Jodie introduces thank-you cards at Buttercup Close

Jodie Baker, Club Rep from The Lodge and Buttercup Close

Hi everyone, I’m Jodie, and I want to share the thinking behind introducing some appreciation cards from the people we support to the staff who support them.

In the September Club Wellgate update, Ash, our Club Director, shared a blog called Why looking after ourselves makes us better at looking after others that included some really helpful links about mental health awareness. Then we had the Club Wellgate awards ceremony, which was really emotional and such a wholesome event. Both were on my mind when I started chatting with our tenants, or as I refer to them, our lads at Buttercup Close and The Lodge.

I asked them who had made a difference to them, and why. My plan was that our next monthly Shout Out would come from them, rather than from us. I ran the idea past both Terrys (Terry Loftus, Service Manager and Terri Searson, our Deputy Manager), and they agreed it would be a nice approach.

Once I’d spoken to everyone individually, I realised every member of staff across both houses had something lovely to say about them. I couldn’t choose. So I decided to keep it quiet and not suggest a nomination to either of the Terrys.

Here’s what I did instead. Everyone loves to hear something lovely about themselves, and everyone deserves to. So I sneaked some little appreciation cards into both offices. They were from the lads to the staff, and I’m just the middleman. I’d hoped to stay anonymous, but staff realised it was me.

Since then, I’ve had some great feedback. My work family have really loved receiving them, and so many people have said it gave them the little boost they needed.

It also brought something up. One of our night staff told me that only a week before, she’d said to someone that she sometimes feels a bit excluded, a bit out of sight, out of mind. Night staff are lone workers, so people aren’t around to see the difference they make. And day staff have more opportunities to shine, and different ones, than those who come up overnight. The cards made her feel more included.

That’s lovely, but it’s a little bit sad too. Our night staff do an amazing job and are every bit as important as our day staff. I completely understand where she’s coming from. And if some of our night staff feel this way, others may feel the same in other settings.

So here’s what I’m doing next. When I’m in work, I’m going to talk to both Terrys about how we can bridge that gap, so everyone feels as valued and recognised as everyone else. I’ll also talk to our other night staff when I see them, to find out whether this is a general feeling across the night team. And I’ll talk to them about how they can share suggestions with Ash or me, so we can prevent it.

To me, that's Being Wellgate.

If you work nights, or feel out of sight in your service, I’d love to hear from you. Tell me, or email Ash at ash.akhtar@clubwellgate.com, and we’ll make sure your ideas get heard.

Jodie Baker
Club Rep, The Lodge and Buttercup Close