“Tired, hungry, emotionally-drained and exhausted”, were just a few of the words used by NHS staff throughout Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to describe how they felt during the pandemic.
In order to protect the wellbeing and welfare of our most valuable assets – our staff, Staff Havens were set up across several hospital sites throughout Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to provide an area of rest and recuperation.
Staff Havens were located at:
- University Hospital Llandough
- University Hospital of Wales
- Dragon’s Heart Hospital
Staff Havens were supported by donations received via Cardiff & Vale Health Charity. Providing snacks, meals, drinks and essentials to help staff get through their gruelling shifts was much needed. Toiletries were distributed so staff could take a shower after many hours wearing full PPE. Footwear, socks and clothing were distributed so that staff were more comfortable in their PPE. The Staff Havens were used as a hub to receive and distribute the incredibly generous donations from members of the public, local businesses and large organisations.
Meals and treat boxes were delivered to our smaller hospitals and community settings from the Staff Havens, so that even those who were distanced from the main hospitals also felt included and cared for during this unprecedented time.
Fundamental to the success of the Staff Havens was the regular provision of food for staff. Thousands of meals were served to staff courtesy of the #FeedTheHeath and Feed the NHS fundraising campaigns.
Nutritious and tasty meals were provided daily, via the #FeedTheHeath project, which included donations from up to 25 local restaurants and food suppliers and co-ordinated by Kasim Ali from Waterloo Tea.
Kasim said: “The end of March and beginning of April 2020 were times that will forever be etched in my memory. We were all told to stay home and our NHS hospital staff were to fight the war for us. When I visited the hospital the staff truly had the feel of soldiers about them. Going into battle, into the unknown, not knowing what the outcome would be and who amongst them would be affected.
“Staff were being asked to work longer hours, some unable to leave their wards to get food during a shift and with restaurants and cafes across the city being closed – we felt as members of the food and drinks industry we could help in some way. We understood that by us feeding them it wouldn’t magic away all the issues they faced, but it was a gesture from the city of Cardiff to them. We didn’t want staff eating fast food, high sugar, high salt, non-nutritious meals. We wanted to feed them with freshly cooked meals from the city’s finest establishments. So we did.”
James Sommerin, Feed The NHS and The Sausage Revolution also stepped in to help, serving thousands of portions of food cooked in their restaurant kitchens.
Lianne Daniels, Ward Sister on the Coronary Care Unit, at the University Hospital of Wales said: “On behalf of the nurses and team on the Coronary Care Unit, we would just like to thank you all for the array of meals and treats we have received in the past few weeks.
“It became a daily treat that certainly lifted the spirits! We feel very fortunate to have benefited from this.”
The Health Board would like to thank all its staff and amazing volunteers who ensured that the Staff Havens were available seven days a week and delivered meals and drinks across hospital sites to areas where staff were unable to leave their base. The Health Board is also immensely grateful for the wonderful generosity received from the public and local businesses which really helped to boost staff morale at such a challenging time.