Lord Mayor opens wellbeing room at K&C

A room dedicated to supporting staff wellbeing at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital was officially opened by the city’s Lord Mayor.

Cllr Jean Butcher cut the ribbon on Tuesday, watched by Lady Mayoress Diane Baldock and Sheriff of Canterbury Cllr Tom Mellish, as well as representatives from the hospital’s League of Friends, who funded the £15,000 transformation.

The room, in the main theatres area, was previously an office and storage area but is now a sanctuary for staff, with an adjustable privacy screen for the window, comfortable seating, and a woodland scene decorating the walls. There are also screens with blue sky and clouds on the ceiling, and the lighting can be dimmed.

Cllr Butcher said: “I’m delighted to open this wellbeing room and to see the focus on supporting staff.

“Wellbeing is paramount, and keeping staff happy and feeling valued will have benefits for patients too.”

The project was the brain child of theatres learning and development facilitator Iwona King, with assistance from health and safety link worker Jan Svajka and theatre coordinator Kylie Brown, and support from theatres matron Ed Curtin.

Iwona said: “I wanted something that would bring people together and encourage respect for everyone, so it is a multi-use, multi-faith space for anyone to use.

“We don't see each other based on any specific labels or categories — whether it's ethnicity, skin colour, or any other factor. Instead, we recognise that we're all part of the human family, and each individual matters equally.

“As healthcare professionals I think we can forget to look after ourselves. By creating this wellbeing room and changing the mental wellbeing culture, with a more positive approach to holistic wellbeing, staff will be able to give the best quality care because they feel invested in, looked after and valued.”

Ed said: “We are very grateful to the League of Friends for funding this wellbeing room. The benefits are already noticeable and it is a space where people feel can safe and cared for.

“I think it is a very positive move in terms of supporting mental health across the whole team and I know it will be very well-used.”

League chairman Louise Coleman said funding came from the profits generated by the charity’s hospital shops and daily ward trolley service for staff and patients.

She said: “We were delighted to be able to support this project. I know from my time working in the critical care unit how useful such a space will be for staff when they need to take a few minutes for themselves.

“Everyone who has bought a sandwich, drink or newspaper from the League’s shops or ward trolley has helped make this room a reality so we owe all our customers, together with our shops’ staff and volunteers, a big thank you as well.”