Nottinghamshire care group extends successful wellbeing support service to relatives of residents across its homes
A Nottinghamshire care group is opening its long-running staff wellbeing service to relatives of residents across its five homes – placing emotional wellbeing at the heart of its approach.
Church Farm Care has delivered confidential wellbeing sessions to staff for the past nine years, offering a safe space to talk openly about personal and professional challenges. Following its success, the service has now been formally extended to relatives, starting at Skylarks and rolling out across the group’s five homes.
The sessions are led by Learning and Development Manager Liz Norton, who provides one-to-one wellbeing and professional advocacy support one day a month in each home. Both staff and relatives can attend sessions at any Church Farm Care location, ensuring flexibility and accessibility.
The service grew naturally from conversations with staff who stayed behind after training sessions to talk through issues affecting their work or home life.
Liz said: “Being fully listened to is incredibly rare. When people finally have that space, it can be powerful. It allows them to be honest, emotional, and to say things they may not feel able to share anywhere else.”
Supported by Mental Health First Aid training and backed by the owners of Church Farm Care, the service now supports up to eight people per wellbeing day. It is open to nurses, carers and wider staff, as well as relatives navigating the emotional journey of having a loved one in care.
“Being a nurse doesn’t mean you have to cope alone,” Liz added. “Our nurses carry huge responsibility, but they are also human beings dealing with grief, illness and life pressures. These sessions give them permission to pause. We hope relatives will also find reassurance, support and guidance – whether that’s talking through difficult emotions or learning how to make the most of visits.”
Feedback from staff highlights the real-world impact of the service, with individuals sharing that the sessions have helped them remain in work, feel supported without judgement, and cope during challenging periods. One member of staff said: “Being a nurse doesn’t mean you have to cope alone, it’s good to have someone to talk to,” while another said: “I can be really honest about what I am going through and never feel judged, it really is a safe space.”
Lucy Atkinson, co-owner of Church Farm Care, said: “This service reflects our commitment to compassionate, relationship-focused care – not only for residents, but for everyone who supports them. We will continue to develop the service throughout 2026 to ensure wellbeing remains central to life across our homes.”
For more information about Church Farm Care, visit www.churchfarmcare.co.uk.