Below, you will find information on all the sessions running on Thursday the 25th of June for National Wellbeing Week. Click on the session titles for details and links to register.
Return to the Wellbeing Week Homepage to check out the programmes for the rest of the week.
Thursday 25th June, 10:00am – 10:50am
Menopause – it’s something many of us will experience, yet for years it’s been talked about in hushed tones… or not at all. Suddenly, it’s everywhere on social media, in workplaces, in the news so why are we talking about it so much now, and what’s changed?
In this relaxed and honest session, we’ll break down what menopause actually is (no jargon, no confusion), explore the different types from natural to surgical and look at why no two experiences are ever quite the same.
We’ll also make sense of the ever-growing world of menopause advice and support. From HRT to lifestyle changes, and are we better informed, or just completely overwhelmed?
Along the way, I’ll share my own personal experience of navigating menopause; the surprises, the challenges, the moments that made me laugh (eventually!), and the reality of trying to figure it all out in a sea of information.
This session is about creating space for understanding, reassurance, and a bit of humour too because sometimes, if we didn’t laugh, we’d probably cry… and then forget why we walked into the room in the first place.
Whether you’re experiencing menopause, approaching it, supporting someone else, or just curious to learn more you’re very welcome to join the conversation.
Presenter: Joanna Dunbar, Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association
Thursday 25th June, 10:00am – 11:30am
Parenting a neurodivergent child or teenager can bring deep connection and meaning, but it can also involve significant emotional, practical, and systemic pressures. This session will create space to reflect on the psychological realities of parenting within neurodivergent families, without unrealistic expectations about what “self-care” should look like.
Drawing on psychological research and clinical (and personal) experience, we will explore ideas around self-compassion, values-led parenting, and responding to needs rather than external expectations. The session will consider how parents can support their child while also approaching their own wellbeing with greater kindness and realism, even when time, energy, and resources are limited.
Rather than offering prescriptive solutions, the aim is to share perspectives and evidence-informed ideas that may help parents feel less alone, more understood, and more able to approach parenting in ways that align with their family’s values and circumstances.
Presenter: Dr Hollie Burnett, St Andrews University and NHS Fife
Thursday 25th June, 10:30am – 11:30am
Are you about to retire from the NHS in Scotland and wondering what retirement might look like? In this session you can find out more about the NHS Retirement Fellowship, the only charity supporting retired and retiring NHS staff. Hear how membership of our charity can lead to a variety of social, educational and welfare opportunities and to remain as part of the NHS family as well as giving you access to a growing range of benefits and discounts. We will also share some tips from our current members on how to transition into retirement.
Presenter: Lucia Hiden, NHS Retirement Fellowship
Thursday 25th June, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Join us for a 1-hour session as we explore Self Care and Leadership through the lens of hurry and constantly being busy.
We will explore hurry and the impact on us and others, before taking the current research on spaciousness as a practice. We will then draw this together to in a practical approach to self-care which can be applied to support ourselves, our teams, and our organisational culture.
Presenter: Michaela Pagani, Public Services Delivery Scotland
Thursday 25th June, 11:00am – 12:00pm
This will be an informative session developed around three key themes:
• Recognising symptoms of menopause
• What you can do, when to ask for help
• How to get the most out of your menopause/HRT consultation, including preparing for the consultation and what to try if things are going off track.
Presenter: Public Health Delivery Scotland, CPD Connect Team
Thursday 25th June, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Come Along to YOUR Credit Union Workshop & Let’s Get Money Smart Together!
Whether you work in the NHS, HSCP, or third sector, you’re invited to join us for a friendly online session. Guided by our commitment to compassionate leadership, we’ll share who we are, what we do, and how we support you with understanding, fairness, and practical help—so you can feel more confident and in control of your money.
Presenter: Audrey Malloy, NHS Credit Union
Thursday 25th June, 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Join us for a gentle yoga session. Enjoy this gentle practice from the comfort of your own home. Just grab your mat, wear comfortable clothes and take time to relax.
Presenter: Enrique Maese, Scottish Government
Thursday 25th June, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Join us for a 1-hour session exploring Stephen Covey’s Circles of Influence and how they can boost your wellbeing. We’ll look at where you focus your time and energy, what you can genuinely influence, and how to let go of what’s outside your control. Through relaxed reflection, you’ll uncover practical ways to feel more confident and empowered – personally, professionally, and with your team.
Presenter: Claire MacFarlane & Alison Johnstone, Public Services Delivery Scotland
Thursday 25th June, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
This session, “Enhancing Practitioner Wellbeing with Values-Based Reflective Practice (VBRP): Advancing Person-Centred Care through Reflective Practice,” will introduce attendees to the VBRP® model, a group reflection model designed to help practitioners reconnect with their core values and motivations. Through facilitated VBRP®, participants will gain a structured framework to reflect on the intersection of their personal values and professional experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of how these elements influence their daily practice.
The session will cover how VBRP® supports reflective practice, enabling health and social care professionals across various disciplines to deliver compassionate, safe, and person-centred care. Attendees will explore the importance of values-based practice in enhancing emotional awareness and resilience, ultimately contributing to improved wellbeing and effective care delivery.
Join us to discover how VBRP® can transform your approach to care by aligning your actions with your intrinsic values, ensuring that your practice remains person-centred and fulfilling.
Presenter: Lynne Innes & Suzie Roberts, NHS Fife
Thursday 25th June, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
This session will explore some of the key principles of bereavement and how in the course of our work we might all be involved in supporting others who have experienced loss (e.g. family members, patients, clients or perhaps a colleague). This includes those working in non-clinical, administrative and other support roles, as well as staff in teams which are directly patient or client-facing. Knowing how to manage a bereavement-related situation is important – so we as staff can support and help other people, whilst also looking after our own wellbeing. But thinking of what to say to someone who is bereaved, may feel daunting.
This session will provide an introduction to grief and bereavement and will aim to ensure that attendees go away with more confidence, having gained knowledge, practical tips and information on additional learning materials.
Please note this session will cover a range of different topics related to death, dying and bereavement. It will be presented in a sensitive manner and signposting to available sources of support will be provided.
Presenter: Dr Clare Tucker, Public Services Delivery Scotland
Thursday 25th June, 2:00pm – 3:00pm
This 50 minute interactive session is suitable for all those delivering an NHS service, including current and former employees, trainees, students, volunteers and contractors, who want a clearer understanding of the process for raising a concern and the support available at every stage. This session will explore what speaking up and whistleblowing means within the NHS, how the process works in practice, and what help and protections are available to those who speak up.
The session will explain:
• when and how to raise a concern
• the process set out in the National Whistleblowing Standards
• the role of the INWO
• what to expect when you raise a concern and
• where to access confidential advice and ongoing support.
Presenter: Alison Fenech and Caroline McDowall, NHS Lothian
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