Today’s story is that of frontline staff and emerging leaders from across the entire NHS, coming together as volunteers to stand together and take ownership for transforming the NHS and the care they want to see for their patients. In addition to doing this, they are working together to support everyone to make those changes happen themselves.
The NHS Change Day coordinating volunteers, known often as the ‘Hubbies’, are a group of non-heriarchal volunteer coordinators, with roles ranging from cleaner to consultant, manager to student nurse. It is a role for which anyone can sign up. They coordinate NHS Change Day through setting up campaigns, speaking in their regions and organisations, and setting an example through taking action themselves. From actions which include the manager who spends weekends doing voluntary health care assistant shifts, to the patient who is working to improve partnership working with #HelloOURaimis, they do what they can to make a difference.
Working together through mediums such as the popular instant messenger Whatsapp, the hubbies support each other on a daily basis to take action and spread the message that anyone can really do something better together. This work culminates in a day of change and celebration, where everyone takes an action and shares it far and wide across the country - connecting across traditional boundaries: NHS Change Day.
Many people ask what is NHS Change Day? What is the point? NHS Change Day has come from and is powered by front line NHS staff who have partnered with senior leaders to learn and understand that they can really make the changes needed to transform the NHS.
Tracey Wells, Effectiveness and Innovation Manager at Midlands and Lancashire CSU, became a NHS Change Day volunteer last year. She spoke to us about why being a 'hubbie' has been so valuable for her.
“It’s about a year ago since I became part of the hubbie network. Reflecting on this and how my relationships within the network have developed over the past year, I find it remarkable the impact it has had on me and how I work.
Being part of the hubbie network, has broadened my understanding of the different functions of the NHS and given me a greater oversight of how things within the NHS fit together, which has helped me in my current role. More importantly, having this understanding and over sight has changed my mind-set. In the past I would become frustrated if I felt things were not working as well as they could. Through the confidence that I have gained from being part of the network, I now know I have the ability to do something about it and, even better, I have the virtual family network of hubbies, from a wealth of backgrounds in the NHS, to tap into for help on an equal level.
The wonderful thing about the social movement is I now find myself linking people in with each other and feel like I am giving back and this feels good to connect people in with each other.”
Thank you to all the volunteers who are helping to support a change for the better.