In response to this statistic, ShinyMind has been co-created with the NHS, involving the feedback of healthcare professionals, to create a valuable resource to support with mental health challenges. The app’s evidence-based approach to wellbeing has been developed over five years of research and is proven to increase positivity among nurses, empowering them to understand their emotions and in turn, help them to more effectively cope with daily challenges.
To launch the new app, ShinyMind has enlisted the help of beloved British author and poet, Michael Rosen, who has written a brand new poem dedicated to hard working healthcare professionals. The poem will be recited for the first time by Michael Rosen at a nationwide virtual nursing event on 17th November.
Mr Rosen, reflecting on his dedicated poem and the launch of the app, said: “Nurses are the backbone of the NHS and have literally saved my life. The compassion and empathy these unsung heroes have is truly outstanding. I can’t thank them enough.”
“It is my absolute honour to pen and recite this specially commissioned piece dedicated to nurses at the launch of ShinyMind. Hopefully it will give them a small glimpse as to why they are so important to me and millions of others around the country.”
Chosen as an official launch site, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals (DBTH), alongside several other NHS Trusts, is hosting live events for the virtual launch on 17 November. The virtual event will tune in live to the site to hear from Jenny Hunt, Lead Professional Nurse Advocate in the Trust, who has led DBTH’s involvement in the launch.
Alongside special guest Michael Rosen, the online launch event ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ will feature a nursing panel discussing stress-reducing techniques, as well as an empowerment session delivered by the founder of the app and psychotherapist, Rebecca Howard.
In speaking about the upcoming launch event, Rebecca Howard, founder of ShinyMind, said: “I am delighted to launch the nursing version of ShinyMind. Having spent over five years developing ShinyMind, it’s great to finally share its resources with the nursing community who do so much for us all in the face of extraordinary challenges.”
“I can’t thank Michael enough for his involvement with ShinyMind and his dedication to the NHS and nurses in particular. I know that he is well-loved within the NHS and I am sure his gift will mean a great deal to everyone.”
The app will provide a range of useful resources, including a masterclass on assertiveness, CPD sessions and reflective supervision. To date, ShinyMind has been trialled by over 3,000 nurses and it’s free access aims to express thanks and gratitude for all the hard work of nurses within the NHS.
Simon Brown, Acting Deputy Chief Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Ensuring the optimisation of our staff’s health and wellbeing is an important part of providing outstanding care to our patients. As the pressures in the NHS increase as we head into winter, it is of the utmost importance we ensure nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers have the appropriate support in place.
“The ShinyMind app is a welcome addition to the nursing ‘toolbox’ and will help support our colleagues across the Trust to better cope with the increasing challenges they face on a daily basis. I encourage all nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers to download the app as a support to their wellbeing.”
To join the virtual ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup’ launch event, sign up for a ticket here .