Mind Matters launches competition to encourage practices to be innovative in looking after team wellbeing

The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) is launching an innovation competition to find the best ideas on how the veterinary team can enhance mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Innovation in Wellbeing competition is encouraging veterinary teams to think of new and inventive ideas for supporting each other, boosting morale and encouraging a sense of togetherness and community-spirit at a time when they are having to physically distance from each other and may only be communicating remotely.

Up to 10 prizes of £300 each are available to veterinary teams from across the UK to help practices and other veterinary workplaces deliver innovative ways of ensuring that the wellbeing of individuals within the team is being considered and looked after.

Lisa Quigley, Mind Matters Manager, commented: “The Innovation in Wellbeing competition recognises that, due to the lockdown and social distancing, many members of the profession will be unable to undertake some of those usual activities that help them improve their wellbeing – whether that’s socialising with friends, going to exercise classes or attending cultural events and venues. Added to that there’s also a great deal of anxiety around the health and welfare of family, friends and ourselves, so it is important that, even if they are physically distant, teams can continue to look after each other.

"However, now is the perfect time to be thinking a little more innovatively about how we look after ourselves and each other. This competition will be judged on a number of criteria, including ingenuity, how it impacts on team wellbeing and morale, and cost-effectiveness. Winners will be showcased on the Mind Matters website and social media, so that others can learn from their amazing ideas.”

Entries to the competition must be submitted to MMI Manager Lisa Quigley ([email protected]) by 5pm on Friday 29 May 2020. There is no set way of completing the entry so they may be submitted in a number of forms, including written proposals, posters and videos.

Proposals should include a description of how the £300 prize money will be used to help deliver a new wellbeing project or enhance an existing one, as well as details of the practice/place of work. Further details about the competition are available on the Mind Matters website.