Health&Hustle 2020 Review

Looking back over the year, I have very mixed feelings about how the year went.  Like everyone we have been through lockdown, lost family members and also lost our dog Jasper.  All sorts of emotions have been experienced, however along with the negative feelings we have experienced some positive ones.  Working for the NHS has been a whirlwind this year from setting up respiratory hubs to now setting up mass Vaccination centres, along with one of the biggest digital transformation of infrastructure and online digital solutions.  I feel lucky that I have had the opportunity to work with some inspiring GPs, Nurses, Practice Managers, Practice IT Managers, Administrators, PPG members and volunteers.

Some would say that would be enough to keep you busy, however the Health&Hustle has still required the same attention under COVID along with work.  I never realised that the hustle would be a vital element in staff and patients health and wellbeing.

From the start of the pandemic we have managed to keep going with virtual challenges and set up various support groups through WhatsApp.  We have expanded the hustle to our friends at the NHS Business Service Authority and Wye Valley NHS Trust who both have teams in the challenges.  Due to the restrictions throughout the year members have taken part in a number of events.  We have raced the route of the Avon with RUH colleagues at Bath, taken part in the Gloucester 10km virtual event, completed another couch to 5km programme in between lockdown.  It took a little longer but we did it.  As I write this review our big challenge has to be the Hope for Tomorrow’s 1000mile challenge in a year.  Some have completed the challenge in 6 months raising over £10k so far with another 6 months to go.  December wouldn’t be the same without the annual yearly Christmas run.  Small in numbers but we still got out for the run and also covered 5km towards the December daily dash for Sue Ryder.

With all events moving onto a digital platform the hustle has filled the gap where other sports could not.  With support from BBC Gloucestershire and Nicky Price we have been on the radio as part of the making a difference programme, which has been great in promoting the hustle and the charities we have supported.  More events have taken place including presenting on behalf of Fitbit Health Solutions at the digital HPN event as part of the organisation development strand of work.  The success of this year has also seen a soft launch of our H8H Change Makers to help promote the Health&Hustle in organisations to ensure we offer and reach out for all staff who want to be more active.  Did you know the Hustle is part of the We Can Move council chaired by the CEO of Active Gloucestershire? Did you know we are also part of the We Can Move Change Makers programme? These are important aspects to be involved with and be recognised in Gloucestershire, which is great news and allows us to also contribute to the Active Gloucestershire strategy.

I’m sure there are many more successes, but none of these would not of been possible without the strong membership we have in place.  We continue to provide the hustle based on the NHS values and look forward to 2021 when next year will be a better year.  We are working on more challenges to give everyone the opportunity to be involved in some shape or form and eventually when we come out of lockdown, look forward to putting on some events where we can meet up and enjoy the benefits of being active and achieving these together.  Thank you for your support, keep active and stay safe.