health problems was also highlighted in participant responses: "Some of them are people I've admired because I am a rugby league fan. When I've seen what they've been through, it made it easier for me to offload my problems in front of a few people, which I wouldn't have done before."

Other benefits included increased confidence and self esteem, more willingness to talk about mental health and developing better coping mechanisms.

anouther participant said:- "I used to just turn to drugs and alcohol. That's what I used to do every weekend, most nights, but now I don't. Every time I feel down, I do something else that keeps me going, like exercise."

Rachel Wilcock, a research assistant on the project, said:- "Our research indicated that the brand of rugby league, and the clubs specifically, was initially effective in recruiting men to Offload and holding the fixtures in non clinical environments, using rugby league style language, was especially important for men. It encouraged them to seek support for their mental health, helped destigmatize mental illness and enabled men to take greater control over their lives."

Liam Parker, Health Manager at Rugby League Cares, commended the role played by the Edge Hill team in helping to increase engagement in Offload and ensuring participants experienced improved mental health. He said:- "The findings of their research provide compelling evidence of the impact of Offload and their support has been essential in us securing an extra 2 years funding to continue the life-saving work of the programme."

The Offload Evaluation Report is part of a wider programme of sport and mental health work carried out at Edge Hill University.  The Sport and Physical Activity Workforce Mental Health Survey is the 1st nationwide study of mental health in the sport and physical activity workforce and the Everton in the Community Partnership (link to website) aims to use the power of sport to motivate, educate and inspire people in local communities to live healthier lifestyles.