6006 Thriving, not just surviving – building a happier, more effective team

Objectives In order to build a brighter future for children, we must ensure they are healthy. A resilient, positive and connected healthcare team is much more likely to deliver this. We instituted a programme of wellness and joyful activities over many years to embed this positive team culture. We built a communal garden in a disused space in the hospital grounds. This fostered enduring links within the team, closer communication, and strong personal and professional relationships. In doing so, we collectively formed a team identity based around the words 'Kind, Creative, Unique'. Methods Team Activities: Regular team activities were initiated over a 5 year period. These included an annual weekend away incorporating healing and nourishing pastimes such as walking, massage, yoga, cooking; camping trips with families and social gatherings. Away days allowed us to reflect on our team values and incorporate ways of embedding them further eg welcoming and inviting new team members prior to their start date and informal mentoring programmes. On average all members of the team have been on a minimum of x3 of these events per annum. Garden Space: We also built a garden for the multidisciplinary team in a disused part of the hospital that was previously used for pipes, hospital laundry bags and old generators. Funding was obtained from a local charity grant and a local school, and as momentum grew, trees were donated from a charity which rehomes plants from Chelsea Flower Show. Hospital volunteers helped tend and plant the garden along with members of the MDT. The garden is now used daily as a social space, a place for a quiet break, or for meetings or feedback sessions. A local mosaic artists group made a mural with our team values – 'kind, creative, unique'. A survey monkey was generated in which the team were able to feedback on the impact of these activities using likert scales, and the results collated (table 1). Results Qualitative feedback included comments such as; 'I've had conversations with colleagues I hadn't spoken to before' 'I use it to reflect on my work and issues around management plans' Conclusion Developing a strong sense of team and shared values creates in turn a strong positive and productive workforce. Persistence and imagination are key in looking for opportunities to actively build these traits. This supportive environment and communal garden space has brought the team together, enhanced physical and mental wellbeing and provided a safe space for everyone to relax together. Other teams can develop their own programmes or spaces – our methods would be applicable to many settings, even in an NHS with limited funds, and we would be happy to share our experiences to guide other teams.