Abbeygail Jones, Shuo Zhang, Amy Woodburn, Sarah Dorrington, Alison Beck and Helen Winter
The health and well-being of healthcare staff came into focus during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as already strained workforces responded to new and…
Abstract
Purpose
The health and well-being of healthcare staff came into focus during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as already strained workforces responded to new and additional challenges. Organisational support services made efforts to adapt staff support provision. However, most literature and recommendations are centred on surveys of medical and clinical staff. The present study included staff across clinical and non-clinical workforces within a mental health trust over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic to date, and aimed to understand workforces' access to and experiences of organisational support.
Design/methodology/approach
The current study was a qualitative one using convenience and purposive sampling. Semi-structured individual and group interviews were conducted using a topic guide. Reflexive thematic analysis was used in a phenomenological framework to analyse data.
Findings
35 staff, broadly representative of the trust workforce, were recruited. Six global themes summarised the experiences of staff in relation to work practices, personal well-being and support access over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: COVID-19 disease, interpersonal relationships, individual considerations, change, working environment and support.
Practical implications
The findings from the study have implications for organisational support provisions for healthcare workers and the dissemination of these services.
Originality/value
Acknowledging the multi-various experiences of different workforces within National Healthcare Service organisations and how these change over time will facilitate innovative changes to staff support provision.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to report findings from a North East (of England) study co‐financed by the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council to explore the issues around…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to report findings from a North East (of England) study co‐financed by the European Social Fund and the Learning and Skills Council to explore the issues around the provision of vocational training for women in Northumberland, focusing on the construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors. The aim of the research was to investigate the extent to which current vocational training provision is adequately meeting the needs of both women learners and employers in Northumberland.
Design/methodology/approach
The research consisted of a survey of learning providers in Northumberland and the immediate surrounding areas; interviews with local and regional policy makers, practitioners and service providers; interviews with local employers based in the construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors; and finally, focus groups and interviews with a range of women across the county.
Findings
First, the research implies that the social and cultural context of Northumberland and the wider North East region is an important factor in explaining the position of women in non‐traditional occupations in Northumberland. The research also implies that at present careers in the construction, engineering and manufacturing industries are not being promoted effectively to young people, particularly within schools. Finally, at all levels there is a clear need for the various agencies responsible for promoting non‐traditional occupations to women to work together more effectively.
Originality/value
This paper is of value to employers, policy makers and service providers seeking to encourage more young women into non‐traditional occupations, particularly within Northumberland and the North East region.
Details
Keywords
THE Reference Department of Paisley Central Library today occupies the room which was the original Public Library built in 1870 and opened to the public in April 1871. Since that…
Abstract
THE Reference Department of Paisley Central Library today occupies the room which was the original Public Library built in 1870 and opened to the public in April 1871. Since that date two extensions to the building have taken place. The first, in 1882, provided a separate room for both Reference and Lending libraries; the second, opened in 1938, provided a new Children's Department. Together with the original cost of the building, these extensions were entirely financed by Sir Peter Coats, James Coats of Auchendrane and Daniel Coats respectively. The people of Paisley indeed owe much to this one family, whose generosity was great. They not only provided the capital required but continued to donate many useful and often extremely valuable works of reference over the many years that followed. In 1975 Paisley Library was incorporated in the new Renfrew District library service.