Mum creates app to be safe space for NHS workers

A mum is launching a new project that will help thousands of NHS workers.

Jennifer Sanchez, from Portsmouth, is launching a new app to help people deal with mental health issues brought on by working on the front-line throughout the pandemic.

The mum-of-three runs empowerment workshops and coaches people who are struggling mentally to take care of their mental wellbeing.

Jennifer, 35 said: ‘After being asked to deliver empowerment classes by several nurses from the NHS, one of whom even offered to pay for her whole team, I decided something had to be done.

‘I know the NHS provides some amazing resources for its staff, but I wanted to write something specific to make sure that it spoke directly to NHS staff and where they are in the present.

‘After group Zoom calls, telephone calls, podcasts and lots of research, I have put together a course to meet the same points that come up again and again.’

Jennifer has written the course to meet the biggest pain points that arose again and again and has collaborated with Thrive Academy to provide the management and leaders of the NHS suitable and realistic ways to support self-care and encourage and a nurturing environment.

The app, which is called Community Lounge App – or CLAPP for short – is £1 per month as a six-month pilot and in the app, staff from the NHS are able to relieve themselves from triggers that other social media might evoke for them and celebrate nurturing themselves.

Jennifer added: ‘Their time is so restricted that any self-care is perceived as a frivolity. Their status as superheroes has led to a culture of not even eating or drinking on a shift and believing that when things get hard that they need to suck it up and carry on.

‘This culture of putting everyone else first is what attracted many of them to their field but has also meant that they are running on empty.

‘For our NHS staff to look after the general public we need them to not only not only to look after themselves but to celebrate it without guilt.’

The app will act as a social media platform for healthcare workers to be able to express their concerns and have a safe space to discuss what they want without judgement.

The mum-of-three said: ‘I realised there’s only so much I can do with one-to-one or group coaching sessions and that there would be a lot of people out there still struggling and not being able to access coaching or talk to anyone who can give them advice.

‘I couldn’t bear the thought of people paying for help out of their own money and some even going without help.’

The course and various workshops will cover topics such as dealing with burnout, noticing and releasing anxiety and learning about resilience.

It will also feature various challenges for people to take part in, such as a 21-day challenge that covers many aspects of wellbeing, including productivity, gratitude and acceptance.

It will also cover manifesting and other ways to live as fulfilling a life as possible.